The Art of Appreciation: Saying "Thanks" to Your Clients

Okay, it's been said before I know, but just to add one more voice to the chorus, these economic times are a challenge indeed. Drumming up new business is a tough task to be sure. But there is an untapped resource that you may have overlooked. So what better time to uncork that resource and reap the benefits?

I am talking about your current client base. These jewels of data are a goldmine, or at lease can prove to be, if you mine them correctly. In future entries we will discuss some ways to finesse your client base to your best advantage. But for this entry, we are going to offer you a suggestion that you should have already thought of before. A client appreciation event.

Now I know what you're saying, I can't afford to do that! While that may be true, with a bit of charm and tenacity, you may find such an event can be quite a bit less expensive than you anticipated. More on that in a moment, for now let's start at the very beginning. The planning!

Planning such an event can seem a bit daunting, but it doesn't have to. With enough advance work, your event can go off without a hitch. That is the primary tip; give yourself ample time to plan. Plan out your list of attendees, and then begin fitting that number into a venue of your choosing. You want to allow enough space for all your guests to be comfortable, but not so much space that the venue has a barn-like feeling. An intimate setting is nice, but make certain here is ample lighting for your clients to see two feet in front of themselves. In short choose a space that you an your guests will be comfortable in. Then add the rest of the trapping afterward.

Once you've selected your venue, get those invites out as soon as possible. You want to give folks ample time to commit to your event, and the more advance you give, the better your chances are of a good turn out. Another idea is to encourage your guests to bring one guest of their choice with them. Voila! You now have a room full of new prospects! Wasn't that simple?

Next, what do you serve? Well, this is where that creative budgeting can come in handy. So if you are ready, hang on ; this goes pretty fast...

No matter where you live, there is some new gathering place opening all the time. All these places need publicity and promotion as badly as you do. So what about a cooperative partnership? You bring the bodies, they provide you with some hors d'oeuvres and drink tickets? Or for a discounted fee, you will host a sit down in their restaurant to help roll out their new menu? Get the connection?

Maybe you want to do something a bit different. Invite your guests to a local gallery space, or clothing boutique. Enlist a couple of friends to act as servers and have them circulate with glasses of wine, and trays of cheeses. Note: Red wine is a no-no! Always serve white, and you'll keep any little "accidents" to a minimum. And as always, offer lots of nonalcoholic beverages as alternatives.

Now, see the benefit of a client appreciation event? You have re-introduced yourself to a room full of people that already know you and the quality service you provide. And you have introduced yourself to a new crop of prospects your clients have brought with them. Sounds like a win/win to me...how about you?