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!

Consistent Communication with your Database PAYS off!

Did you know that when polled, 86% of people who had recently used a business or service said they would use that same business again?

The same 86% said they would also refer that Business to their family, friends and co-works but only 7% actually did!

Don't let this happen to you and your small business. Interviews with top professionals in their field listed that staying in front of their database (past customers) often and with something of value, was the number one key to their success.

More relationships means more referrals and more referrals mean more money and a recession-proof business. If you consider that every person in your database is worth $100.00 per month, wouldn't you want to make sure they remember your business and how much they liked working with you? We could be conservative and say that each customer is only worth $25.00 per month but with 500 past customers or clients that would be $12,500.00 per month. Now think bigger. Every person knows 250 people on average and may have up to 200 friends on facebook. They LOVE to refer good people (good businesses) that they trust to everyone they talk to IF they can remember you!

You can't blame them if they forgot about you. You're in business and it's your job (or your marketing department if your big enough to have one) to keep your business in front of people consistently. Client thieves (the ones who advertise) are out there stealing your past and current clients with costly advertising and gimmicks OR....just consistent communication.

Don't have the time or that big marketing department? Hire your kid or a local teen to load names and email addresses in MS Outlook or some other database software program. Then start off your Monday with a quick email with either a special, a tip or update and hit the send button. You need to do more than just say hi. Send something of value and keep it short - an educational tip about your industry, a new special being offered at your business or even an handy tip that saves people money will be worth the time to read it.

Make sure your signature at the bottom of the email has your name and contact information so that when the moment of truth arrives....they remember and refer you!

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