What do you say?

So you’ve got the card. Now what? Sending a card with a generic thank you will go farther than an email, but to get the biggest return, you want your card to be sincere and memorable. If you’re saying thank you for your business, include something about that particular client. For example, if you took care of a specific problem for them, mention you were happy to fix that situation. The more personal you can be in your card, the farther the card will go in making a client loyal to you. That might be more important than you think. Did you know that 68% of customers leave a business because of perceived indifference? A personal card can make them feel appreciated.

If you’ve just met someone at a networking event and you’re sending a nice to meet you card, include a line about the conversation you had. If they commented on how their summer beach plans are threatened by the oil spill, you could say, “I hope the beach will stay oil free for you”. Adding the personal touch tells the person you were listening and were interested enough in them to remember.

Be sure you don’t mix messages. Don’t say thank you, and then tell them about a “special deal”. You will come across as insincere, and as one more salesman just trying to make a buck. Save the “special deal” for the direct sales piece. The cards you send for the above types of business situations are meant to build relationships. However, keep in mind that by building strong relationships, your sales will improve… and it’s as simple as a card.

Next week, I’ll share some card stories.
Amy