The Sunday Mail
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba
“Good customer service is like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day. It’s a relief that makes everything better’’ — Anonymous
SUMMER is a season of fun, relaxation and adventure.
It is also a time when businesses have the opportunity to connect with their customers in unique ways and stand out from the competition.
With the right strategies, companies can make the most of the season and create memorable experiences for their customers.
Whether you are a small business owner or part of a large corporation, these tips will help you make a splash with your customers and build lasting relationships.
Here are some ideas to help you get started:
1) Offer Seasonal Promotions
Consider offering discounts or special deals on products or services that are popular during the summer months. For example, if you run a restaurant, you could offer a discount on iced drinks, smoothies or summer-themed menu items. Since the temperatures will be high, you can give away free items such as water bottles and sun hats with your business logo on them. A week ago, a friend of mine went to a local battery manufacturing company to get his battery fixed. When he got there, he was offered a soft drink while the battery was being repaired. The soft drink does not cost a lot; it’s only about US30 cents but my friend was over the moon because of the gesture. He could not stop sharing that give-away. It does not cost an arm and leg to impress customers.
2) Hot Summer Events
Organise events that are tailored to the summer season. For example, you could host a barbecue or pool party for your customers. This is a great way to show appreciation for your customers and build relationships with them. Activities like summer camps are also ideal, and activities like fishing competitions and summer marathons for your customers go a long way in cementing your business relationships with them. Besides hosting summer events, organisations can also participate in local summer events. They can get involved in community events such as fairs, festivals and concerts. This is a great way to promote your business and connect with potential customers.
3) Create Summer-themed Marketing Campaigns
Use summer themes and imagery in your marketing campaigns to attract customers. For example, you could use bright colours and images of the beach or pool in your advertisements. You can also can create summer-themed promotions such as offering discounts on summer-related products or services, such as sunscreen, sunglasses or outdoor activities. You can also create a “summer bundle” of products that complement each other.
4) Partner with Other Businesses
Consider partnering with other businesses to offer joint promotions or events. This is a great way to reach new customers and build relationships with other business owners. For example, if you run a clothing store, you could partner with a local ice cream shop to offer a discount to customers who visit both businesses. You can also partner with a local pool club to offer joint memberships or discounts on each other’s products or services. Connecting with local business owners in your area by attending local events is also a great way to initiate fruitful business partnerships. These can be reached out through social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Embrace outsourcing some of your business functions to other businesses or referring customers to other businesses that complement your products or services. Although building successful partnerships takes time and effort, it is important to find partners who align with your mission, vision, products and priorities. You should also be agile and flexible in order to adapt to changing circumstances.
5) Offer Exceptional Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is always important, but it can be especially impactful during the busy summer season. Make sure your employees are well-trained and equipped to handle the influx of customers. For instance, you can offer extended hours during the summer months to accommodate customers who may have different schedules during the season.
To sum up, providing great customer service during the summer season requires creativity, flexibility and a customer-centric approach.
You can offer seasonal promotions, participate in local events, offer summer giveaways, use social media, create a loyalty programme, host summer events and offer extended hours to accommodate customers’ schedules.
You can also partner with other businesses to expand your customer base and boost your revenue.
Finally, it is important to provide exceptional customer service by practicing active listening, showing empathy, remaining impartial, following up, being personable, communicating clearly and often, avoiding negative language and applying the CARP (Currency, Authority, Relevance and Reliability, and Purpose/Point of View) method.
*Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba is a marketing enthusiast with a strong passion for customer experience. For comments, suggestions and trainings, she can be reached at [email protected] or at +263 712 979 461, 0719 978 335
