An Easy Way to Connect Personally With Customers

One of my DIYMarketer tips is to send a handwritten note.  That’s a great idea, but it can get overwhelming if you want to be consistent and treat every customer as if they were the only one you have — pretty special.

In response to that tip, I got a wonderful story from Melanie Ellsworth.  Melanie is a photographer in Texas who discovered a wonderful, affordable way to reach out and touch her customers – with a personalized card.  But wait!  This isn’t a chore – it’s automated, it’s easy.  Read her story and try it yourself.

One day I received a phone call from a client saying, “Hi!  I am not sure if you remember me, but you took my picture six months ago.”  The words just stung me. I assured her I did remember her and proceeded to book another session.  After I got off the phone, the words rang in my ears. Why would a client wonder if I knew them?  That’s when I realized that I had a problem connecting with my clients.  After all, I was in business to make money and get referrals.  I wanted to be “top of mind” with my clients.  I certainly didn’t want them to wonder if I knew them.   I started looking for a way to connect to my clients, get more referrals, and increase sales.

Another professional photographer gave me a suggestion. She used a tool to help her connect to her clients and get referrals.  It was an online real greeting card service that allowed her to personally thank her clients.  This service allowed her to add pictures on the cards and type them in her handwriting.  The online company stamped and mailed the cards for her, all for about a dollar per card. She explained how sending cards helped her business.  She got more referrals and was able to personally touch her clients with a quick and easy cost effective tool.  She let her clients know she cared about them and her business boomed.

I knew this service was exactly what I needed.  I started sending out cards and received lots of positive feedback.  Everyone loved getting the cards! When I got a referral, I sent a “thanks for the referral” card and added a $5 starbucks giftcard.  I got three more referrals from that client alone.  Wow, the power of saying thank you and caring about my clients made a big difference in my business!  Not surprisingly, I became very busy.  I raised my prices to cut down the demand on my time.  Sending cards worked, just as I had hoped it would.

Needless to say, I am passionate about this unique card service! I know it helps a business get referrals and increase sales.  I tell others about it, and help them reap the rewards of more referrals and increased sales.

I would love for you to take the time and thank a client you recently worked with.  Send them a card for free to try out this amazing service!  I wish you the best of success in your business with more referrals and clients than you need.

To send a free card, go to

www.sendoutcards.com/sendthanks

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need some cool card ideas.

About the Author: Melanie Ellsworth, Owner, Melell Photography.  She’s also a customer of and distributor for Send Out Cards.

Author: Ivana Taylor

Name: Ivana Taylor
Email: ivana@thirdforce.net
Site: http://diymarketers.com
About: Ivana Taylor is the publisher of DIYMarketers.com and the President of Third Force a firm that specializes in helping companies find their best customers and be the one they choose – regardless of price. She's an expert and book editor for Small Business Trends and a contributor to AMEX Open Forum.See Authors Posts (256)