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Strengthen Relationships and Attract More Clients With A Personal Note

By Sydni Craig-Hart

Getting anything “good” in the mail these days is a challenge.  Your mailbox is probably filled with bills, direct mail pieces (i.e. junk mail) and things you’d really rather not look at.  Think about the last time you actually received a greeting card or personal handwritten note in the mail.  When was that?  …Perhaps a long time ago.

The truth is, the times you receive a handwritten personalized note are likely few and far between.  That’s why when someone does receive one, it stands out.   This leaves a great impression on the receiver of that personalized note.

Paper and PencilSending a handwritten note to a potential client after a meeting is a great marketing strategy to implement.  One, you have the chance to quickly thank your potential client for the meeting.  Two, it keeps you on top of their mind as they are “thinking” about working with you.  Three, it makes you stand out from the crowd.  If they are “shopping” for service providers, they will be more likely to choose you for your great service, because they are impressed by your gracious follow-up.

But sending a handwritten note doesn’t stop with new potential clients.  This practice should be carried out throughout the life of your relationship with your client.  This means thank you notes when the project is completed, a card acknowledging the anniversary of their business, congratulating them on a BIG win, etc.  It doesn’t take as long as you think!  Taking 5 minutes to write a note will help you to maintain a great relationship with your client, will go a long way towards creating a satisfied customer and will generate referrals.

And, who doesn’t love referrals?

Happy clients will tell their friends, family and anyone who will listen about the great service you provide and the WAY you served them.  The next time your client hears about someone in need of the type of services you provide, guess who they will recommend?  YOU!  Why? Because they had a great experience in working with you and you are on the top of their minds because you stay in touch with them.

The type of card you send should be a mixture of personal style and polished professionalism.  First of all, send the nicest card you can afford.  If you are going to have monogrammed or personalized note cards designed with your business logo, take the time to hire a graphic designer to create a stylish piece.  Be sure they are printed on good quality card stock.  (You don’t want someone who is paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for your services to feel like they got a “cheap” card from a discount store.) Depending on your profession, you will probably want to avoid using the cartoon and caricature type of cards.  These may not support your brand or your business and could detract from your professionalism.

I’m excited to see how this strategy works for you and would love to hear the feedback you get from clients. Please share your success stories with me by posting a comment on the blog!

Filed Under: Attract Perfect Clients, Business Management, Marketing Strategy, Maximizing Your Time, Planning Tagged With: Client Relations, clients, handwritten note, marketing, potential clients, Smart Simple Marketing, Sydni Craig-Hart



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Sydni Craig-Hart
Sydni Craig-Hart

Is your organization looking to gain market share and deepen loyalty with small businesses, women or minorities? Sydni Craig-Hart is CEO of Smart Simple Marketing and a 4th generation entrepreneur. Since 2006, her team, having worked with over 8,000 small business in 79 different industries, has been helping companies to drive engagement with sought-after, growing market segments. If you want to increase the value of existing-customer spend, recapture marketing investments, grow customer lifetime value or decrease attrition, contact Sydni to discover how her team is doing this for companies like Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and more.

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Comments

  1. Rose-Anne Raies says

    July 9, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    You are so right Sydni. There is nothing like a real card in a real envelope. I send them out to people who refer me business, clients to say thank you, prospects to say I am thinking about you… all types of things. I also do it virtually on my computer but it comes out in my own handwriting with MY signature. It is a great system and it keeps track of all my contacts in categories i.e. referral sources, clients, prospects, etc. Cost of an average card is $1.06. $1.37 if a photo is used. Rose-Anne Raies

    • Sydni Craig-Hart says

      July 14, 2010 at 4:59 PM

      I love that you’ve systematized this process Rose-Anne! You must be talking about SendOutCards! I used them for a while, but found I prefer to use my own stationary and my real handwriting. To me, it just makes a difference. 🙂

  2. Rachel says

    July 9, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    Love this strategy! I’ve started a monthly ‘Keep In Touch’ system for my 10 best prospects, 10 best JV/referal sources and 10 best clients/past clients. And once a quarter I’ll be sending them a handwritten note. I think the small gesture goes and long way and it surprises people. How often do you get a handwritten note rather than email.

    Another awesome e-zine Sydni! You rock!

    • Sydni Craig-Hart says

      July 14, 2010 at 4:58 PM

      Thanks for the feedback Rachel! I love your system and am thrilled to hear how it’s working for you. It’s amazing what an effect the note has on people. Keep up the great work!

  3. Sarah Anma says

    July 12, 2010 at 12:18 PM

    This article is so timely! I am in the process of printing up thank you cards with my beautiful logo on them and thanks to your article, I will make sure to get the best possible paper! I know what I want but had forgotten to make certain that the printer knew what I wanted…
    Thank you for helping me build even better relationships with my clients!

    • Sydni Craig-Hart says

      July 14, 2010 at 4:57 PM

      That’s so exciting Sarah! I’m so glad you found the article helpful. Make sure to send me a card so I can see your pretty new stationary! 🙂

  4. Patti Glick says

    August 18, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    Sydni is absolutely spot on with everything she says. For those who want to use the convenience of technology, while still using your own handwriting and signature, AND still have it go through the real mail, with a real stamp, check this out: http://www.SendOutCards.com/17176

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