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Appreciation Marketing

by Tommy Wyatt and Curtis Lewsey

I’ve been a busy girl recently…with speaking engagements, working with my one-on-one business coaching clients, interviews and compiling my next book, which will be available in 2012! And it’s had me reflecting on how we can ensure everything is covered off in our businesses so we don’t drop the ball on anything!

Keeping in Touch with Customers

One of the things that I find about having a full life is the challenge of keeping in touch with customers not to mention remembering special occasions of family and friends (like Birthdays). Do you find that too?

To fit it all in I need to have a good system to ensure I don’t forget the important things both personal and professional.

If you are one of my customers have attended one of my presentations, or even met me at a networking you will probably have received a personalised card in the post from me. As long as you gave me the right postal address. (By the way, I feel sad when they get returned to me because I love the opportunity to show others that I appreciate and value them).

You know I think this kind of thing is an art that is being lost by many in the never ending pursuit to fit everything in or to just go for  ‘the sale’.

A Few Tips to Stand Out from the Business Crowd

Here are a few tips on how to stand out in the crowd, and the start of my posts about appreciation marketing. I’d love to hear how you WOW your customers or how you think you might improve what you’re currently doing! (make sure you check out my special offer to get Your FREE copy of the book Appreciation Marketing)

Under promise and over deliver

  • 'This is the best coffee ever!'

    tell a customer their product will be ready in 7 days and call them to have it delivered in 3- 5 (that way if there is a delay you will still be right to deliver on or before time)

  • when you make an appointment to visit someone’s home or place of work – ring to confirm your appointment and actually be on time. If you can’t be on time make sure you call to apologise and let them know what time you will be able to arrive and check that’s fine for them too. I Know it seems like common sense – but how often have you been let down by a tradesman, or telecommunication company who have made a time to be at your home?

Do the unexpected

  • When posting an order you could gift wrap the item or pop in a nice note or additional gift. It doesn’t have to be anything big maybe even something like a book mark with a book they have purchased. We all love unexpected thoughtfulness.
  • Call a customer to follow up after a sale and ensure they are happy with their product or service. Be prepared to listen to any feedback they have and remedy it as soon as you possibly can.

I know this sounds  obvious but DON’T whatever you do skim over it!!!

Say Thank You – in person and after the sale

  • I know it sounds obvious but when was the last time someone looked you in the eye and said a heartfelt thank you, you know the one where you KNOW they mean it? Practice being really present when you thank others and see what kind of a response you get – a casual ‘oh thanks’ can be just as damaging as not saying thank you at all.
  • Follow-up with a Thank You Card – I love sending cards, they are so unexpected these days and definitely provide a WOW factor.

Sending cards is one of my favourite ways to show others I appreciate them, it’s such a personal way to connect and so much better than an email (for me emails  get lost in the dozens of emails I get per day and don’t feel that special)

The Challenge

The challenge I had been finding with my cards sending was having the appropriate stock on hand as well as the cost of the card and postage, to be honest it wasn’t always convenient so I found myself not doing it as consistently as I would like to, until a gorgeous friend showed me her online system she was using to build her cosmetics business, which was booming by the way!

The Solution

So late last year I started to use a system called send out cards (SOC) that allows me to send out cards from my computer (or even your iphone if you have one) and allows me to send cards spontaneously without having to go and purchase a card and then head to the post box. I can also do it for a fraction of the original costs (gotta love that too).

I can also set up standard cards I use all the time, as well as set up reminders of birthdays and other special occasions so I don’t miss them.

The thing I really love about being able to send cards easily and cost effectively is it allows me to show friends and clients that I care. Of course in Business we know people do business with those they know, like, trust, AND remember. Sending heartfelt cards (with no pitch) has built on that know-like-trust factor AND has kept me top-of-mind, which is what has led to more clients and more referrals.

You can watch our new 3-minute video to find out more and let me know what you think? While you’re watching it, I’d like you to think of anyone you know, including yourself, who would be excited to use the product on the video.

If you watch it and decide it’s something you’d like to try be sure you click on the envelope icon at the bottom of the page here’s the link again. You can click the Join Now button and have your own account set up in a couple minutes. There are no monthly contracts, so with the new free account, you really have nothing to lose by giving it ago. It will make it so much easier to get cards in the mail for birthdays, holidays, thank you, congratulations (wedding, baby, new home, new job, etc.), sympathy, apology, encouragement, nice to meet you or whatever you are inspired to send out.

You can try it out for as little as $15.80 to send 10 Cards, if you find it doesn’t work for you then that’s OK you can cancel your retail membership any time.


P.S. Special Offer – Get Your Very Own Copy of Appreciation Marketing as My Gift to YOU

When you set up a new retail account (remember it’s FREE no joining costs) and purchase 40 recurring credits (which will let you send  20 cards per month at 98cents each) I will send you your own copy of Appreciation Marketing by Tommy Wyatt and Curtis Lewsey valued at $20.99 as my gift to you.

This is my personal offer to you because I know how important having a great appreciation marketing strategy is to your Business. I am only offering this opportunity to the first 10 ACTION Takers and the offer of the free book will close  Friday 16th September, 2011.

Click here to pop over and have a look now you can take me up on my offer or just try it our for as little as $15.80 for 10 cards including postage.



Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos all except the Appreciation Marketing Book graphic