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Keeping in touch with your clients and prospects is crucial for your business. It can help maintain and enhance your current client relationship, and set the stage for developing business with new customers. Introducing greeting cards to your marketing strategy will enhance your bottom line in so many ways.. 

Repeat Business/Customer Loyalty: Tell current clients that you are thankful for their business  and support by sending them greeting cards. If you manage to make them feel respected and valued, this will encourage them to come back for more business.

Marketing and Referrals: Place some client case studies or testimonials inside your greeting cards. This kind of real life reference can make your clients believe that it is a right decision to choose your company. They will then suggest you to others.

Customer Appreciation: You would want your clients to think of you as more than just another vendor who cares about nothing but business. Express sincere wishes through your greeting cards to make them feel that they are more than just a customer. This will keep business coming through the door.

To set up an online system to stay in touch with current clients, prospect for new- consider using SendOutCards – online (from you PC, MAC, ipad or iphone) greeting card and gifting system.  SendOutCards – offers a wide variety to choose from and options to send postcards, 2 or 3 panel greeting cards, gifts and gift cards.  You can send one card or develop repeat campaigns to target all your clients.

For more information on how to implement a greeting card system into your follow up routine check out www.sendoutcards.com/80793.   Watch the short video on how others use this product, then send a Free card to someone. 

Over the next two weeks, we’ll spend time with people we love, people who love us, and people who know how to push our best and worst buttons.
--Choose to be the best that you can be. 
--Choose to remain strong and powerful, supportive, and non-judgmental. 
--Choose to let go of patterns that keep you and others chained. 
--Choose to go up the “referral curve” with close friends and family.
--Choose to match your actions, words, tone of voice, and facial expression to make the world a better place.  
--Choose to keep your mouth shut (if what wants to come out isn’t nice).
--Choose to make a difference in each moment with each person.
--Choose wisely now (not after some list of criteria is met).
--Choose to try again (when you make the wrong choice).
--Choose to believe that next year will be better because you will make it that way. 
--Choose to be conscious.
--Choose to choose.
If we choose to do this with the very people we love, with the people who love us, and with the people who know how to push our best and worst buttons, then choosing to do it with everyone else will be easy.  

Choose to notice how your choices create a ripple through your world; through the world.

Excerpt from BNI weekly.

Have a blessed holiday- from Vanessa, SendOutCards and dbjDESIGNS- online and handmade greeting cards and custom paper designs.
www.sendoutcards.com/80793 and blog: www.dbjdesigns.com  and follow me on Twitter @dbj_designs.

One of the first aspects of business that we as entrepreneurs and business owners learn is that it's easier and cheaper to keep existing customers and clients that it is to get new ones. A lot of time can go into getting leads and landing a sale. However, marketing is only one component of your business strategy.

Excellent customer service should be a top priority in any business, regardless of its size. It's easy to get caught up in the cycle of trying to attract new business that you neglect customer retention, especially in the early stages. But, if you expect your business to grow and thrive, it is essential that you evaluate whether you're providing the best over-all customer service.

Below are five things your customers and clients want and how you can deliver good customer service:

1. They want to know that your product or service will enhance their life--that is, can you solve their specific problem? Be straight-forward and confident in letting them know what you can do for them. Be up front in stating how your products and services make the lives of your customers better so they can make a decision.

2. They don't want to go through a bunch of changes in order to do business with you. Make it easy for your customers and clients to understand your prices, policies, and procedures. Avoid using complicated jargon and "un-user" friendly order systems and applications.

3. They want to feel that you are right for them. Be genuine so that people will know what they are getting when they do business with you. Perhaps you're a firm, no-holds barred CPA; a humorous, high-energy event planner or a naturally conservative realtor. Showing people the real YOU makes it easier for them to decide if you're the right fit for them.

4. They don't want a pushy sales pitch. We all like freebies and taking a test drive before making a final decision on a purchase. Ease skepticism by offering freebies and samples in the form of demos, trial periods, complimentary service or a money-back guarantee.

5. They want to purchase your products and services and trust that they can be easily accommodated. Make it convenient and easy for your customers and clients to pay you, and extend to them an open line of communication, easy exchange and support.

Understanding what your customers and clients want is vital to boosting your revenue and maintaining a loyal customer base. If you give them a pleasant, reliable and value-added experience they will patronize you for the long-term and hopefully become evangelists for your business.

