as you prepare to welcome the new year, make a resolution to bring back lost customers.

customers stray. it happens. but it’s worth your time to create specific promotions to bring those lost customers back to your store. customer retention is key. research shows it costs five times more to attract a new customer than it does to keep an existing one, even if the customer has strayed for a few months.

since the holiday hubbub is coming to an end, why not start 2017 off by targeting lost customers and bring them through your doors once again?

to help, here are three new year promotions for fivestars members to re-attract lost customers:

1. the bundle offer

one of the best ways to lure customers back is with an offer they simply can’t refuse. a marketing professor at georgia state university, v. kumar, conducted a study to see what kind of offer wins the most customers back and found that a “bundle of freebies” is the best way to go.

consider offering customers two freebies, like a discount and a service upgrade, or a discount and a free gift. offering a single incentive was effective, but not as effective as the bundle, according to kumar’s results.

create an irresistible bundle of freebies for your lost customers.

here’s what to enter as a promotion in fivestars, just change what’s in the brackets to fit your needs:

what’s the promotional offer?

• we miss you! get [15%] off, plus [a free gift.]

what’s the occasion?

• visit us again in 2017 and we’ll give you 15% off storewide, and a cool gift you’ll love.

when does the promotion expire?

• three days from date sent.

2. the cool perks offer

sometimes a coupon doesn’t cut it, so create a promotion that offers a cool perk or experience. for instance, win back customers by offering a free behind-the-scenes tour of your business, create a scavenger hunt for customers, give away tickets to a local event with a minimum purchase, or invite customers to an after-hours shopping event.

the idea is to offer something that’s out of the ordinary – something that’s cool enough to bring customers back to your store.

here’s what to enter as a promotion in fivestars, just change what’s in the brackets to fit your needs:

what’s the promotional offer?

• it’s a new year and we miss you! come back, shop, [win packers tickets.]

or

• it’s a new year and we miss you! see what’s new. [shop our after-hours sale!]

what’s the occasion?

• shop with us again! spend $25 and be entered to win two free tickets to the packers game on 1/15.

or

• our store is open for select customers from 8-10pm on 1/15. join us.

when does the promotion expire?

• one day from date sent, or the date of the event you’re hosting

3. the customer feedback offer

what would it take to win back customers? ask them. run a special promotion that asks lost customers to call you and tell you what they need to become a customer once again.

this kind of promotion should only be geared toward lost customers that are worthy of a sweet deal. in other words, send the promotion to customers that were loyal for six months, and then stopped coming in. you want to target customers that had a strong purchasing history with you.

when customers call, talk with them about why left. you’ll get valuable insight that you can use to keep others from leaving. ask customers to come up with a specific deal they want to come back. if it’s within reason, grant it. if the request is a little too crazy, negotiate so it makes sense.

obviously, this promotion is personalized and time-consuming, but it could provide feedback that can drastically change customer retention efforts in the future.

here’s what to enter as a promotion in fivestars, just change what’s in the brackets to fit your needs:

what’s the promotional offer?

• it’s 2017 – let’s start anew. what would bring you back? we want to know.

what’s the occasion?

• call us at [1-800-555-555] and tell us how we can improve. -or- write us on facebook or twitter and let us know how we can improve. all feedback is good feedback! we’ll give you [free tickets, a free meal, 50% off a service or item, an entry into a large raffle, etc.]

when does the promotion expire?

• three days from date sent.

need more help wooing customers back to your business? check out these additional promotion ideas, or share your own “win back” new year promotions in the comment section below.