Have you ever considered how Valentine’s Day could inspire your approach to customer relationships in your small business? While the day is traditionally about romance, it’s also a reminder that meaningful connections, whether with a partner or a customer, require effort, understanding and thoughtful actions to thrive and stand the test of time.
Here are my top tips to make customers fall head over heels for your business and build long term connections.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
You know that warm feeling when someone surprises you with flowers or a heartfelt note? Your customers want to feel that same appreciation. By taking the extra effort, whether it’s sending a personalised thank-you email, offering an unexpected discount for loyal customers or knowing their specific preferences, you show them they are not just another transaction.
Using tools that help personalise and streamline your interactions, such as automated follow-ups, appointment reminders or targeted offers, ensures your customers feel valued while making your daily operations more manageable. After all, when your business shows heart, your customers are more likely to return.
The key to your customers’ hearts
You can’t unlock someone’s heart with a one-size-fits-all approach, and your customers are no different. Tailoring your services and listening to feedback is the ultimate love language. When customers feel seen and understood, they are more likely to stick around.
Consider a dental practice that uses automated tools to send friendly reminders for check-ups, personalised messages about a patient’s dental goals or post-appointment surveys to collect feedback.These small yet meaningful touches build trust and loyalty while showcasing genuine care for the customer experience.
With the right systems to track preferences, organise feedback and personalise communication, your business can deliver an experience that makes every customer feel special.
Swipe right on social media
Every good relationship needs communication and social media is where the magic happens. Engaging with your audience, sharing updates and responding to comments builds trust and connection.
Social media management tools can simplify this process by scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and ensuring timely responses. Regular posts help you stay visible and relevant, while timely and accurate responses to comments and messages show you care about building real connections. Sharing behind-the-scenes content gives your audience a glimpse of the people and processes behind your small business, helping to create a sense of trust and authenticity.
Roses are red, reviews are gold
When it comes to relationships, nothing beats a glowing recommendation and the same is true for your small business. Positive reviews are worth their weight in gold. They reassure potential customers that your small business is worth pursuing.
Encourage customers to leave reviews and don’t forget to respond to every review your business receives. A thoughtful response to criticism shows maturity, just like in any great love story. Online reputation management tools can help you track and respond to reviews across platforms, ensuring your small business stays proactive, personal and polished.
This Valentine’s Day, take the opportunity to woo your customers and build a love story worth sharing. With some effort and a lot of heart, you can create lasting relationships that will make your small business the one they always come back to.
By Elise Balsillie Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand