Love languages in business: The key to customer relationships

Words of affirmation for the customers who love recognition

Some customers love detailed feedback. They’re the ones who thrive on meeting summaries, clear updates, and a little extra acknowledgment. You know the type—the ones who always reply with a “Thank you!” when you send an update or who rave about how much they appreciate organized communication. For them, words of affirmation aren’t just about compliments; they’re about feeling seen, heard, and reassured that their business actually matters.

If you’ve got a client who’s a stickler for emails or really into having things written out, this is their love language. They don’t just like updates—they live for them. A simple “We appreciate your business” can go a long way in making them feel valued. Keep them in the loop, shout out their wins, and they’ll be your most loyal fans.

How to speak their language

For clients who cherish words of affirmation and appreciation, small gestures can go a long way in strengthening your relationship. Here’s how you can make them feel seen and valued with the help of Copper CRM:

• Send a thoughtful thank-you message. You can even make this easier using Copper’s AI-generated email templates and automations or getting inspiration from Copper’s Thank You Note Generator. A quick, personalized note with a simple “We appreciate your business” makes all the difference.

• Highlight customer wins on social media or in newsletters. Give them a well-deserved shoutout for their achievements, milestones, or loyalty. This not only makes them feel special but also reinforces your brand’s appreciation for long-term relationships.

• Ask for testimonials and reviews. People who value words of affirmation love knowing their opinions matter. Giving them the chance to share their feedback shows that you appreciate their insight and trust their voice.

• Celebrate customer anniversaries. Whether it’s their one-year mark with your service or their 100th order, a quick message or exclusive discount makes them feel extra appreciated.

Quality time for the customers who love face-to-face interactions

Ever had a client who always wants to hop on a quick call instead of playing email tag? Or one who thrives in a good brainstorming session or strategy meeting? These customers value real-time, engaged communication. They don’t just want updates—they want to be involved. They feel most reassured when they can have a direct, meaningful conversation with you.

For them, a phone call or video meeting isn’t just about business: it’s about continuing to build trust and connection. These are the customers that want to know they have your full attention, not just a spot in your inbox. Making time for them—even through short, structured check-ins—shows that you prioritize their needs, and that can turn them into your most loyal customers.

How to speak their language:

From some customers who value deep, meaningful conversations over quick updates, making quality time for them shows that their partnership truly matters. You can:

• Skip the long email—send a quick video invite instead. If they love real-time conversations, offer a call instead of an email thread to keep things efficient.

• Automate thoughtful check-ins in Copper. Set up automated tasks and emails to celebrate key moments—welcome emails for new customers, follow-ups with a quick “We appreciate your business,” and post-project messages recognizing their contributions. A little recognition at every stage goes a long way!

• Host exclusive webinars or roundtable discussions. Give them a platform to connect, ask questions, and collaborate on ideas in a way that feels personal and engaging.

• Invite them to in-person events, appreciation meetups, or networking sessions. If they’re local, a coffee meetup or client appreciation dinner can strengthen the relationship.

• Create interactive workshops or hands-on sessions. If your business allows, offering live training or collaborative sessions helps these clients feel engaged and valued.

• Be present during meetings. Silence notifications, make eye contact, and show them that their time is important. Small actions make a big difference in how they feel about your service.

Acts of service for the customers who love proactive help

You know that client who hates chasing people down for updates? The one who lives for seamless service and practically lights up when you fix something before they even realize it was a problem? These customers don’t need long calls or constant praise—they just want things to work, and they love it when you make their lives easier.

They appreciate efficiency, proactive solutions, and reliability. They’re not the ones asking for updates because they expect you to already have it covered. They notice when you anticipate their needs, follow through on promises, and remove friction from their experience.

If they trust you to handle things smoothly, they’ll stay loyal for the long haul.

How to speak their language

For customers who love acts of service, actions speak louder than words. By staying proactive and anticipating their needs, you’ll build trust and make their experience seamless. You can:

• Set up automated reminders in Copper to check in at key moments—before they even ask.

• Send proactive updates. If you know they’ll have questions, answer them before they reach out. It saves time and reassures them that you’re on top of things.

• Automate reminders for renewals, new features, or deadlines. They don’t want to keep track of everything—help them stay ahead with automated notifications.

• Offer free audits, guides, or checklists. Providing them with useful, actionable tools makes their experience smoother and adds value.

• Use Copper’s CRM to track their needs. Keeping notes on their preferences, workflows, and past concerns allows you to offer solutions before they even ask.

• Make problem-solving effortless. If they run into an issue, streamline the fix—offer live chat, self-serve resources, or a dedicated support contact to make their life easier.

Gift giving for customers who love thoughtful gestures

Some customers love a good surprise—and really who wouldn’t love a thoughtful and intentional gift?

