As a photographer, besides your technical skills, offering exceptional customer service is what can set you apart from the rest. Why? Because using surprise and delight marketing tactics can go a long way in building lasting relationships with clients and getting more referrals. And let’s face it, people don’t rave about normal. When your clients talk to their friends and family about you, they’re more likely going to talk about how you made them feel and the extraordinary experience they had while working with you. And that experience is why people will want to work with you. Client appreciation comes from the moments that made them feel something special, and with these surprise and delight marketing tips, you can create those moments for your clients.
How To Provide The Best Customer Experience
An effective marketing strategy starts with getting to know who your clients are, what they need, and how best to show them your appreciation. The following surprise and delight ideas are simple, but your clients are going to feel truly special when they experience them.
1. Underpromise And Over-Deliver
If you’re a wedding or portrait photographer, delivering an extraordinary client experience should be your top priority. So if you want to surprise customers to the point where they’re not just surprised but impressed, too, delighting your customers is key!
Take shoot time, for example. Promising a certain amount of time but keeping a buffer in between allows you to stretch that shoot if you want. Imagine saying to your clients, “I am having so much fun! I’m going to give you an extra 30 minutes.” That’s a surefire way to surprise and delight them. Want to take it a step further? Collect quotes from your client’s friends or family and add them to their customized albums. Your clients will be blown away by this unexpected gesture! As effective as this strategy can be, remember that expectation management is still an important part of your relationship with clients.
Also Read: Lead Magnet Tips To Supercharge Your Photography Business
2. A Thoughtful Gift
A thoughtful gift can do wonders if you want to surprise and delight customers. And who doesn’t like a gift, right? From personalized gifts like photo albums to a box of handmade chocolates, there are endless possibilities for unique gifts that can elevate the client experience. The act of giving a gift not only shows that you care about your clients but also helps to build a deeper, more personal connection with them. It could be as simple as a surprise gift card or a bonus custom mobile app (from StickyAlbums), or even something more meaningful, like partnering with a foundation or fundraiser to contribute to a worthy cause.
Each time your clients use the gift, they will remember you and how much you care about their special moments. You can also send out a bonus product that they weren’t expecting, such as a small album or print, in line with your business. By giving just a little bit more with surprise and delight marketing and going the extra mile, you’re setting yourself apart from the competition. This also exemplifies how to build customer loyalty effectively to keep them coming back.
Also Read: 5 Tips On How To Make Social Media Work For You
3. Pay Attention To Timing
We all know that delivering an extraordinary client experience is the key to success, and timing plays a crucial role in it. One way to create a lasting impression when you want to surprise and delight customers is by following a well-planned delivery process. The first step in this process is to send the gift right after they submit a print order.
But what can you send? A Sticky Album!
It’s perfect because your clients are excited to see the prints, but they have to wait 2-3 weeks before they get them. You can take advantage of that excitement by providing them a Sticky Album that is waiting in their inbox for them to look through and share with everyone.
Learning how to surprise and delight clients is about using simple strategies that leave a lasting impression. After delivering the initially ordered products, you could even go the extra mile by sending bonus surprises. And don’t forget to keep track of special occasions like birthdays, Valentine’s, and anniversaries to show your clients that you are thinking of them even after their photo shoot is done.
Also Read: People aren’t reading your Testimonials
Surprise And Delight Marketing For Business Growth
The surprise and delight tips mentioned above play a crucial role in providing the best customer service and building lasting client relations. One of the easiest ways to learn how to create customer delight is by underpromising and over-delivering, which is bound to leave clients impressed. Incorporating thoughtful gifts, whether personalized or in partnership with a cause, shows that you care and helps establish a deeper connection. Timing is key, and delivering surprises at strategic moments, like after submitting a print order or on special occasions, enhances the overall experience. While the final products matter to your clients, it’s also the experience that helps generate positive feedback for your business.
Remember, it’s not about grand gestures or expensive gifts; it’s about meaningful and thoughtful surprises that truly delight your customers. These moments become stories that they happily share with friends and family, boosting your credibility. By mastering the art of surprise and delight, you can also get creative with customer experience innovation. So, embrace new ideas and create your own customer delight checklist featuring your best surprise and delight campaigns.
Also Read: End The Cycle Of Clients Ghosting You With These 5 Tips
At Sticky, we offer simple tactics and tools for photographers to help them turn website visitors into booked clients. To learn more about how Sticky can help your business grow and thrive, check out our website and pricing page today! Try Sticky and see the difference it can make.
