How to Throw a Customer Appreciation Party

Customers like the idea of getting special treatment from brands they regularly shop with. That’s why when they find free samples or get access to free vouchers, they are likely to place the brand in their list of favorites.

Question is, how do you set yourself apart from others in the business?

No doubt, the use of live chat for customer service can help you build a delightful experience and make the customers feel special by:

• Answering their questions instantly
• Being more proactive so they don’t approach you for their questions
• Implementing their feedback received through post-chat survey form
• Improving services based on their needs and previous experience with the brand

But, what else can you do to make your customers feel appreciated?

You obviously like to be in their list of favorite brands too. However, too much competition has lead to a division of customers. Even with online customers, sending out vouchers seems like a common idea. Customers look for more ways in which a brand can make them feel appreciated.

So, what’s your way of making your customers feel appreciated?

Well, how about throwing a customer appreciation party?

What is a Customer Appreciation Party?

It may sound a little odd and peculiar at first, but a customer appreciation party is nothing more than a live, in-person event. Such events can help you to connect with customers and thank them for everything they bring to the table.

You may think, “why does it sound like comic-cons?”. Well, they do give such an impression. Except, you can launch your new products, provide free samples, and help customers leave with a memorable experience.

Obviously, you may have different customer appreciation party ideas. You’d probably like to:

• Interact more with customers
• Display your new products so they could explore them at length
• Provide goodies to the first 100 arriving invitees
• Hand them souvenirs before they leave the event

Such customer appreciation event ideas can help you keep customers engaged with your brand. What’s more, you can also understand whether they were happy with the event and if in future you organize another such party for them, they’ll join you again or not.

How to Throw a Successful Customer Appreciation Party

Now, before you send customer appreciation party invitations, it is important that you understand how to plan the event at length. As is the case with any event or party, there’s a lot of pressure to make it a success. And in order to make sure the event strengthens your brand’s reputation and enhances your relationship with the customers, it’s imperative that you do some legwork on the front end.

1. Treat it Like a Real Party

The issue a lot of companies run into when trying to throw a customer appreciation party is that they try to walk the line between “fun party” and “corporate event.” Throw the idea of a corporate event out the window. This is a party and should be treated as such.

This means doing everything you would do under normal circumstances. Send out invites (virtual invitations are great) to create interest and excitement among people. Spend time to decide about food, drinks, and entertainment. All of these little details matter tremendously.

2. Keep Context in Mind

Brand consistency is a big deal, which means you need to keep context in mind when planning and executing your customer appreciation party.

“If you’re a provider of premium, cutting edge digital and technology services that are designed to revolution business, a sausage sizzle in the park probably isn’t going to cut it,” said event planner Dan Udall. “Equally if you’re selling professional fitness and health care services to a corporate client base, a calorie filled cheese fondue and chocolate tasting degustation wouldn’t be perceived as congruent to your core values (unless you’re trying to be ironic!).”

3. Carefully Choose Your Guest List

While the term “customer appreciation” indicates that you’re inviting customers, you don’t have to restrict your guest list to current and past customers. It’s also a good idea to invite a healthy share of prospects as well.

Consider inviting one prospect to every three or four customers. This will ensure the majority of attendees are customers and also allow you to sprinkle in some prospects who will be exposed to your brand.

4. Never Aim to Sell

A customer appreciation party is all about thanking your customers for helping your business grow. Under no circumstances, a business should focus on active selling during a client appreciation party. Instruct your employees to refrain from sales talk. In fact, the focus should be placed on building relationships. If a guest brings up a sales conversation, advise your employees to schedule a meeting or phone call at a later time.

5. Make Your Party a Hit

Throwing a customer appreciation party can feel a bit like throwing your first party in high school or college. You want people to show up and painstakingly review every minor detail to make sure everything is perfect. And while it can seem stressful in the days leading up to the event, a well-executed party will make it all worth it in the end.

Start Sending Out Customer Appreciation Party Invitations

It is essential to understand how to plan a client appreciation event successfully as they are capable of improving:

• Client satisfaction levels
• Boost retention
• Enhance referrals
• Bring new sales

Although, a client appreciation event is capable of boosting the image of a brand and bring good PR. However, at the same time a business needs to ensure that top class client support is offered to boost sales, RoI.

So, start sending out the party invitations once you plan the event for your customers.