In 1940, Dale Carnegie wrote a classic entitled ?How to Win Friends and Influence People?. That book is still worth millions today. Become genuinely interested in others and take note to appreciate their business. In today's competitive world differentiation is what sets you apart and being genuinely interested is a key differentiator in selling client value. Clients devour conducting business with those they can trust and respect.
One of the simplest methods to appreciate clients is a simple and personal thank you note. In this article I speak of a clearly written hardcopy note. Prospective clients are overwhelmed with a myriad of notes, letters and other ridiculous correspondence. Ironically, the influx of electronic communication has pained many. As such, direct mail is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics direct mail in the United States has increased so the suggestion is to follow the trend. Use the United States Postal Service to send correspondence to clients. Refrain from all the electronic correspondence to clients.
Professionals that are different are memorable. Electronic mail comes and goes but hardcopy notes last. Although you might save imperative email, they are do not remain in sight since many of your file your emails. However, handwritten notes are placed on credenzas, bookshelves and desks- within view of the prospective client, management, even competitors! These intimate economical cards provide a level of differentiation in today's competitive market.
You have three options in sending a card:
1. Commercial Printing ? If you want to make an impression, have cards professionally designed and die-cut with your corporate name and logo. These are inexpensive and illustrate professionalism bar none.
2. Home ? Office Printing ? Most home computers and their printers are extremely durable and reliable. Ensure professional design yet also invest in good quality paper.
3. Stock Commercial ? Commercial retail provides stock cards for general business and personal use. While not recommended this is a good alternative initially.
In addition to thank you notes, other personal written gestures include:
1. Introductory letters prior to a cold call
2. Follow letters for proposals and contracts
3. Notes for receipt of letters of recommendation
4. Follow up to information when the client does not respond
5. Any imperative data that provides a conduit to a valuable relationship
If you truly illustrate your genuine interest in others and desire more sales with less labor send begin some form or hardcopy written correspondence. I know that what I suggest requires altering behavior, however, if you truly desire more business and want clients to find you- there is a need to be different. Selling is not about money- it is about creating a cadre of clients that speak highly about you creating a flow of business in your direction. Like all things in life, departing the comfort zone requires change. However, if you desire more business then remember this quote from Mahatma Gandhi, ?Be the change you want to see.? Take the time today to implement this change and watch your competitive gap widen to increase your sales!
Copyright (c) 2008 Drew Stevens PhD
These days there are Thank You cards for almost all eventualities -Thank You For Having Me, Thank You For My Present, Thank you Mom, Thank You Teacher. Many of us are saying Thank You but not all of us find it that easy and that's where the Greeting Card Industry can help with a personalized thank you card. Whilst it might seem that Thank You Cards are the salvation of those who just can't 'say' the words, they are also just perfect for the rest of us who can.
Thank You Cards are all around us. There are hundred of companies bidding for our custom. They jump out at us from the card racks, and blink at us on the computer. Of course email makes things so much more immediate. That's great for those of us who take our time over these things. Our excuse might be that it takes time out of our busy lives to go and shop for a card.
Sometimes we may not know that we want one, then the thought comes to us of the very person we could send one to.
But rather than think of the profits involved for the card companies, think of the profit being stored up for yourself.
Many years ago I heard a story about kind thoughts and actions being tallied up as gold dust. Every time we did something kind for someone our good actions were stored as gold dust - in their pocket. If we later did something 'out of character' that didn't tie in with they knew of us, they had this store of good actions - or gold dust to feel. If there was more gold dust than air then we were still thought well of, and the 'unkind' action was dismissed.
So perhaps we are storing up good deeds, and the profit (if you like) is purely ours.
But let's get real. Who ever said that card-giving needed analyzing? Just do the thing!
Just look at all the occasions we have to send a thought back. Saying Thank You with a genuine motive of appreciation demonstrates the pattern of both giving and receiving a kindness.
Think of the pleasure and satisfaction you get when you unexpectedly give a gift or a card to someone you care about. They'll always have the card to remind them. You have the memory of giving.
No doubt there are many in the Greeting Card Industry who look at such things as trends and forecasts, personality types and human behavior. After all, they really need to. It's this kind of information that helps them create just the perfect card for us to choose to give to that someone special.
It's because Thank You cards can and should be sent for almost any occasion that we have so many cards and messages to choose from. Remember the days of ten cards being just too much to choose from?
Why are there so many? Well it comes back to us, our personalities, and the occasion. We have to get everything right: the words and the picture.
Here's our thinking: - 'Are they sincere, appropriate, too long, too flowery, will they say the right thing in the right way, and will I be understood/mis-understood'? And you thought you just bought a card? Perhaps we're actually buying into so much more, but we don't know it.
Thank You Cards allow us to show our emotions and how we appreciate others efforts on our behalf. And they let us share a little bit of ourselves with someone else.
So if someone does you a kindness this week, show them that you have taken their action to heart. Give back, by choosing, writing and then sending a personal card to someone you know. Thank them for their kindness, their friendship and their love.
Send, or give a Thank You Card, and see how that makes them - and you feel.
Both Drew Stevens & Geraldine Jozefiak are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Drew Stevens has sinced written about articles on various topics from Telemarketing, Customer Service and Fundraising. Drew Stevens PhD is known as the Sales Strategist. Drew assists organizations to dramatically accelerate business growth. He is the author of seven books including Split Second Selling and Split Second Customer Service and Little Book of Hope and is frequ. Drew Stevens's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Geraldine Jozefiak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Family and Advertising Guide. Geraldine Jozefiak has written widely on how to choose and write a . Greeting Card Guide gives you the latest news, trends and pr. Geraldine Jozefiak's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.