5 Resident Appreciation Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank
Do your residents know how much you appreciate them? It’s so important to show them that you are grateful they picked your community to make their home.
It's easy to lose a little steam as the year is winding down. It's like our bodies and minds want to go into hibernation mode! But we can't let our marketing and retention go into hiding. Have you ever heard it said, "Summer bodies are made in the winter"? It's the same thing with our communities. The work we do in the winter months pays off all year round, so don't stop hustling!
Why should you even be worrying about focusing on resident appreciation initiatives? Taking the extra step to actually show your residents how thankful you are builds a level of trust with them that you wouldn’t get otherwise. Let’s face it, trust is everything. When they trust you, they’re more likely to renew and they’re more likely to refer friends, which are the two biggies right? Keep current residents and get new leases?
We’ve gathered a few ideas for you to choose from (or choose all) to show your residents all the love as the year ends.
1.) Create a Compliment Wall for Your Residents
It’s the perfect time for spreading love and goodness! Life can sometimes get mundane, but during the holiday season, life gets a little more hectic and STRESSED. Part of your role as a leasing professional is to create welcoming environment and the feeling of home at your community - for everyone. It’s an intimate (and often overlooked) part of your job that can reach the hearts of your residents (and keep them renewing).
So here is a FREE, but powerful Daily Dose idea: A compliment wall. Put a smile on your resident’s faces by starting off with some unexpected compliments in unexpected places.
How to make it happen?
Try this in the laundry center or the mailroom. Pick a place that’s not so exciting and would be happy to have a spruce up.
Give the room a facelift with chalkboard contact paper and a large frame!
Keep a bucket of colorful chalk right next to it for residents to use.
Get the compliments started with a few for your residents!
“ ____ Apartments team loves our residents! We have the best people making up our community”
“Our residents are the best! Their happy faces make it a pleasure to come to work every day!”
Be sure to take photos and post on your social media sites to spread the love.
2.) Start a Senior Fridge Fill Up INitiative
Can you imagine what a fridge full of love could mean to a senior?
Pick one senior and stock up their fridge or pantry with goodies! It’s beautiful to give back to residents, and really brighten someone's day. You’re helping out someone’s parent or grandparent; imagine the long-lasting impression that would make!
This is an especially fantastic gesture for someone who may be on a fixed income and who would appreciate (and maybe is in need of) the extras.
Remember: resident retention leads to great word of mouth marketing.
How to make it happen?
Select a resident. You could do a random drawing, a contest, or select your longest-tenured resident. You’ll need to let them know they’ve been selected for a fridge fill up - no need to sneak in when they aren’t home.
Ask for any dietary restrictions! No fun getting snacks you can’t enjoy.
Grab a cute box and fill it to the brim!
Be sure to include a cute graphic, and deliver it to their home!
3.) Help your residents Send a Long-Distance Hug this season
Click Here to Grab this Graphic
So many of our residents don’t live near their families. Oof, that’s tough. :( Kids who don’t live with parents, or parents are divorced, or their grandkids or grandparents live miles away. This Daily Dose is a great event for your residents to boost retention, and cover a bit of outreach (think of the recipients!) Send a long-distance “HUG” to these families to warm hearts - for both recipients and your residents. We can imagine few gifts sweeter than opening a life-size hug from a family member!
How to make it happen?
Grab your Sprout graphics and post them on social media, and around the community to invite your residents to come in for this easy event. Not a member? Sign up here for access.
Provide all the materials for kids to create their life-sized postcards!
Some rolls of paper
Markers, crayons, and stickers - think kid-friendly here; decorations that don't stain or need drying time.
Large Envelopes
Postage (if applicable)
Trace out kids’ outstretched arms, hands and heads on the paper.
Let kids color themselves in, and decorate with supplies you provided.
Once they’ve finished, fold it up and send it off in an envelope. Check your budget - You can even cover the postage and send to whoever they decide, too.
4.) Spread Love to Your residents with Surprise Notes
Imagine it’s Monday morning, and you’re rushing to get out the door. You get to your car and see a note that says “Have a great day, number one mom!” or “You’re the best resident. We are thankful for you!” That would make our day, and we are sure your residents would love it too! Spread the love and make someone’s day with an unexpected surprise note.
How to make it happen?
Get together a list of residents you’d like to surprise or decide to do a blitz with your whole team and do it for all the cars in the parking lot.
Print out your compliments on card-stock (so they’ll last longer)
You can start generic with “Looking sharp! Have a great day!” or get a bit more personal if you know them well. “Good luck on your marathon!” “Have fun on your family vacation!”
Want to kick it up a notch? Pair this with a done-for-you bundle from our Sprout Shop. (We have plenty of options for you to pick from and find just the right one.)
Pick a day and assign a team member to head out before everyone is up and out the door to plant the surprises.
If the weather doesn’t permit, or their car isn’t accessible, you may opt to leave at the doorstep as a better choice.
Important: Be sure to sign with “ - The Team at ____ Apartments”. You don’t want your residents getting creeped out, wondering who left them nice notes.
5.) RSVP to relaxation - Set up Chair Massages at the office for your residents
SPROUT MEMBERS: Get this flyer customized.
Let’s set up a “Pamper Your Residents” station with a complimentary chair massage. Pick a Saturday (or any day) to treat your residents to a relaxing thank you for being great. Our residents have busy lives and could all use a little bit of TLC. Visit massage schools and reach out to independent therapists. They’re likely looking for a way to get more clients and would be up for a few hours at your community either inexpensively, or even free of charge for a little marketing exposure.
How to make it happen?
Set a date and promote, promote, promote! Grab your graphics from Sprout and post on social media and around the community.
Invite residents to RSVP by commenting on social posts or have a sign up sheet at the office with specific time slots.
Think about extending the offer to prospects, too. If you have two massage therapists come in, you could have one dedicated to residents and the other for prospects. “Come in for a tour and get a free massage this [insert day]!”
Ask the massage therapist to bring some business cards for residents for some cross-promotion!
BONUS: Discuss the possibility to have the massage therapist come back and/or offer a special discount for your residents. If they have a few days of guaranteed bookings at your community, they may be open to an agreement!