Hi,
Let me tell you a quick story that’s been living rent-free in my strategy brain this month:
A woman in Florida calls an exterminator. He shows up, does his job, charges a fair price... and disappears from her memory the second the bugs come back.
She calls a different exterminator this time. He does the same job, but leaves behind a red rose and a handwritten thank-you note.
Guess who she called next time? Guess who she told her friends about?
That’s the power of a tiny differentiator.
And in Q4, when every brand is screaming louder than ever, it’s not your product or discount that wins.
It’s your RED ROSE 🌹.
👀 Quick Insight: Most Brands Are Forgettable
67% of customers say they can’t tell the difference between brands anymore.
(Source: Salesforce, State of the Connected Customer)78% of consumers prefer brands that are authentic over purely promotional ones. Only 5% of brands are considered truly unique. (Gitnux & Lippincott, 2025)
Marketing teams obsess over CAC and ROAS, but ignore the most profitable metric in Q4:
🎯 Returning Customer Rate (RCR)
Acquisition costs 5–25x more than retention. If your offer, story, and experience blend in, those customers won’t come back.
Q4 is the worst time to rely on a forgettable funnel.
Your Red Rose November Moves
(Thanksgiving Edition)
Retention > Discounts. Gratitude > Noise. Be the brand they remember.
🌹 1. Handwrite 10 Customer Thank-You Notes
Yes, literally 10. Choose top buyers, longest subscribers, or most engaged leads. Add a branded sticker or local touch and send by post.
Bonus: Include a small loyalty perk: “Here’s a little something for your next visit.”
🧠 Retention ROI: High emotional impact. They’ll share it. And they’ll stay.
🎥 2. Send a “Thankful for You” Video (No Promo!)
Record a short video (30–60s) from your founder or team simply thanking customers for being part of your story. No pitch. Just heart. You can use it in email, social or QR in package inserts.
🧠 People remember how you made them feel, especially when you expect nothing in return.
Red Roses on Video: Authenticity That Converts
91% of people want more video from brands.
64% make a purchase after watching branded social video.
(Source: G2 / Shapo.io 2025)
Video isn’t just popular, it drives conversions. Brands investing in authentic, inclusive video content see more engagement, trust, and sales.
We’re helping brands launch 15-30-second AI videos to plug directly into Meta, Amazon, and Email flows.
Show me how fast & affordable AI video can be
🎁 3. Drop a Mystery Gift with the 2nd Purchase
Surprise loyal customers with a small freebie + note: “You’re on our VIP radar.”
Pet brands: dog bandana or treat
Skincare: gua sha, jade spoon, sample
Fitness: resistance band, sticker pack
Home: tea bag, scent sachet, mini candle, etc.
This way customer feels chosen - not generic.
🧠 Triggers dopamine and repeat behavior.
💌 4. Celebrate a Milestone (Even a Small One)
Send a message like: “You’ve been with us for 90 days / 3 orders - here’s a little something…”
🧠 Customers love to be noticed, not just sold to.
🧧 5. Create a “Give One, Get One” Gifting Moment
Inside each order or email: “We’re grateful for you - and the people you love. Gift a friend $10, and we’ll give you $10 too.”
🧠 Customers want to share a brand that shares back.
🧚 6. Turn Your Confirmation Page into a Personal “Thank You” Moment
“Hey, I’m [Name] - and I just wanted to personally thank you for reaching out. In a season where everyone’s inbox is overflowing, we don’t take your time for granted. We’ll review your request and follow up shortly - no bots, no fluff. Just real people who care about you.”
Bonus: Add a selfie or short Loom video.
🧠 This increases trust. It’s felt.
🦃 7. Include a Thanksgiving Recipe Card with Orders or Invoices
Print or email a favorite fall recipe from your team - pie, stuffing, cider - with a short note:
“From our table to yours - here’s something we love this time of year. Happy Thanksgiving!”
🧠 It’s surprising, warm, and sharable, especially for brands in home, food, or lifestyle.
☕️ 8. Partner with a Local Bakery/Coffee Shop for a Treat Voucher
Include a QR or link to a small local business your audience may love:
“This fall, coffee’s on us. We partnered with [local biz] to surprise you with something warm.”
🧠 Surprise + local love + memory trigger = retention.
🙏🏻 9. Create a “Five Things We’re Thankful For” Email - with Faces
Skip the discount and share:
- A favorite customer story
- A big win
- A team moment
- A behind-the-scenes photo
- A note from the founder
🧠 Transparency, warmth, and story over sales. It feels real.
📦 10. Make Unboxing Feel Like a Gift
Tissue paper, a “To/From” card, or a product care tip - minimal effort, maximum perception lift.
🧠 People share what feels thoughtful.
📥 Want More?
🛠️ Download the Red Rose Retention Ideas Resource
Ideas to turn your customer experience from “meh” to “memorable.”
🔬 Final Thought
You don’t need a better product. You need to make customers feel something they’ll remember.
This Q4, your job isn’t just to sell. It’s to be the brand they call again and talk about.
What’s your RED ROSE 🌹?
Let’s scale smarter,
—Iulia