Rebecca McClain

Certified Executive/Business Coach

Visit my website at www.yourunfairadvantage.biz for a FREE Entrepreneur's Advantage Kit

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Rebecca-McClain/1222040113

If you haven’t thought of using greeting cards to bring potential customers to your door and to keep in touch with past and current clients, you should consider this strategy. These cards should be thought of as part of any successful marketing strategy, but they should NOT contain a hard-hitting marketing message all about you, your company, and what you have to offer. Rather, the intention here is to build the relationship with your clients, in order to develop a sense of customer loyalty by finding out what your customers needs & wants are, then providing solutions through use of your product or service.

Here are a few examples of several occasions during the year when sending a greeting card to a client is not only appropriate, but also beneficial.

Client birthdays – If you happen to know the birthday of your main contact at a client’s company, be sure to put it on your calendar. Unlike major holidays, which are the same every year, it takes a little work to remember a client’s birthday. Acknowledging the day with a card is a thoughtful gesture that your client will be sure
to appreciate.

Thanksgiving – What better time to let a client know that you are thankful for their business, than at Thanksgiving? These cards don’t have to be anything fancy — just a high-quality, professional-looking card and a short, handwritten note thanking your client and letting them know that you appreciate their continued
business.
Holiday time and New Year’s – Although most of us think of this holiday in terms of Christmas, remember that not everyone celebrates it, and many people don’t think of it as a religious holiday. To avoid stepping on any toes, be sure to choose cards with a neutral greeting, such as “Happy Holidays.”

Another option is to send out New Year’s cards thanking clients for their business during the previous year, and wishing them prosperity in the coming year.
Fourth of July – Independence Day makes a great mid-year excuse to send out greeting cards to clients; there are other summer occasions that you can choose to send a card if you’d prefer. Inside the card, you can say you hope their summer is going well, and let them know that you are available during the summer months. Since some people take off or reduce their hours during the summer, this can be a valuable way to remind your clients that you are still open for business and raring to go.
Anytime you haven’t heard from them in a while – There’s nothing like a “Thinking of You” card to remind your clients of any projects they might need you for. Just like you, clients get busy and mentally move projects to the sidelines, but dropping them a line might get them thinking about them again.

As you can see, greeting cards offer a number of opportunities to keep in touch with clients in a thoughtful manner. Many clients truly appreciate the personal touch of receiving a card in the mail, and you will often find that your cards remind clients of purchases or projects they have been putting off but now need to think about.

For more information on how to incorporate postcards and/or greeting cards into your marketing mix, feel free to contact me. I offer a great line of handmade and online greeting cards. Check out www.sendoutcards.com- click option #2 and send a free card. Or follow me on my blog at www.dbjdesigns.com

You want customer loyalty in your business. You want repeat business, yes? How about making your customers into valued friends? Showing concern and empathy for their situation? The more your able to treat your customers as friends, the more business they will want to do with you.
You’ll watch your profits soar.

Let’s go through 10 ways you can keep your customers coming back to you, time and time again. And you will no doubt make close, lifelong “friends” in the process.

1. Send Birthday Cards – Do you like to be remembered on your birthday? How about doing something really easy and sending birthday cards to your customers. Could you send a little gift with it? What
about a “special offer” coupon? Free tickets to an event.

2. Make “How’s thing’s going” calls regularly – Section out 15 minutes a day to call your customers for no other reason then saying ” Hi ______, I just called to see how things are going?” Have you ever called your customers to do that? Watch your customers appreciate you thinking of them. It makes them feel that you do care. If you want to have more business, do this regularly.

3. Send out small bags of jelly beans or candies - Could you include a bag of jelly beans, with a handwritten note on your next sale, with the note saying, ” I thought you may like these, they are my favorites.” Or a note saying “Here’s something for you to enjoy” Watch their eyes light up.

4. Send unexpected gifts – If you find an article, audiotape, or anything specific customers might be interested in,send it with a note saying ” I thought you’d enjoy this. I just finished reading it and
there are some interesting ideas here. Also, if you educate your customers they will send you more business.

5. Send Holiday Cards – What about sending a Holiday Card that is different then all the “others” your customers are getting? Make it UNIQUE and PERSONAL and DO NOT promote or ask for business when sending holiday or birthday cards. These should remain sincere and be all about the person you are sending it to, not about you or your business!

