Reciprocity suggests that when someone does something for you, you feel a natural urge to return the favour. This concept is deeply rooted in human behaviour and social psychology.
When you offer something valuable to your customers - maybe a small gift or a personalised thank you note - you not only improve your customer’s experience, you’re also doing a favour for your customers that compels them to reciprocate. It can result in coming back to your shop to buy again, leaving a positive review or even recommend your shop to their friends and family.
One of the most effective and cheapest ways to implement reciprocity is through thank you notes. Consider including a handwritten (or a photocopy of one) thank you note with every order. This personal touch makes your shop standout, and it shows customers that you genuinely appreciate their business.
This effect can be strengthened by including a ‘VIP coupon code’ with your note. Doing so makes them feel special and improve the chances of them coming back for future purchases.
Including a small freebie or sample with orders also leverages reciprocity. If you sell skincare products, put a sample of a new product or one of your bestsellers. This allow customers to try something new that they may not have bought otherwise, and they are more likely to return because you've given them something extra.
For digital product sellers, offering freebies can be a bit trickier on Etsy, but it's not impossible. If you have your own website, you can create a free digital download to send to your customers in exchange for their email. For example, if you sell Notion templates, you could offer a free PDF guide on setting up Notion basics. For Etsy, you can consider creating a very low-priced (like $0.20) 'freebie' product, though this method could be a bit clunky and not commonly seen on Etsy.
