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As their business grows, it’s all too easy for business owners to get swept up in the numbers and forget that there are real people behind their profits. If they want to continue to succeed, it’s key that they make their customers feel valued and that they truly care about them and their experience with the brand.
There are a multitude of ways to do this, from simply listening to customer feedback to providing excellent customer service, but it’s often a combination of methods that makes the biggest difference in how customers feel. Below, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council draw on their experiences working with customers to offer up seven of the top ways businesses can make customers feel valued and ensure they return to your business again and again.
Refer to Them by Name
An incredibly simple thing to make customers feel seen is to constantly refer to them by name. This includes in-person, email, phone or even through SMS marketing. That small, personalized touch immediately creates a deeper sense of connection. – King Holder, PROCUSSION
Listen and Address Concerns Promptly
At GRAV, we believe in focusing on customer support, ensuring each interaction is personalized and solution-focused. By actively listening, promptly addressing concerns and going the extra mile to resolve issues, we show customers they are valued, fostering loyalty and repeat business. This commitment to exceptional support is key to maintaining customer satisfaction and trust. – Red Rodriguez, GRAV
Offer a Simple Smile
Say hello. Smile. Regardless of how busy you are, eye contact and a smile with a possible “I’ll be right with you” make all the difference in the world. People are choosing where to spend their money and will leave an establishment if they feel invisible. For online, if it takes too many hoops to get what they want or need, or there’s a chatbot that sends them in circles, they will not spend their money with you. – Susan Johnston, New Media Film Festival®
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Tailor Their Experience to Them
You can make your customers feel valued by having personalized interactions with them, listening attentively to their feedback and addressing their needs promptly and genuinely. Tailoring experiences and showing appreciation through personalized messages, special offers or follow-ups fosters a sense of importance, nurturing customer loyalty and retention. – Sonia Singh, Center of Inner Transformations
Introduce Them to Your Team
It’s easier for customers to feel a connection with people than with brands. So, introduce your team. Send a welcome email from the founders explaining their values and walking you through the origin story. Build marketing content that features your team members discussing their projects and the impact they aim to make. If your audience connects personally, they’ll stick around for years. – Gregg Lehrman, Output
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
One effective way a business can make its customers feel valued is by providing exceptional customer service. This includes being attentive to their needs, resolving issues promptly and showing genuine empathy and appreciation for their patronage. Customers who experience excellent service are more likely to return and become loyal to the business. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
Take Their Feedback and Needs Into Account
Make a habit of responding to customer feedback and incorporating their suggestions into your business practices. Create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in your store or office to make customers feel comfortable and appreciated. Also, show appreciation for your customers by offering personalized discounts or rewards based on their preferences and purchases. – Mark Paulda, Mark Paulda & Co
