Tips on Writing Business Thank You Cards

Writing custom business thank you cards has long been around for the immense benefits they create between companies and the people they deal with. These little notes can show your clients that you appreciate doing business with them, while at the same time encouraging to keep you in mind in future projects. It also nurtures a strong business relationship, which not only profits your company financially, but also improves your business reputation in the industry.

When to Write Them, What to Write in Them

Express your gratitude after a meeting where you outlined your proposals. Thank the client for their time, and encourage them to give you a call or send you a message if they have any additional inquiries or concerns. Aside from offering further assistance, you can gently remind them when you will do a follow-up on their transaction.

After a completed sale or service or when they have referred you to their network, thank your customers or clients for trusting you and your company. You can tell them that it’s an honor to have been picked among a sea of choices, that they have made the best of choices in a competitive industry. You can also thank them for being a joy to work with (e.g. “You have been understanding and cooperative throughout our partnership, and it has been a pleasure.”)

Don’t forget to address them by name, and sign the notes personally. You can also end the card by saying you look forward to your next meeting, or to working with them again on their upcoming projects.

Laying Down the Easter Greetings

Easter is a couple of weeks down the road, and for some people of faith, it is one of the most important holidays in the calendar. If your business is located in a community where many of your Catholic or Christian customers or clients operate, you can show solidarity in observance by crafting a nice array of business greeting cards. Easter is also related to the Jewish Passover.

Across the Christian world, Easter customs vary but the symbolism remains. The event celebrates the rebirth and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To parlay into that, you can insert biblical passages specifically referring to the mystery, or customize non-biblical messages that are nonetheless inspirational and complementary, pointing to a rebirth or renewal of commitment or business relationship.

If your business is part of a local Easter celebration, plan ahead by making a special photo card showing you and your business team, and attaching the card to gifts for select recipients. You can use any of the popular motifs associated with Easter, such as rabbits carrying a multi-tasseled basket full of eggs. You can implement design cues in pastel or vibrant graphic lines.

Sharing holiday well-wishes with your loyal customers and valued clients who value their traditions can be an effective morale-booster, one of little but memorable ways to show your appreciation and support for their long and loyal patronage. In this way, too, you continue to promote and cultivate goodwill and excellent customer relations.

How to Build Genuine Customer Loyalty

You’ve seen companies like Apple, Microsoft, or Sony with a large following of passionate customers; which often includes fans willing to go the extra mile to stand up for the brand they believe in. You want to know how to build a fervent customer base like that. It’s impossible to do it in a day, that’s for sure, but it can be achieved gradually with some smart practices.

Loyalty programs – These programs will help establish a loyal customer base if you know how to do it well. For instance, implementing a discount scheme via a special card-based or point-based system is sure to entice customers to come back; and even tag their friends and family along.

The Psychology of Business Greeting Cards

Business greeting cards are great marketing tools you can employ to connect with your customers on an emotional level, and strengthen their loyalty to you. Have you ever wondered, though, how it affects the human psyche? The following can provide some answers.

It shows your business’ human side.

People exchange things because one has what the other needs. A relationship based solely on material benefits, however, is highly volatile. When you send greeting cards, you give your customers the impression that there’s a person behind the business, and not just a faceless entity who wants their money.

Why Satisfy Customers When You Can Delight Them?

Although satisfying customers is good, delighting them could be even better.  It’s fine to deliver quality goods or services on time, but imagine the impact on your relationship with the customer if you went way beyond what they expect.

A "little gift" can create big impressions

It doesn’t have to be extravagant.  Whether it’s a freebie or a discount on their next purchase, giving a small token of appreciation is an invitation to customers to get to know you better--one they’d readily accept.  Just make sure the gift is both desirable and entertaining.

Gift the unexpected

Sweet treats in the lobby, branded pen sets, keychains, etc. – your customers have likely seen them all.  Try giving away something original like small novelty toys, humorous magnets, or custom business thank you cards.  They’ll appreciate the personalization and feel valued as frequent customers.

Listen to what they have to say

When customers have something on their mind, lend them an ear because it could be something beneficial to your delivery of products or services.  Make sure to acknowledge something they pointed out, and ask them for more information, if needed.  This will tell them you took time to learn about what they value.

Prioritize them

Thanking a customer for their loyalty is only the tip of the iceberg.  Remind them about upcoming product releases and other products or services that you believe they will enjoy.  Don’t just advise them of an upcoming sale … grant them early access.

For more information you can visit www.ClientRetentionInc.com or call us directly at 916-771-5600.

Secrets to a Successful Business

The secret to a successful business is a harmonious relationship between the business and its customers. If a business starts losing clients, it’s only a matter of time before it goes out of business. Every business owner should invest in methods that will protect and strengthen business-customer relationships. Here are tips on how businesses can do that:

How to Keep Customers Coming Back for More

It takes more than a unique product or service to win a customer’s loyalty. There are a good number of buyers who aren’t just looking for a great brand, but for a great brand experience. The way to achieve this is for the brand to come alive and give back to the customer.

Employees as brand ambassadors

For service-oriented businesses, the impact of employees on customers cannot be overstated. The quality of customer engagement can spell the difference between buyers visiting the store because they need to and buyers visiting because they want to. Basically patrons will go where they feel comfortable and where they respect and enjoy the people who work there. In line with this, providing customer service training for employees may prove to be a worthy investment in the long run.

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas...

The Christmas season is a time for merrymaking, family time, and reflection. For business owners, it’s also an opportunity to do all the above and still make a good profit with their products or services. One way to tell customers or even your fellow business operators that you’re thinking of them this season is to send them special Christmas business greeting cards, but there are some ways to make it work even if the big holiday is just a few days down the road.

Why Generic Business Thank You Cards Are a Big No

When it comes to the value of client retention, the numbers never lie.

For instance, studies have found that a 5% customer retention rate can spell a 75% rise in profitability for a business. Additionally, 20% of your present customers will make up about 80% of your future revenue. Lastly, marketing towards new customers costs five times more than keeping existing ones.

Print Cards En Masse, but Sign Them Individually

Getting an unsigned greeting card may not be a big deal for you, but it is for people such as Sir David Tang. The 60-year-old fashion tycoon, knight, and close friend of the Prince of Wales made the headlines in 2013 with singer and fellow knight Elton John over a Christmas card the latter failed to sign personally. Tang went so far as to consider John among "the common few."

Appease Your Current Audience for Profit

Did you know that keeping your existing customers happy is a lot more cost-effective than gaining new ones? It’s time consuming and expensive to research, find and contact new prospective customers and build a relationship with them. You also have to assess their wants and needs. You already know, more or less, what makes your existing customers tick; you just have to build on those wants.

Even with Email, Business Cards are Here to Stay

Thanks to electronic mail and the Internet, business correspondences and promotions are a lot more convenient and efficient these days. Yet a lot of clients and professionals still appreciate getting personalized, well-written greeting cards from companies they do business with. In fact, one real estate brokerage in Michigan managed to grow their business by 98 percent simply by launching a direct-mail campaign using greeting cards.