As an advisor, you’ve probably got a brutal schedule of appointments with clients from week to week, not to mention the management of your firm and business prospecting.That being said, making your current roster of clients feel special should also be a ongoing focus to maintain deep relationships with those that made you successful to begin with. Client Appreciation Events have that name for a reason. You’re taking the time and effort to make sure your best relationships are acknowledged in a way that clearly communicates your deep appreciation for their trust and loyalty.Perhaps you’ve heard mention of the phrase “Christmas in July.” While the holidays may be the last thing on your mind during the summer months, savvy advisors know that now is the time to get their holiday plans in high gear.
Here are 3 Tips on Planning a Successful Holiday Party:
1. Book early for better dates. Believe it or not, many
advisorsare already contacting local restaurants and party places this month to nail down their desired dates for a great client event. By booking early, they’re guaranteed to get their pick of the best Friday and Saturday nights in early December. Trust us, you’ll be kicking yourself if you try celebrating with clients on a Monday night. Yikes!
2. Get Save-the-Date Notes in their Inbox. Once you nail down a great date, be sure to snail mail and email a brief Save-the-Date message to your clients. Email invites are cost effective and make replies easy, but only about 25% of business emails get opened.Related:
Helping Clients Maintain Perspective in Turbulent MarketsPrint versions on quality card stock that hit client’s mailboxes will make a nice impact and increase your readership. This gets your event on their radar before the holiday rush, and will significantly increase your RSVP ratio!
3. Finalize all Plans for your Festivities. If you’ve picked and announced a date, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind from knowing it’s been booked. Also, if you want some sort of entertainment, you can research your options with a firm date in hand. One of our clients booked a very talented caricature artist, and each of their clients walked away with a fun, frame-worthy sketch of themselves and their loved ones.
Bonus tip: consider offering the option for your clients to bring along a guest couple or other family members. This can greatly increase your exposure and potentially gain referrals!Whether it’s planning for a holiday party or your next hire, we stand ready to help you in allthings practice management.Need advice on any element of your firm?
Drop us a line. We’re here to help!
