Words are incredibly powerful for handling clients’ conversations as businesses often can truly either make or break customer service experiences. Using the right empathy statements and phrases for customer service makes all the difference between a poor or delightful experience.
According to the Empathy Index, “Empathy is more important to a successful business than it has ever been, correlating to growth, productivity, and earnings per employee.”
It is not possible for businesses to provide 100% effective solutions all the time. But what they provide is the best empathetic words in all the points of interaction to deliver a positive experience. Beyond feeling good for your customer and boosting key business metrics, using empathy statements in customer service can be good morale-boosting for your team.
Why empathy statements are important?
Simply put, an empathy statement is defined as the act of understanding your customer’s experience in a way that you are sensitive to your customer’s thoughts and feelings.
Empathy statements for customer service show your ability to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”. By using the right phrases from the empathy word list can help so much in making customers feel that they are understood, respected, and their feelings are validated.
Here are the benefits of empathy statements in customer service and acting with compassion.
- Increased sales conversions – Truly understanding your customers’ needs means reflecting on their fears, desires, pain points. In case your sales team fails to understand your customers, how can you expect them to explain how your products or services fit their lives? And here the power of empathy in business can be realized.
- Accelerated productivity and innovation – Customer support teams with strong empathy skills are more productive and innovative. It means if you want to increase efficiency and expand the number of problems you can solve for customers, you need to hire support reps with strong “soft skills.”
- Expanded engagement and collaboration – When team members and managers express empathy and a willingness to act compassionately toward customers, it is a strong reason that companies would attract highly engaged individuals. Empathetic companies have better retention and higher morale among employees.
A great example of empathy statement for customer service
Ryanair’s empathy success story after implementing their “Always Getting Better” program. It helped to sort many customer annoyances like hidden charges, unallocated seating, and carry on baggage restrictions. Ryanair saw a net profit increase from €867 million to €1.24 billion (US$1.39 billion).
CEO Michael O’Leary famously remarked, “If I’d only known to be nice to customers was going to work so well, I’d have started many years ago.”
30 examples of empathy statements, phrases & words for customer service
Expressing empathy is a good, natural, and honest way to promote relationships, both personally and professionally. Using an empathetic statement or short phrase can create a connection during a customer conversation. It requires your complete attention to the conversation and you are ready to take responsibility for them.
Your customer support team should be naturally empathetic, or they should be. That being said, nobody can be perfect all the time. We have compiled a few lists of empathetic statements and phrases to help inspire your team to craft even more empathetic responses across different scenarios.
Acknowledging customer frustration
Possibly, the best thing you can do is to acknowledge how your customer feels. When you try to connect with their pain or struggles, it makes them feel supported. It shows that you are genuinely putting effort to understand their feelings.
When customers are frustrated, they just want to be heard attentively. They want validation that what they are going through is really very difficult.
Here are some examples of empathy statements that can be used to acknowledge or validate customer pain points.
1. “I am sorry you are going through this.”
Saying sorry when your customers are upset is a great way to start mending the relationship, and shows that you understand that they have been made to feel negative about your business.
By feeling sorry for what they have gone through, you create a sense of accord. It just not shows empathy for the unfortunate situation, but also assures them that their feelings are understandable.
2. “Oh! That sounds really challenging.”
Using these empathy words shows that you are personally involved in the conversation. This personal approach demonstrates a willingness to identify with the customer’s problems and build a trustworthy relationship.
Customers feel comfortable when they find you genuinely listening to their problems and appreciate your customer service etiquette
3. “I can understand how that would be difficult.”
You can’t empathize with customers unless you understand their pains. Outstanding support is defined by genuine empathy and it is crucial to convey to your customers. Listen to them carefully to read their emotions and relate how they feel.
It shows your customer’s side.
Align with your customers with empathy words
Going through difficulties can be a terrible experience for anybody. That is the reason why people share their struggles as if they are longing for connection. They want someone to show interest in their story and understand how they are feeling.
The best way to connect with someone is not by talking, but by listening. Show you care by asking questions and showing a genuine interest in what they have to say.
Some examples of empathy statements to align conversations with customers:
4. “I can imagine what you must be going through.”
There are certain situations or incidents that we can relate to when we hear from customers. By using empathy statements, you can support your customers and make them feel that they have been really going through a tough time.
When you align your statements along with your customers they open up explaining in detail. It helps you to understand your customer’s situation better and serve them better.
5. “I wish I could make it better.”
Not always you can provide a feasible solution to your customers but every time you can comfort them with your empathetic words. Listening to them patiently to what they have gone through is enough.
6. “It makes me really sad to hear this happened.”