They’re the ones who light up when they get a thoughtful thank-you package, an unexpected discount, or a small token during an important career (or life) highlight. It’s not about the cost—it’s about the gesture. A little extra thoughtfulness goes a long way in making them feel special and valued.

There are the customers who may also thrive on exclusivity. They’re the ones who love VIP programs, early access, and personalized perks. When they feel like they’re part of an inner circle, their connection to your brand deepens. The key? Make it feel personal, intentional, and just for them.

How to speak their language

If receiving gifts is what makes them feel valued, a thoughtful surprise can make all the difference. You can:

• Send a small, thoughtful gift. A personalized note, a branded item they’ll actually use, or a simple treat can make their day.

• Use Copper’s CRM tracking to remember birthdays, work anniversaries, or big life moments—like if they just had a baby, got married, or hit a major career milestone. A well-timed message or even a small, thoughtful gift in light of their big event shows you’re paying attention and makes them feel seen.

• Offer exclusive perks. Give them early access to new products or services. They’ll enjoy the exclusivity knowing you’re being thought of to try things right off the bat.

• Surprise them with a “just because” gift. Whether it’s a discount on their next service, a handwritten thank-you card, or even a small gift card for their next cup of coffee, unexpected appreciation strengthens loyalty.

• Reward repeat business with loyalty programs or referral bonuses. Customers love being recognized for their continued support.

• Host customer appreciation giveaways. Even something small—like a free consultation or product sample—can create excitement and engagement.

Physical touch for customers who love tangible experiences

Some customers want more than just a digital interaction: they want something real. They’re the ones who prefer in-person meetings, store visits, or even a beautifully packaged welcome kit over an email. To them, tangible experiences make a lasting impression, and they love brands that go the extra mile to create real, memorable moments.

This isn’t about literal physical touch! It’s really about creating interactions and engagement that feels personal. Whether it’s a handwritten thank-you note, a custom onboarding package, or an in-person coffee chat, these customers value experiences that connect them to your brand in real life.

How to speak their language

While physical touch in business is never literal, these customers appreciate tangible experiences. You can:

• Meet them in person whenever possible. Conferences, industry events, or even a casual coffee meetup go a long way.

• Offer in-store experiences or physical brand elements. A beautifully designed product package, a surprise swag item, or even a handwritten thank-you can make them feel special.

• Send a personalized welcome kit. First impressions matter, and a little extra effort goes a long way. Throw in some branded swag, a handwritten note, or a quick-start guide to make new customers feel like VIPs right from the start.

• Host hands-on workshops or live demos. Some people learn best by doing, so let them get up close and personal with your product or service. Whether it’s an in-person training, a product sampling event, or a behind-the-scenes demo, giving them a hands-on experience makes a lasting impact.

• Mail them a physical copy of an exclusive guide or workbook. Sure, PDFs are cool, but there’s something special about getting a beautifully designed book or planner in the mail. If you offer coaching, consulting, or an educational service, a tangible workbook they can flip through (and actually use) makes the experience feel more personal.

• Deliver a handwritten thank-you note after a big milestone. This small gesture can make a huge impact.

How to figure out your customers’ love languages

So, how do you actually know what love language in business your customers are speaking? It’s not like they come with a label saying, “Hey, I’m a quality time person—please call me instead of emailing!” But if you pay attention, the clues are all there.

Start by noticing patterns in how they interact with you. Do they always request a call instead of replying to emails? They’re probably a quality time type. Do they send enthusiastic thank-you messages when you acknowledge their hard work? That’s words of affirmation in action. Are they the kind of people who light up when they receive a surprise discount or a little physical gift? Receiving gifts might be their thing.

Another (super easy) way? Just ask. When onboarding a new client or customer, include a quick question about their communication preferences. Something as simple as “Do you prefer emails, calls, or video check-ins?” can tell you a lot. You can even take it a step further with a survey asking how they like to receive updates, recognition, or support. Not only does this make their experience better—it also shows you care about how they want to be communicated with.

Once you figure out what makes them feel valued, write it down. Copper CRM makes it easy to track customer preferences, so you can note if they prefer a personal touch, love a good surprise, or respond best to detailed updates. That way, you don’t have to guess, you just know!

Speak your clients’ language today!

Different customers connect in different ways, and knowing their preferences can take your relationships to the next level. Whether they lean towards words of affirmation, quality time, proactive service, thoughtful gifts, or tangible experiences, meeting them where they are makes all the difference.

And here’s the thing: while we all have a dominant love language, the real magic happens when we learn to speak all five. Your customers might lean toward quality time, but that doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate a thoughtful thank-you note or a surprise discount now and then. So don’t be afraid to mix it up—show appreciation in multiple ways, and you’ll build stronger, longer-lasting customer relationships.

The best part? Copper CRM helps you keep track of these little details so you can build long-term loyalty with ease. Try it today for 14-days free!