By  , Digital Sales & Marketing Coach

How do I say “Thank you for supporting my small business” in the best way?

How do I say “Thank you for supporting my small business” in the best way?

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Mother Teresa

Have you got writers’ block and you’re not sure what you could or should write to a client when thanking them?

Or maybe you’re looking for some creative ideas to say thank you?

You’re in the right place.

As a small business, you are constantly looking for ways to create stronger client connections that will ultimately lead to more sales.

Learning how to say “thank you for supporting my small business” and having that culture running through your company might be one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. 

I’m going to reveal all you need to know about the whys, whats, and hows of how to thank your small business customers.

Should you send a “Thank You” message to customers?

Thanking customers is something that many businesses do purely out of politeness.

Sending a quick thank you isn’t just good for karma, it’s great for business.

But it has to be meaningful to the recipient, otherwise it’s a waste of everyone’s time.

96% of customers state that feeling valued plays a key role in their brand loyalty habits.

Here are some more key stats that highlight the benefits of saying thank you and improving the customer experience: 

  • 73% of companies that are ‘above average’ for customer experience will see bigger profits than those that fall short.
  • 86% of consumers will pay more for a product if the brand offers a better customer experience.
  • Boosting customer retention by just 5%, it translates to an average revenue increase of 25%.
  • More consumers 26% feel primarily loyal to brands than those (21%) who feel loyal to the products.
  • Nine in 10 customers will complete more than one purchase from brands that they trust and like.

If something as simple as a “thank you” can make a customer feel more valued, it will ultimately lead to increased conversions and retention.

Besides, feeling appreciated puts you in a happier mood, which naturally pushes consumers towards a buying mindset.

6 beautiful reasons why you should say: “Thank you for supporting my small business”

Okay you’re not stupid. I realise you know why you’re saying thank you, but it always helps to know the reasons for reaching out to customers:

  1. Building Relationships: Personalised thank yous, rewarding customer loyalty, and just taking the time to share your appreciation for their support, all help to build a relationship with your audience and show that you value them.
  2. Trust: By showing you genuinely care about your customers, you strengthen their trust in you.
  3. Recommendations: Because you show appreciation for your customers, they are more likely to recommend your business to friends and colleagues. People who they trust and value.
  4. They may purchase more: When you are authentic, and truly value your customers, they tend to return in kind and will choose your business time and time again.
  5. Saying thank you also means listening: If you listen to your customers, you not only make them feel more valued, you can help to meet their needs/solve their problems.
  6. People love to share images online: If you send a token of thanks, your customers are more likely to talk about and tag you in their social media.

10 simple messages of gratitude to send to your small business customers

A message of gratitude is a powerful thing.

It says, “I appreciate what you’ve done for me, and I want to acknowledge that effort.”

This is especially true when it comes to thanking small business customers.

Expressing gratitude not only shows your appreciation but also helps your customers feel valued and appreciated by your company.

It’s always better to write a sincere message in your own voice, personalised to the recipient, but here are 10 simple messages of gratitude that may give you ideas to thank your small business customers:

  1. “Thank you for supporting our small business. We couldn’t do what we do without amazing people like you.”
  2. “We appreciate having you as part of the family. Thank you for being a loyal customer.”
  3. “Thank you for choosing our small business. We really value your support and look forward to continuing our relationship with you in the future.”
  4. “We are so thankful for your continued support. Can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the coming year.”
  5. “Thanks for joining us on this journey. Your support means more than words can express.”
  6. “We love seeing familiar faces like yours. Thanks so much for being a loyal customer throughout the years.”
  7. “Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such an amazing review. We truly appreciate it.”
  8. “Your kind words mean a lot to us—thank you.”
  9. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!”
  10. “You are an incredible person, and we are very grateful that you’ve chosen us.”

Showing appreciation is an essential part of any successful business relationship—and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive either.

These 10 simple messages of gratitude above will help you express your thanks in a meaningful way that will make your customers feel valued and appreciated by your company every time they interact with it or purchase from it again in the future.

So, go ahead and send out those thank-yous today—your customers will definitely be glad that they did.

When should we send “Thank You” messages to our clients?

Appreciating the power of your words and gestures is one thing, but knowing when to use them is another altogether.

It’s not simply a case of saying “thanks” after the sale.

The consumer’s journey to conversion encounters several key stages; Awareness, Familiarity, Consideration, Purchase, and Loyalty.

For the best results, you’ll want to show your appreciation at every stage of the process.

