7 fresh ideas for client appreciation events
When follow-up gets frustrating, use these ideas to plan attention-getting client appreciation events.
For real estate professional use only and should not be considered an advertisement to the general public.
In an already demanding profession, following up with clients can fall by the wayside. And when you do, it may feel like most of your emails, texts, voicemails, and invites are left unanswered. Are these past clients gone for good? Not necessarily.
Even when your follow-up game is strong, it can still be hard to connect with clients. Most of us have incredibly full lives.
To avoid what may feel like client avoidance, it can help to throw a truly enticing client appreciation event. An event like this is for the purpose of building relationship; agents gain a significant chunk of business from referrals and repeat clients. These casual events give you the chance to mingle with clients and other community members in a low-pressure setting—meaning, they’ll be more likely to attend.
Stuck? Try 7 out-of-the-box client appreciation events
Make follow-up easier with one of these client appreciation events:
1. Group class.
Depending on where you live, you can find classes for almost anything:
- Cake decorating
- Cooking
- Guided hikes
- Jewelry making
- Mixology
- Pottery
- Zumba
Hosting a class on a fun topic can catch clients’ interest. Group classes typically last an hour and can be hosted at your office, home, or the instructor’s studio. If you’re looking for unique, local ideas, browse through Groupon and then contact the instructor of the class you’re interested in. Also, consider calling or texting clients directly to help increase attendance.
2. Movie watch party.
Renting a movie theater for a birthday party isn’t unheard of. And for anywhere from $75 to $395, you could do the same for a client appreciation event. A no-cost movie day or night is something most clients will enjoy. This is especially true if it’s a popular release. Theaters may not allow outside food, but most will prompt you to buy snack packages when booking the venue.
3. Sporting event or watch party.
Is your city home to a team that fans go crazy for? If your city has a minor league team with low-cost tickets, consider buying in bulk. Otherwise, look into reserving a room at a local sports bar or setting up a watch party at your office. The big draw to a game day client appreciation event is that you can host it any time of year, depending on the sport. It also offers an easy way to connect over a shared interest.
4. Sunset cruise.
If you live near a large body of water, you could wow clients with an invite to a sunset dinner or happy hour cruise. A sunset cruise takes a standard client appreciation dinner to the next level. Cost will vary by location, with some private charters costing several hundred dollars for smaller groups. Many boats offer catering and drink packages, and some will allow you to bring your own beverages.
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5. Holiday party.
The holidays are the ideal time to host a family-friendly client appreciation event, with activities like:
- Breakfast with Santa
- Cookie decorating
- Gift exchange
- Holiday card making
- Holiday scavenger hunt
- Ugly Christmas/Hannukah sweaters
- Writing letters to Santa
If you’re hoping to build relationship, offering free photos with Santa is an unforgettable parting gift. Instead of spending hours waiting to pay for pricey photos at the mall, clients may prefer to attend your low-key event with their family. You can also keep kids entertained—so parents can relax—by setting up a projector to show holiday movies.
6. Virtual entertainer or paint night.
Whether it’s busy schedules or individual health concerns, many clients may still prefer to be virtual. These clients might respond well to a remote appreciation event, like virtual painting or a concert from a local performer. When booking a virtual painting class for a group, each participant who RSVPs will be mailed their own painting kit.
7. Trivia night.
Trivia is another client appreciation event that you can host online or in-person. Renting a room at a local pub may draw more attendees, especially if there are prizes. Consider hiring an experienced trivia host and stick to fun, relatable topics. Take this opportunity to give clients swag bags as parting gifts, with a thank you note and some branded items inside.
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For real estate professional use only and should not be considered an advertisement to the general public. MAC224-1485612.