5 Creative Ways to Keep in Touch With Past Clients
Find out how keeping communication lines open can help you grow your business
2. Send Personalized Emails
Sending personalized messages to past clients can maintain a strong and genuine connection. You can send these emails for any reason, from saying “happy birthday” to sending them interesting information related to the project you worked on with them.
“It’s important to keep in touch with past clients because we do get repeat work and referrals,” says Rhoda Fry of Bill Fry Construction in Cupertino, California. “Usually if something comes up that we think would be of interest to them, we’ll send them an email. It could be an upcoming sale at a lighting store, or more often something more personal, like an event for their kids or a lecture on a topic that interests them. We usually contact them one to four times a year.”
3. Send an Email Newsletter
Email newsletters are a great way to stay top-of-mind without seeming pushy. Send a monthly or quarterly newsletter to your past and current client base with regular updates, announcing any sales or sharing relevant tips to keep them aware of your business.
“We have a pretty active email newsletter campaign that we push out twice a month,” says Dave Marciniak of Revolutionary Gardens in Culpeper, Virginia. “It’s not really an aggressive sales pitch. It features upcoming events and tips for the garden. We get a really good response rate, and that definitely helps us stay on their mind.”
Unlike personalized emails, newsletters can be sent in bulk, which can save time.
4. Host an Event
Hosting an event such as a holiday party or Fourth of July barbecue provides a fun environment for former clients to speak to others in your network who may be in need of your services.
“I have a Christmas party for clients, family and close friends,” Foster says. “They talk among themselves at the Christmas party. I benefit when clients tell others about their positive experience with my company and team.”
5. Send Gifts
Impress clients by giving them a token of your appreciation for their business. A unique gift will remind clients of your company and, if placed somewhere prominently in their home, could be a conversation starter that may result in a referral.
“After the project is completed, we give the clients a thank-you note and gift,” says Roger Soares II of Hydroscapes in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Since we are a swimming pool company, our favorite gift is personalized beach-pool towels. We send plush towels in colors coordinated to match the project. Every time they go swimming and use our towels, they think of us.”
Tell us: What do you do to stay in contact with former clients? Let us know in the Comments below.
This story was written by the Houzz Industry Marketing team.
LEARN MORE: Download our free Houzz e-book to get tips to grow your business.
Read More: 10 Things They Don’t Teach You in School | See more Pro Tips
Sending personalized messages to past clients can maintain a strong and genuine connection. You can send these emails for any reason, from saying “happy birthday” to sending them interesting information related to the project you worked on with them.
“It’s important to keep in touch with past clients because we do get repeat work and referrals,” says Rhoda Fry of Bill Fry Construction in Cupertino, California. “Usually if something comes up that we think would be of interest to them, we’ll send them an email. It could be an upcoming sale at a lighting store, or more often something more personal, like an event for their kids or a lecture on a topic that interests them. We usually contact them one to four times a year.”
3. Send an Email Newsletter
Email newsletters are a great way to stay top-of-mind without seeming pushy. Send a monthly or quarterly newsletter to your past and current client base with regular updates, announcing any sales or sharing relevant tips to keep them aware of your business.
“We have a pretty active email newsletter campaign that we push out twice a month,” says Dave Marciniak of Revolutionary Gardens in Culpeper, Virginia. “It’s not really an aggressive sales pitch. It features upcoming events and tips for the garden. We get a really good response rate, and that definitely helps us stay on their mind.”
Unlike personalized emails, newsletters can be sent in bulk, which can save time.
4. Host an Event
Hosting an event such as a holiday party or Fourth of July barbecue provides a fun environment for former clients to speak to others in your network who may be in need of your services.
“I have a Christmas party for clients, family and close friends,” Foster says. “They talk among themselves at the Christmas party. I benefit when clients tell others about their positive experience with my company and team.”
5. Send Gifts
Impress clients by giving them a token of your appreciation for their business. A unique gift will remind clients of your company and, if placed somewhere prominently in their home, could be a conversation starter that may result in a referral.
“After the project is completed, we give the clients a thank-you note and gift,” says Roger Soares II of Hydroscapes in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Since we are a swimming pool company, our favorite gift is personalized beach-pool towels. We send plush towels in colors coordinated to match the project. Every time they go swimming and use our towels, they think of us.”
Tell us: What do you do to stay in contact with former clients? Let us know in the Comments below.
This story was written by the Houzz Industry Marketing team.
LEARN MORE: Download our free Houzz e-book to get tips to grow your business.
Read More: 10 Things They Don’t Teach You in School | See more Pro Tips
“Most of my clients are happy that I keep in touch even after the job is completed,” says Pamela Foster of Pamela Foster & Associates in Sandy Springs, Georgia. “It makes them comfortable to call me regarding follow-up questions and future renovation needs.”
Keep reading for some useful tips and techniques to stay in contact with clients even after the job is done.
1. Use a Customer Relationship Management System
A customer relationship management system is software that allows you to monitor customer data and interactions. Using CRMs can make it easier to maintain relationships with both former and current customers and help you track when and how often you should be reaching out.
“We utilize CRM software in order to keep organized,” says Shannon Rahe of WineRacks in Tillson, New York. “It is a great way to keep track of multiple clients in addition to tracking sales and the stages of a project. It is always important to check in on a client and make sure they’re satisfied. We like to send follow-ups to check in and to see pictures of completed projects.”
There are different types of software that help you manage contact information and email communication, such as Salesforce or Hubspot.
If your company isn’t ready to commit to CRM software, you can use programs you’re already familiar with. Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can help you keep track of former clients’ names, email addresses, phone numbers and details of the project for which they hired you.
LEARN MORE: Download our free Houzz e-book for tips on growing your business.