When you show that you are equally sad by listening to what customers have experienced with your product or service, they feel that you are validating their problem and will be able to get a feasible solution.
Reassure your customers with empathetic phrases
When customers reach out to you they look for concrete information or effective solutions. The customer service agents should have a full understanding so as to make the process of what happens next, clear to the customer.
Reassuring the customers that the company will be striving to fix their issues creates a good impression and further builds brand rapport.
Here is the example of empathy statements below to show how to reassure customers.
7. “Thank you so much for notifying us about the issue.”
When you appreciate your customers for reporting about any product issue or complaining about any service, and assure them to act on it positively, it makes them feel happy that there will be no future hassle.
Giving credence to your customer complaints and valuing their feedback encourages them to reach you when they face any problem.
8. “We will get your issue resolved positively.”
Reaffirming customers that you will provide a quick and effective resolution helps to strengthen the rapport between you and customers. When you use such statements, customers set expectations that you are putting effort to fix the issue faster.
Using ‘we’ gives an idea to the customers that it is the effort of the whole team and their issue is set as a priority.
9. “You are totally right.”
Saying customers that they are saying is absolutely correct shows respect and empathy for their opinions. It also displays that you are considering your customer’s predicament.
Offer gratitude for honest feedback
Generally, customers don’t share their opinions as it is not valued or given an empathetic response.
When someone chooses to open up to you, it shows they really trust you. It’s your job to honor that and respond with care. Offer gratitude to them for sharing their experience in terms of good or bad feedback will always benefit your company.
Let your customers know that you appreciate their sharing with you and acknowledge that it will be implemented. When you do this, it signals that you are a safe harbor for vulnerability.
Here are empathy statements for call centers that can help you to deliver a pleasing response.
10. “Thank you! We appreciate your honest feedback.”
Generally, customers do not prefer giving feedback due to many reasons. Customer feedback is the best way to improve your overall brand. When they provide their honest feedback, thanking them gives a very good impression.
When you use statements full of gratitude, it expresses that you are genuinely thankful for the feedback they provided.
11. We are grateful for sharing your opinions with us. It will surely benefit our company.”
Companies that welcome customer feedback grow by increasing their loyal customer base. Feedback if looked in to carefully bring golden opportunities for every business.
Expressing gratitude to the customers should be practiced whenever they reach you out with complaints, feedback, or ideas.
12. We appreciate the feedback you gave. Thank you for your precious time.”
Feedback covers the overall customer experience with your products or services. When you ask customers for feedback, it involves their time to provide it.
Always appreciate and thank them for spending time to share their feedback with you.
Sound encouraging with your empathetic statements
It is very important to be encouraging and motivating when your customers are going through a tough time.
Where one side shows customers to fix the issue or look at the brighter side; rarely helps although intentions are good, the other side is that you can’t be encouraging. You simply have to be mindful of how you approach it.
Instead saying, “it will get better” or “here’s what I would do,” remind customers that they are important for your business and you always value them.
Here are some good examples of empathy statements and phrases.
13. “You are really strong .”
Listening to the entire story and concluding that the customer is a strong person sounds encouraging. It makes the customer feel that you really admire the way he handled the situation.
Besides, using good empathetic words helps you to maintain your brand credibility.
14. “You are truly a fighter.”
Businesses can not replace the pain of the tough times customers have gone through, but certainly, they can empathize with them. Customer service agents must practice active listening to understand the entire customer journey.
Using empathetic words surely motivates them and you are there to help them in every possible way.
15. “I’m proud of you.”
When we say such empathy phrases to customers, it shows you find them strong enough to handle the tough time. It makes them feel you are supportive of them and are ready to help them every way you can.
Use the right phrases for defusing tension with customers
When it comes to calming angry or irate customers, skillful use of empathy word list by your agents is very important. By using good emphatic statements, you can tackle difficult or angry customers.
Here are the best empathy statements for customer service to be followed to calm down irate customers.
16.“May I arrange for an update call, at a time most convenient for you?”
Handling angry customers can be frustrating for call center agents still, they should be taken as seriously as possible, and formally empathetic language should be used at all times.
These empathy statements should be repeated at various points throughout the customer service conversations. It helps to diffuse the anger and reach out to the solution faster.
17. “Thank you so much for your patience, Sir.”
When customer service agents encounter a furious customer, the first thing is to offer some words of empathetic reassurance. It helps in reducing their anger significantly.
18.“For the quickest resolution, I would request you to…”
It is important to remember that, regardless of how unpleasant he or she might be as a person, each and every one of your customers is an essential source of revenue for your business.
When it comes to handling stressful situations, properly using words and phrases can go a long way in creating a positive service experience.