Therefore, the examples of times that you’ll want to thank customers includes, but is not limited to;

  • When a potential lead signs up to website notifications or your email newsletters.
  • If someone follows your social media channels and shows interest in the brand.
  • When a prospective lead reaches out with an initial call or to get a quote.
  • After you’ve met them at a consultation, trade show, or any other Consideration setting.
  • Following their sign-up for a free trial of your products or services.
  • Following the initial sale, such as welcoming your new customer to the brand’s family.
  • After working with them, even if they haven’t completed a purchase at this stage.
  • If they complete a repeat purchase or upgrade their level of service.

In addition to showing your appreciation at various stages of the individual consumer journey, you will want to thank clients after they recommend your company to a friend, relative, or follower.

After all, 90% of consumers believe what they hear from their friends and family.

When you go above and beyond to truly WOW your small business’s customers by making them feel valued members of the brand story, you will create a far stronger family.

In turn, they will want to play an active role in your development.

What methods can we use to thank someone for supporting our small business?

If you’re looking for the most effective solutions for how to thank clients in small business, you should set out to achieve the following objectives;

  • Ensure that the consumer takes note of the message.
  • Find creative ways to say thank you, to keep your brand in the user’s mind for the long haul.
  • Make sure any message that you send will feel heartfelt and honest.
  • Use messages that also edge them towards a sale, repeat sale, or long-term loyalty.

So, what are the best ways to say “thank you for supporting my small business” without falling into a situation that could be viewed as aggressive marketing?

In truth, the only limit is your own creativity. Nevertheless, the following examples should provide inspiration.

Send automated emails

There are plenty of email templates that can be designed to send emails to potential leads and customers whenever they complete an intended action. It’s important to design the emails so that they feel personalised.

Meanwhile, you should create different emails for each stage of the online journey. Always include a “thank you for supporting my small business” line in each message.

Send handwritten cards

Emails are great, but won’t make you stand out.

Handwritten cards are something of a dying art, but that personal touch is what will leave a far bigger impression. If your handwriting isn’t great, you can always ask your receptionist or PA to do it.

An example may read “Dear [name], thank you for your order, we really appreciate your continued support of [my business name]. Warm wishes, [my name]”

This may seem like an old-fashioned way of expressing thanks, but it’s still impactful and will certainly stand out from all the other emails they receive every day.

Plus, this method allows you to include personal messages that can make them feel truly valued.

You can also include a gift card or voucher as an extra token of your appreciation.

Let’s say you’re thanking someone who has referred a customer to you. Obviously you need to do this in your own voice, but to get you going, try something like:

“Thank you so much for referring [name] to my business. I truly appreciate the time and effort it took for you to make this connection. It means so much to me that you believe in what I do.”

Send a small gift

A thank you card can be accompanied with small gifts. This is a great option because it gives you a chance to use promotional gifts for added marketing functions and to promote a sense of value.

The gift could even incorporate a “thank you” design.

Send a video message

Taking a few minutes to send a one-to-one video message shows that you value them enough to put your time into it. This is a great way to build a rapport and help consumers put a face to the brand too.

This can be delivered via email, social media, or any other online communication. As well as thanking the consumer, you can promote a product or service that you think they will like.

Host them for lunch

Showing your gratitude doesn’t have to involve gifts or cards – sometimes all it takes is spending some quality time with someone who for example has referred customers to you.

Invite them out for lunch at one of their favourite places so they know how much you appreciate their help.

During lunch, talk about what makes them successful in business and discuss ways that you can continue helping each other grow.

Send Flowers

Sending flowers is another great way to express your appreciation for someone’s referral – especially if they’re not expecting it.

You could choose a bouquet of their favourite flowers. It’s something unexpected that will put a smile on their face and show them just how grateful you are.

PS. Looking for more help with your messaging?

I want to quickly mention the UK-wide Entrepreneurs Circle. If you want help with your messaging, marketing and sales, it’s a useful group to belong to.

If you’re looking to conquer overwhelm, unlock your marketing and sales potential, and connect with a supportive community, then the Entrepreneurs Circle is worth checking out.

It could be the missing piece that helps you take your business to the next level. And hey, if you have any questions about it, feel free to ask. I’ve been a member for 11 years, and I’d recommend checking out the free 1-month trial.

Back to saying “Thank You”

Ultimately, the use of effective thank you notes and appreciative messages can fire conversions, retention rates, and customer lifetime values to the next level.

If you do it well, it will not only make you feel good, this will boost your bottom line.

Whether you do it in person or online, remember to show your gratitude. It’s not just great for the sake of politeness, it’s great for business too.

My name’s Mark Reynolds, the owner at ProfitReach. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with marketing, maybe you’re not sure what you should be doing to get more customers, well please don’t worry. I’m here to give you the guidance to generate a more consistent and predictable flow of customers in 2024. I’ve been helping ambitious individual UK entrepreneurs/small business owners get more customers since 2002, so maybe I could help you too? Learn more here.

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