6. Send Thank You notes – Send Thank you notes for everything. When they pay their bills on time, every time they order from you, if they send a referral your way. Be sure and thank them for referring
business, coming to see you. Whatever you want more of, reward. It works.

7. Make Thank You calls - You should started making Thank you calls, A variation from the letters. Saying, “Hi ________, Just wanted to say Thank you for referring Mr. Smith to ABC Co.”

8. Give your customers recognition - Take a photo of your customers while they are in your business and send them a card with their picture in it. How about a photo and a testimonial? They’ll be flattered and
your business will increase. People love recognition.

9. Give your customer awards – Yes, you read that right. Have customers of the month. Send them a award certificate or even plaque. Dear _______, Just the other day I was going through my records and I
realized that you are one of the top (10,20,50,) customers. We really appreciate your business. That’s why I want to send you this “Top Customer Certificate” that is enclosed.ABC Company looks forward to
seeing you soon.

10. Hold seminars, breakfasts, lunches. If you want to give recognition to your customers and stay in touch, have monthly or quarterly functions for your customers. Have a speaker and an interesting topic. Dear _______, I would like to invite you to our “Special Customers” lunch. It will be held at ______ on ______. It’s FREE It’s our way of saying Thank you. etc…

Do not under-estimate the power of showing gratitude and appreciation for your customers. Treat them like GOLD and it will result in more GREEN for your business!

If you are looking for an easy and affordable way to send out cards & gifts to your clients and customers, Send Out Cards is a cost effective way to do this. Contact me for more info on this awesome customer-appreciation system! Visit my website www.socretail.com/80793 or drop me an email dbjdesigns@gmail.com and I can tell you more.

Using a online greeting card system like Send Out Cards can make it easy and affordable for you to send real, high quality cards on an ongoing basis to your customers to keep your business “top of mind” so that they will entrust their loyalty to you!

I extend an invitation to all of you to take a few minutes and send a thank you to your most recent customer or someone whose business you've been after.

Try Send Out Cards- online greeting card and gifting system. Visit my website at www.sendoutcards.com/80793 select option #2 OR for more information on how you can purchase this product contact me at dbjdesigns@gmail.com.

Thank you and stay blessed!

Research shows that the average person only sends out about 10 cards per year. However the same average person has the need to send outabout 70 cards per year.

So why don’t they send them?

• Its inconvenient to buy the card, write on it, post it.
• Ít takes time, which people often don’t have.
• It’s expensive
• And people forget or don’t get around to it!

If there was a system that was

• simple to use
• cost effective
• time efficient and
• wouldn’t let you forget.

Would you be interested? Yes? This is it!!!
You can now send out cards for all occasions: personal, business, birthdays, holidaya, special occasions, staying in contact withclients, etc.

All at the click of a button.

It doesn’t matter if you are sending one card or 1000 cards, we can handle it. And these are real cards. Cards that arrive in the mail. The ones that people really appreciate. Acknowledging someone whether its a business or personal contact goes a long way.

Everyone loves getting cards in the mail, especially when it is personal and customized for them. You can even print in your ownhandwriting and sign it with you signature.

How do you Send Out Cards to your business customers, your family and friends.

• You pick a card
• You type in a personal message (maybe even add a photo)
• We print the card
• We stuff the envelope.
• We stick the stamp.
• We mail your card
• The recipient receives a real card, personalized for them, in their mailbox, from you.

See how simple it is to send out cards. Try it today.... www.sendoutcards.com/80793 click option #2.

Nine out of 10 Americans look forward to receiving personal letters and greeting cards. Adding a personal touch to your greeting cards can make them even more special to the receiver.

Here are some tips for personalizing greeting cards:

1. Write the person’s name or nickname, if appropriate on the inside of the card. Personalizing the card reminds them this card was sent just for them.
2. For cards that already have a message inside, highlight the phrases that you want to stand out or hold special meaning. This is a great way to signify how the card personally applies to the receiver.
   
3. Include your own words, something simple, such as, “I am not always great with words, but when I read this card, I thought of you.” The most personal cards are honest and heartfelt.
   
4. Add a small gift inside. If your card is for a holiday or occasion, you can include a gift card to their favorite store to make the card a gift in itself.
5. For business owners, send a series of greeting cards to make your message part of an ongoing conversation.