Thanksgiving is next week, here are four ways to thank your customers.
1. Discount – a discount off a tutor session. All of these go better when you include #4 below. It doesn’t have to be a huge discount.
2. Added service – create a service. I’ve done something like ACT weekend prep, a couple of weekends before an ACT that most of your students are taking. It is a win win for both you and the students. They are better prepared, make better scores, you get the idea.
3. A small gift – doesn’t have to cost much. I normally do this for tutor students that are still in grade school and pick a gift that they would enjoy. You should know that because you’re speaking with them a couple of times a week. You should know what they like to do. If you’re still puzzled, you can always ask them what presents they’re looking for under the tree. Another reason why keeping good tutor notes can come in so handy.
4. A handwritten note or card. I know that it sounds corny, but it works. A handwritten card means so much more in this day and age of emails and the internet. Find some nice thank you cards at your local discount store – or you can create / print your own. Be specific when you’re writing the card. If you have a parent and child, make sure that you say something to the parent and your student.
Now is also the time that sometimes you’ll be asked what you would like for a Christmas present. One thing I did in the past and it turned out to be a lot of fun was to do some kind of local charity, not just giving money but something you will have to go and do. Invite your tutoring students to help you accomplish your goal. We have an organization in our town called Christmas friends. They put up stars on trees, with gifts that folks want. We chose a few different stars and then picked a Saturday afternoon and went shopping. A whole lot of fun and a side benefit is your building great relationships with parents and students.