Small Business Marketing - Magic Business Words - "Thank You"

We may be connected to everyone via the Internet, blackberries, smart phones, bluetooths, Facebook, Twitter and yes....Blogging! But there are basic proprieties that will get you far and move mountains in the small business world.

You need to master the Magic Business Words....Thank You!
Simple. To the Point. And yet they can make miracles happen. Most people remember what's most recent so if the last interaction you have with a customer or supplier is offering sincere gratitude - they will most likely remember "she was friendly" or "he appreciates my work."

So how do you apply it?

1. Send a thank you card to your customer after they've bought or used your services. It's all about that lasting impression. This is a cheap way to put yourself in front of someone again (Remember, everything you do is marketing when you're a small business owner) plus throw in a couple of business cards - you never know when they might make a referral.

2. Send thank you cards to people who refer you. They just did the leg work for you and brought in business, you need to acknowledge and thank them for it. It might be a good idea to throw in a gift card (and more business cards!) to show your appreciation. People who refer are gold mines. Don't neglect them.

3. Don't forget your suppliers or vendors. These are the behind-the-scenes crew that help make your business work. I have a printer I use who gives me rush turnaround for free whenever I need it all because I went above and beyond to be nice in the beginning. It's important to acknowledge quality service when you're a small business. Send a thank you or letter of recommendation to the big wigs of the company you buy from. Think of how much your account rep will love you if their boss gives them a raise for the review you wrote. It's all about karma here folks. Good begets good.

4. Send a thank you for no reason. Yes I just said it. What about a customer who hasn't been by in awhile or a portion of your database that you've been out of touch with? Send them one of those "Thanks for being you!" kind of cards and then tell them that you appreciate their business. It might be the reminder or push that sets you apart from your competitors and brings them back. No one can criticize sincerity. Can you imagine..."Yes that John Smith at ABC Widgets has such nerve, sending me a thank you card for no reason." It's will always be in your favor.

Something you should avoid if possible:
Bulk mailing. I actually dislike those letters that look like someone wrote the address and then realize it's bulk mail. If you can, hand-write all thank yous. The more personable the thank you, the more lasting is someones memory and the more sincere it makes you. Remember, this is a cheap way of marketing so put in a little elbow grease and work the writing fingers.

The payoff can be BIG!

Tips for Creating Professional and Memorable Business Cards

A bit of history...

Business Cards began back in the early 17th century. In the days of Louis XIV,"Visiting cards" were used to introduce the social elite in "all of their solemn glory" in France. "Tradecards" were used by the London shop owners to advertise and act as maps to their location since there was no formal street numbering system at the time. In the 19th century, newspapers took off and tradecards effective advertising dwindled. The French tradition of visiting cards then came to the rest of Europe and America. There was a distinct difference in America between calling cards (social distinction) and business cards.

Have a business? Need a card!

Sounds like a no brainer but business cards are a must for a business. In the least, not having them could be disastrous for a small business. Imagine chatting up your new business with your awesome products and services to someone you just met and then just walking away... expecting that he or she will remember your name tomorrow to look you up. It's not feasible or efficient. Business cards are pocket-sized which means they're easy to have on your person at all times and when you give them away, it's easy for them to put in their own pocket, wallet or purse. It's not convenient to pull out a brochure or sales binder.

Professional versus "just printed"

You just spent 30 seconds reading about how business cards came from the French social elite and were used to announce someones visit to a household in "all of their solemn glory." Think they spent some time to make sure the cards reflected their "glory?" You bet! Your business cards reflect you, your professionalism, the quality of your business...everything in that little card! So when you go to the office supply - pick out the cheapest paper, design your cards in 5 mins and print them out on your printer which is running low on ink - what does that card say to the potential customer? "I'm cheap, rush through jobs and don't care about a quality product." It doesn't mean you have to go spend hundreds on business cards. It does mean you need to take some time to decide exactly what you want your cards to say. Above all else your business cards should say you are a professional.

Memorable and Unique

While you're developing your cards, try thinking outside the box a little.

Try a different shape: Long and skinny, rounded corners, leaf style, circle, half-round...there are lots of choices that could fit your business style.

Colors & Pictures: Try spicing up thinks with a cool background that fades in one corner or use your signature colors. People respond well to colors and textures but remember to still keep it professional.

More than just contact info: Print a map on the back, add a spot to write a next appointment time, get folded cards which can have a list of products or services. This is another way to stand out.

Get sticky: Printers can make your business cards into magnets or stickers which is another way to make it easy for people to keep them around.

Plastic, Linen, Metal & More: This can be more costly but changing the material might be what you're looking for.

There are printers out there with a variety of variations on business cards that are well priced and affordable.

Whatever you do, make it count! Once you design your business cards, the work is done, and you only have to worry about re-orders. Spend the time in the beginning and you'll have your business headed in a great direction with professional and memorable business cards.

Don't be Afraid to Ask the Question

Had a wonderful experience today when someone from our monthly Map Dot Bulletin email list sent us an email asking if we knew the actual date of when the Meadow Vista Pool would be opening.

I thought it was great that this person would not be afraid to ask the question. So many times in life we wonder or question something and usually the first solution (to the tech generation) is to get on the internet and "google" it. That's usually what I say to my dad when he's curious about something. But today this person might have searched and because there are very little resources online for small towns like Meadow Vista - they couldn't find the answer. So they came back to us!

Someday soon www.ThisIsMyTownUSA.com will be that complete online resource for small towns like Meadow Vista, CA. I get more excited when we have little victories like this that help reinforce our goal to connect small towns together with an online resource center. As it goes I have sent off an email to the person who heads up the Meadow Vista Pool re-build and I expect to be able to answer our curious gentleman in the nearest future.

Cheers to those who aren't afraid to ask the question!