<p>Yesterday I got a surprise in the mail. A movie gift card as a thank you, from a business associate who I had sent a customer to. A small gesture - but a very powerful one! It made a huge impression on me. Chances are very high that I'll do more business with him. It wasn't the fact that I got something for free that made the impact. It was the randomness of the gift and that he took the time to make the gesture. It made me feel my efforts were appreciated.</p>
<p>Rarely in this society do we say thank you to people who do business with us. As a small business owner, your biggest asset is your existing customer base. Research has shown that it costs seven times more to find new customers than to keep the existing ones. So why not shower your clients with kindness? Show them you appreciate their business? That's the best way to build loyal customers and keep them coming back. You need to stay in touch so they don't forget you.</p>
<p>And I am not talking about some lame newsletter or bombarding them with Twitter messages about your products. I am talking about taking the time to do some personalized marketing, using the tools described below.</p>
<p><strong>1. Send a card.</strong> Other than bills and junk mail, most of us rarely get mail anymore. Sending a hand-written thank you note makes a great impression. Or use a service like SendOutCards, that will mail cards in your handwriting on demand. It doesn't cost a lot of time to make a big impact.</p>
<p><strong>2. Pick up the phone. </strong> Call clients the day after they buy to see if they are happy with their purchase and thank them for shopping with you. One of my gift basket clients did that and saw her repeat business jump 30% in one quarter! </p>
<p><strong>3. Make them feel special.</strong> I got an invite to a VIP event at one of my favorite clothing stores last week. Not only was the event invite only and included a hefty shopping discount, we were handed a gift bag at the door filled with gorgeous stuff - a total surprise! The event was a hit and I've been telling all my friends about the store. Make people feel special and you will get customers for life.</p>
<p><strong>4. Practice random acts of surprise.</strong> Give customers unexpected gifts that are fun or whimsical. Don't stick to branded calendars or pens or always sending coffee cards. One company gave me a funky stainless steel water bottle that I take everywhere with me. People always comment on it, and I tell them the name of the company - no branding needed on the bottle. Another sent a potted plant. Give people something tht they will enjoy - books, chocolates, funky shopping bags, gift cards to local businesses. These kind of random acts have huge impact on people.</p>
<p>It's very important as a small business to really focus on keeping your customers loyal to you. Do some personalized marketing on a consistent basis and I think you will be very surprised at the results!</p>
2009-10-27T15:16:08Z
2009-10-28T06:12:11Z
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reach-out-and-touch-someone
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2009-10-28T02:11:31Z
2009-10-28T06:12:11Z
It's very important as a small business to really focus on keeping your customers loyal to you. Do some personalized marketing on a consistent basis and I think you will be very surprised at the results!
Reach Out and Touch Someone
1
2009-10-28T06:12:11Z