Thanksgiving ideas for clients. So I want to do something nice for all of my clients for thanksgiving.
I want to basically mail them a care package…to surprise them all. I want to include 1 FREE Personal training session, one of my fitness promotional shirt.
However, I want to send them more than just that. I want to spend about $100 per client…I have roughly 55 clients. It’s within our budget and it’s something we want to do but looking for creative ideas on what to possibly send in the package/gift bags. Thank you for any ideas that you may have.
I used to have a deal with a local massage therapist where I gave a free massage to my clients and she gave a free evaluation/screening to her clients. She always ended up getting more people taking advantage of the free massage, but also got more new clients out of the bargain. So, even though I didn’t get the kickback, my clients were still happy. And even though her clients didn’t take advantage of the freebie as much, she was trying to encourage them to get more exercise. I did make my coupon exchangeable so they could give it to someone else as well. It also had a 25% off the purchase of 4 additional training sessions on the back. And I didn’t put an expiration on my coupons, so there were some new clients that eventually got the coupon and used it. And some did end up joining our program. But the idea was to give something that could lead to all of our clients getting something good out of the exchange.
For my regular clients I usually try to give them something that I find out they are interested in through our conversations over the course of the year. I try to make it fitness related whenever possible, like a HR monitor. For a client that was moving away, I got him a TRX and showed him how to use it before he moved. One of my clients loves iTunes gift cards or any gift card. I had a client that was learning how to cook and I got them lessons from a culinary school. One client has an elderly parent that often needs a ride to appointments and shopping. I gave them a ten ride gift certificate from a service to pick up/drop off the parent. They loved it and used it to help them out for a vacation and when their schedule was too tight. I lead the conversations in the gym to what they are into recently and try to find something that relates to their interests or needs. Some I pay for straight up and some I barter and do exchanges on services in some way.
It is great to be able to give your clients/students something. It is a great way to say thank you, and to foster as well as honor the connections you have built. Giving services, such as your certificate for training, or the idea of massage, is also great. There is research that having more stuff doesn’t make people happier (past a basic point), but having more experiences does. I would say that the clubs where I have worked that have programs that foster shared experiences have been some of the ones I remember most fondly.
This doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate the shirt, or other bling, but that whatever you give them shouldn’t be something like a plastic water bottle that will end up in a drawer with a dozen others, or in the trash heap. Our world is already floating in too much unused plastic stuff. Make it something meaningful. I give my students meditation stones. They are 2 to 3 inch minerals of varied colors and textures. They can be used as a reminder to create focus …. left next to the computer screen, or some place like that …. to stop and breathe for a moment. Because that focus is part of what we work on together that works well for us. And it is natural, so if they are done for it it will create no damage to our environment.
The other way to think about this might be to spend part of the money on a party. I used to work at a place in DC that hosted parties for clients, (I met my husband at one of them) and it really built community. One of the yoga studios where I teach now has potlucks and movie nights and so on.
One other thought would be a certificate for cooking lessons, or setting up an event with a chef. If you work with people on weight loss issues that could be great. If you were looking for a great cook book I recently got Nancy Harmon Jenkins “The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook” and I really love it…. the recipe for North African Spiced Marinated Fish is amazing.
The ideas you’ve received are wonderful.
For my fifth anniversary of small group training, I bought massage certificates for all of my founding clients. One of my clients is an amazing massage therapist so it was a win-win, kicking her some business and giving away a wonderful restorative service. The only problem was, of the 7 people I gave the certificates to, all but one of whom had had massages before and all but two of whom had met the massage therapist because she joins us in class, NONE of them used the certificates. It was a nice thought, and it was much appreciated by my clients that I thought of them, but wasn’t used.
I love Christine’s idea of the fitbit, especially if you get one of those apps where you can coach clients. I know there are some where you can see a client’s progress and habits. Not everyone likes this, but for the ones that do, that’s a way to use the fitbit as a tie-in to your existing business.
What about having a members-only seminar or event? Teach a one or two hour seminar that teaches them something, and include the equipment for them for free. I’ve done this with Bender Balls (inexpensive), but you could do this with the fitbit, a high quality foam roller, trigger point massage balls, etc. Or you could bring in someone who teaches a complementary activity that you don’t offer. For example, have a Friday night candle light restorative yoga class focused on recovery and recuperation, and at the end of the class, they get to take home the yoga mat, bolster, blocks, and strap (that would be about $60 per person) that you used in the session. Not only does that do something special for the people who have done so much for you, it potentially anchors new business for you – perhaps they now want to add the yoga to their classes and you’ve just helped expand your business in a way that supports and doesn’t compete with your core offerings.
(I’m giving restorative kits to my yoga students for the holidays)
Even if it’s only for a few sentences, a notecard with your logo on it saying thank you for their business AND a personalized message of how you’ve seen them grow in the last year. Not just “thanks for your business.” Rather, “I’ve enjoyed watching you get stronger this year and I hope you’re proud of your efforts because I’m proud of you.” Sometimes, more than actual things, people need to be seen.
Hi Louben,
Since you are able to swing a little more, then you have many options. Here are a few more ideas:
–HR monitor/Fit Bit
–Sports/gym bag with your logo
–Motivational/Gratitude or healthy lifestyle book
–Gift certificate to an all natural/fresh food delivery service
(for 1 week, etc… many companies deliver whole foods with exact ingredients and the recipes to make a few healthy dinners) I have a few clients who love this type of service.
–Gift certificate for a massage
–Gift cards for music
–Trigger point foam roller or massage stick
–“Stress” relief items such as aromatherapy oils, candles, lotion, etc…
Hope some of these suggestions help you.
Christine