Lagniappe

It’s that little extra. The “hush puppy” left over from making cornbread. The bigger piece of pie because it’s the last one.

It says, “I see you and you matter to me.”  

It’s not marketing. It’s not “the-least-you-could-do-after-how-much-I-spent-with-you” or “you-just-want-me-to-tell-my-friends-and-post-on-social-to-do-your-marketing-for-you.” 

Lagniappe wasn’t created to sell more. It was created to build relationships. Here are some business lagniappe ideas to get you started on what you can do for your customers, vendors, clients or donors to let them know they matter to you:

Here is what seven thought leaders had to say.

Real-Time Personalization Boosts Engagement and Loyalty

“As founder of Rocket Alumni Solutions, the counterintuitive lagniappe we provide isn't a discount or free add-on - it's dedicated time. I personally call new clients 30 days after installation for feedback. These calls have yielded our best product innovations and created such loyalty that our YOY renewal rate hit 94% while competitors hover around 70%.

Chase Mckee, Founder & CEO, Rocket Alumni Solutions - Digital Record Board

Sanctuary Experience Enhances Client Relationships

“As a psychologist who built Clarity Health + Wellness from the ground up, our most valuable lagniappe is what we call "breathing room scheduling." We deliberately leave 15-minute buffers between client sessions, allowing therapists to decompress and clients to never feel rushed out the door. This simple practice has dramatically increased our client retention rates and referrals because people feel genuinely cared for rather than processed.

What truly sets us apart is our community reciprocity approach. We've created shared norms where practitioners "leave a touch of grace for the next" - small courtesies like cracking doors open when leaving or tidying shared spaces.

Changing a transactional therapy experience into something deeper and more meaningful.

Logan Jones Psy.D, Director, Clarity Health + Wellness

Personalized Touches Elevate Guest Experiences

“As the owner of Detroit Furnished Rentals, one simple "lagniappe" that's made a significant difference is providing local coffee in every unit, along with all the fixings needed for that first morning cup. This came directly from guest feedback, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

For business travelers and traveling nurses who make up a large portion of our clientele, we offer custom neighborhood guides with insider tips on restaurants, attractions and services that aren't typically found in generic travel apps. We also partner with local businesses to provide exclusive discounts for our guests at nearby restaurants and experiences.

For us, business travelers need workspaces and reliable services, while weekend tourists want memorable experiences they can't get elsewhere. Tailor your lagniappe to what your specific clients genuinely value.”

Sean Swain, Company Owner, Detroit Furnished Rentals LLC

Photo Documentation Builds Trust in Roofing

“As the owner of Super Roofing, our most valuable "lagniappe" has been our comprehensive photo documentation process. After finding hidden decking rot during a tear-off, we realized homeowners often feel disconnected from what's happening on their roof.

Now, our project managers not only call customers the morning of their job, but we provide real-time photo updates throughout the day showing exactly what we're finding and fixing. We create a final photo report that documents every phase of their project from start to finish. This transparency builds incredible trust - we're not just telling them their roof is protected, we're showing them."

Brian Gleason, Owner, Super Roofing Company 

Free Samples and Kits Boost Confidence

“We offer free finish samples and touch-up kits with every custom kitchen cabinet order. It helps customers feel more confident about their color choices and

We want their cabinets to look great years from now, not just on install day. We've had customers come back and say that small gesture saved them during a minor mishap or when they needed to match new pieces down the line.”

Josh Qian, COO and Co-Founder, Best Online Cabinets

Overdelivering Turns Buyers Into Repeat Customers

“Most companies stop at the transaction. We push past it.

That means giving customers more than they paid for and more than they expected. Whether someone spends $100 or $10,000, we treat them like they're building something important; because they are. One way we show that is by packing small extras with every order. Not expensive gifts. Practical ones. Cleaning kits. Floor samples they didn't ask for. Easy-to-follow install tips printed and shipped with their materials. The kind of things that save time, reduce stress, and eliminate guessing.

We've also built our phone and chat support around real conversations. No scripts. No transfers. Customers talk to someone who knows the product and the process. We train our team to listen first, and then offer real answers. We call people back when we say we will. We follow up when most companies would forget. That builds trust fast. And trust turns first-time buyers into repeat customers.” 

Patrick Dinehart, CMO, ReallyCheapFloors.com 

Holiday Light Tours Transform Client Retention

“One unexpected "lagniappe" that's transformed our client relationships is our personalized holiday light tours. What started as a seasonal offering became our secret client retention weapon. We create custom routes based on clients' neighborhoods and interests, even preloading their favorite music for the experience. 

For corporate clients, we've implemented chauffeur consistency whenever possible. Businesses appreciate knowing the same professional driver will handle their executive transportation, creating a relationship where our chauffeurs learn preferences without being asked. One client mentioned their driver remembered their coffee order and had it waiting.

Allison Andrews, Director of Sales & Marketing, Limitless Limo

As much as I love some of the business lagniappe I’ve listed above, I want to offer a little personal lagniappe. Stop reading right now. And think of who matters to you. Send a note, a text, an email or a card for no reason whatsoever.  

Just to tell someone they matter. Because a little goes a long way.