By Theyo
With a well-organized customer event, you can show your customers appreciation and thank them for their good cooperation. A customer event is particularly successful when it is so much fun that your customers recommend you to friends and colleagues because of the event. But let's be honest: In reality, customer events are often rather boring. Luckily, we have some ideas that are sure to delight your customers!
Why are appreciative customer events so important?
Customer events are so important because they provide the opportunity to build a deep relationship. They help build trust, increase credibility, can inspire new relationships and help maintain long-standing relationships.
A customer who feels valued and taken seriously will stay with you longer and more willingly. And ultimately, especially in German-speaking countries: There are fewer customer events than many people think. You can stand out even more if you offer a well-planned and perfectly executed event. Let's go!
So how can you organize a successful customer event?
So you want to plan a customer event and don't really know where to start? Don't worry, you'll find the most important tips in this list!
Tip #1: Find the right timing for your customer event 📆
As with so many things, timing is the be-all and end-all when planning a customer event. Just because you may have a “summer slump” at your work doesn’t mean that it will be the same for your customers. So instead of setting the appointment when it suits you, find out when it suits your customers particularly well. After all, you want many customers to take part and the event doesn’t mean any additional stress for them. Are you planning an international customer event? Then make sure that despite the time difference, the time is right for all participants. The final goal is ultimately customer satisfaction and this starts with choosing the right date.Tip #2: Choose the right place 🗺️
At least as important as the right timing is a suitable location. While most customer events took place on site before Corona, this is no longer the standard. The “New normal” allows you to plan your events much more flexibly and digitally. For example, you could hold adigital event and also an event on site, where most of your customers live. Try to find out in conversations what most people would prefer. Because digital or hybrid events have found more and more fans during the pandemic . 
A customer event strengthens loyalty (Photo by Kate Dacres-Mannings on Unsplash )
Tip #3: Try to assess the interest of your customers well 🤓
Of course, this tip is not easy to implement. But a good start is always to take a look at your customer database. Do you recognize any patterns? Could everyone get excited about something similar? Or can you – if there are many customers – divide them into interest clusters? If your customer base is rather diverse, then you should try to find the lowest common denominator. Always remember that you should make the customer event as inclusive as possible. This means, for example, that if you are not absolutely sure, it is better to stay away from alcohol or certain foods that are linked to intolerances.
Tip #4: Don’t be (too) salesy at your customer event 💰
An appreciative customer event is neither the right place nor the right time to pitch your products. Instead, it's about conveying gratitude and strengthening your relationship. The only thing you want to show at this event is that there is nothing better than being a customer with you. Of course, you shouldn't dismiss your obvious interest, but rather arrange a follow-up appointment to meet with business customers. Under no circumstances should you give the impression that the event is a masked sales event. If the customers have fun, they will be grateful. Therefore: Be sure to let the participants initiate the business conversation during the event.Tip #5: The more, the merrier – be sure to invite +1 to your customer event 🥳
The customer event is primarily about one thing: your customers should feel really comfortable. We have repeatedly observed at customer events that a particularly good atmosphere arises when participants can bring their family or friends with them. Furthermore, this definitely increases the number of participants and minimizes the no-show rate enormously. In addition, there could also be potential new customers among the friends and partners.
Tip #6: Send a reminder before the customer event 💌
You probably don't have anything else on your mind shortly before the event. But this probably looks different for your customers. So make sure that you remind participants of the event personally and by email before the event.Tip #7: Put a note about the customer event on your website🌐
You can place an additional reminder on your website in the form of an event notice. On the one hand, this helps ensure that the participants do not forget the appointment and get excited about it. On the other hand, potential customers see what you offer your existing customers and how much effort you put into them. If you organize events more often, you can create an event page. In this way, potential customers see that you continually care for your customers.The best idea for your customer event? A tasty one!
We don't want to beat around the bush any further: in our opinion, a tasting is the best idea for a successful customer event. And because an event in 2021 should meet certain standards, we recommend a non-alcoholic tasting. Instead of the usual wine tasting or gin tasting, we recommenda chocolate tasting ! That's right :-D - and this aha effect is exactly where the first advantage lies. Most people have never heard of a chocolate tasting, which of course makes the format particularly attractive for you. Because it is not only alcohol-free - and therefore attractive for various groups of people - but also something very special. If you want to surprise your customers, then a chocolate tasting is perfect.
And not only that! A chocolate tasting has many other advantages: it can also be perfectly combined with different holidays. Whether for Christmas, Valentine's Day or Easter. Chocolate not only always works, but also fits perfectly. Because our chocolate tastings at Theyo are not only super delicious, but also exclusively made with fair, fine and sustainably produced chocolate. So you not only have an innovative format, but also a tasting with a clear conscience. Do you want something very special? How about celebrating a very special day with a chocolate tasting? Whether it's just women-produced chocolates for International Women's Day or a chocolate tasting for International Chocolate Day. Just contact us and we will find the perfect occasion for your very special customer event!
A delicious customer event: the chocolate tasting
FAQ on the topic “Planning and organizing a (virtual) customer event”
What is a good digital customer event?
A good digital customer event should take place at a time that suits the participants. It should be exciting and new and correspond to the interests of customers. The relationship should be strengthened during the customer event, so business aspects have no place in the customer event. The event should also be professionally planned and implemented. Are you looking for a suitable partner? Then feel free to contact us!
What can I send as a gift before a customer event?
From our point of view, there is only one logical answer to this question :-) . Of course, we think that the best customer event is a chocolate tasting. Accordingly, we think it's best to send a chocolate box in advance. This increases anticipation and – in the case of a virtual event – offers a delicious element that physically connects participants with one another, even in the “new normal”. Complemented by an exciting book, a really good Bordeaux wine or a bottle of cocoa fruit juice. With a personal note, the customer gift is perfect!
Where can I find a good provider for virtual customer events?
How nice that you asked ;-) . You can simply contact us and together we will develop a plan for the perfect customer event!
What are creative and unusual ideas for a customer event?
If you plan a customer event, the outcome should of course be a complete success and be remembered by customers for a long time. The range of unusual event options on offer – now also online – is definitely impressive. From themed city tours to canoeing or white water rafting or something gentler on ceramic painting. Maybe think about what you personally would enjoy and whether that fits with the composition of your customer base. Our absolute favorite for an extraordinary and creative customer event?Of course a chocolate tasting ! Because everyone can take part, regardless of age, physical fitness and health status! If you are interested, please write to us :-)
How much should a customer event cost?
Of course, you could also give your customers a cup or a USB stick. But let's be honest: who should be happy about something like that these days? However, a high-quality customer event has its price. But don't worry: your customers will notice the difference and appreciate your effort on their behalf. From our experience in the chocolate tasting sector, the price per person per customer event is around €50-100.
Can chocolate packages at Theyo also be personalized, for example with a company logo?
Sure, of course! Depending on the size and scope of your customer event, we offer different personalization options. Feel free to contact us, choose a suitable customer gift and our chocolate experts will be happy to advise you on personalization.
How many boxes can you order from Theyo for a customer event?
You can order customer gifts for colleagues in large and small quantities. In principle, you can of course order smaller quantities directly from us in the chocolate shop . If you would like to book a customer event, please write to us directly. We look forward to hearing from you!
Header photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