Follow up with customers with good empathy statements
One of the key aspects of customer service is following up with customers. When you make follow up, it helps to comfort them with the knowledge that their issue is being treated. The customers are updated about the process and they stay positive about the whole circumstance.
Here are some examples of empathy statements for a call center that shows that you commit and follow up with customers.
19. “I will get in touch with you we have the latest update”
When you make such commitment to customers, make sure that you keep your words as it helps to establish trust between the company and the customer.
Keeping the promise helps in building long standing relationships.
20. “We assure you to fix your issue. You enjoy your holidays. I will contact you shortly”
When you acknowledge your customer’s personal holidays, it allows you to add a personal touch to your interaction.
Basing your services across your customer’s schedule demonstrates an empathetic approach.
21. “Please let us know if you have additional questions.”
When you encourage future contact with your customers, it helps to show your company’s commitment towards strengthening your customer relationship and foster advancement in the rapport between the customers and agents.
Provide a sense of urgency with right empathy statements
Providing a sense of immediacy with proper phrases is as important as customer inquiry for the businesses. These empathy statements are more important for irate customers. Agents can use the right words and reduce customer anger.
Here are the best empathy statements for irate customers that show a caring approach.
22. “I appreciate you reported to us about the problem. We will look on to it immediately”
At times customers identify some issues that businesses have overlooked. When customers reach out to you, highlighting such issues, you should assure them that the issue they have raised is right.
By using empathy phrases that appreciate them will allow the customers to believe that all their efforts are valued by your company.
23. “I have identified the problem.”
Conveying the advisor’s experience in handling calls of this nature provides the customer with a strong indication of the ability of the call center professional to find a swift solution to the query.
24. “I will be helping you with…”
When you use such empathy statements for customer service, it shows that you are taking control of the situation, which allows the customer to feel as if the problem has been handed over to the agents.
It also shows that you are personalizing the matter and making the customer feel special.
25. “The issue will be fixed completely in two business days.”
There are certain issues that can not be resolved in a day. When customer service agents provide a relevant timeframe for query resolution, it is very important that the agent makes customers feel relaxed.
When you provide an estimated time for resolution, the customers are in a positive mind of getting the feasible solution after a day or two.
Building strong customer relationships
There are times when customers are not convinced by the answers you give them. Starting an empathetic conversation is the key to handle such situations and building strong customer relations.
But how do you empathize with a customer in such a scenario?
Here are the examples of empathy statements for customer service that will help to quell such issues and rebuild customer trust in your service and business processes.
26. “We value customers who provide their feedback. I assure you to share it with the respective team.”
When you exhibit that you value the customer feedback and take proactive actions to imply it, customers tend to share honest feedback that turns to be golden opportunities for your business.
Describing the process of sharing the feedback across the right team and departments show your well defined process in handling customer concerns.
27. “I have encountered a similar issue, so I understand quite better . Let me check the best way I can help you with.”
One of the best ways to use empathy statements is by sharing their own experiences with the customers. Sharing such things with customers signals that it is not only he but many have faced such an issue.
The customers feel comforted by the fact that they will be getting a solution soon.
Wrapping up the conversation
While closing the conversation, support agents must still maintain a respectful tone and maintain their empathetic attitude so that customers feel comfortable voicing more concerns and stay satisfied with the service they have received.
Here is the example of good empathy statements that can be used while signing off with a customer and staying empathetic.
28. “Is there anything else that I can help you with Sir/Madam?”
When you use phrases to assist your customer concerns further it shows there is no time limit in the job description of your agents and your business has no limitations on providing great customer service.
29. “Your satisfaction is our prime goal. Have we discussed everything that you wanted?”
Conveying customers about your business objectives and showing that you are always on your heels to support them helps to conclude with a sustained empathetic approach.
By using the right words from the empathy word list such as our customer satisfaction as the prime goal summarises the collaborative culture, which is the foundation of empathy.
30. “Thank you for choosing us. Have a good day.”
From all the available options, your customers have chosen you for some reason. Let them know, you truly appreciate their choice to work with your business.
Expressing your pleasure in terms of interacting with customers, serving them, and wishing them a good day makes customers delighted and they will be comfortable in reaching you out in the future.
Final thoughts
Most of the customers’ decisions are largely emotional rather than logical. That’s what makes empathy a great tool to help show customers that you are on their side.
With the right use of empathy statements for customer service, your clients will feel a strong bond with you and your company. And that’s how there is an increase in customer lifetime value (CLTV) and loyalty towards your business.
Believe it or not, you can not always provide the right solution at the right time, but you can always deliver a human connection. The empathy phrases suggested above can handle customers effectively across various situations.
