Strengthen Relationships and Attract More Clients With A Personal Note
Author: Sydni Craig-Hart
Getting anything “good” in the mail these days is a challenge. Your mailbox is probably filled with bills, direct mail pieces (i.e. junk mail) and things you’d really rather not look at. Think about the last time you actually received a greeting card or personal handwritten note in the mail. When was that? …Perhaps a long time ago.
The truth is, the times you receive a handwritten personalized note are likely few and far between. That’s why when someone does receive one, it stands out. This leaves a great impression on the receiver of that personalized note.
Paper and Pencil Sending a handwritten note to a potential client after a meeting is a great marketing 
strategy to implement. One, you have the chance to quickly thank your potential client for the meeting. Two, it keeps you on top of their mind as they are “thinking” about working with you. Three, it makes you stand out from the crowd. If they are “shopping” for service providers, they will be more likely to choose you for your great service, because they are impressed by your gracious follow-up.
But sending a handwritten note doesn’t stop with new potential clients. This practice should be carried out throughout the life of your relationship with your client. This means thank you notes when the project is completed, a card acknowledging the anniversary of their business, congratulating them on a BIG win, etc. It doesn’t take as long as you think! Taking 5 minutes to write a note will help you to maintain a great relationship with your client, will go a long way towards creating a satisfied customer and will generate referrals.
And, who doesn’t love referrals?
Happy clients will tell their friends, family and anyone who will listen about the great service you provide and the WAY you served them. The next time your client hears about someone in need of the type of services you provide, guess who they will recommend? YOU! Why? Because they had a great experience in working with you and you are on the top of their minds because you stay in touch with them.
The type of card you send should be a mixture of personal style and polished professionalism. First of all, send the nicest card you can afford. If you are going to have monogrammed or personalized note cards designed with your business logo, take the time to hire a graphic designer to create a stylish piece. Be sure they are printed on good quality card stock. (You don’t want someone who is paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for your services to feel like they got a “cheap” card from a discount store.) Depending on your profession, you will probably want to avoid using the cartoon and caricature type of cards. These may not support your brand or your business and could detract from your professionalism.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-tips-articles/strengthen-relationships-and-attract-more-clients-with-a-personal-note-2831667.html
About the Author
Sydni Craig-Hart, The Smart Simple Marketing Coach, teaches solo service professionals how to attract more clients, create more money and work less in their business. Known for her simple, integrated approach to marketing, she also has the unique ability to find untapped profit centers in her client’s businesses so they can increase their revenue NOW. Visit www.SmartSimpleMarketing.com for your F.R.E.E. marketing tools and to schedule your F.R.E.E. “Profit Breakthrough” session with Sydni!
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Michelle Clark – Wayzata, MN
I am so tired of going to my mailbox each day just to have it filled with junk mail. People barely send a birthday card or thank you notes these days. Some days it’s to the point I don’t even want to walk and get it. I wish more people took the time to write handwritten notes. I have used personalized stationery now for over 25 years and continue to do so to this day.
7 February 2012, 9:43 amRoberta
Very true to say the least. You cannot argue with the fact that your “paper and pen” itself is a huge marketing tool. Many corporate executives completely miss that for some reason.
7 February 2012, 11:22 amKatie Wilks
I can honestly tell you that if you want to build solid relationships with your client, you have to make them feel special. Try innovative things to ensure that your client is special. Go out of your way and make your business thrive with these small elements.
7 February 2012, 11:27 amJenna
Want to get awesome reference letters from teachers? Give them a box of candy and personalized notes. My MCAT scores were ok but the letters from my teacher sealed the deal.
7 February 2012, 11:35 amLinda
Aww, Michelle, I am sorry. I know how you feel. People just spam my FB wall during my bday instead of sending me a note!
7 February 2012, 11:36 amKinza
Yeah apparently that is the only that I get in my mail. Junk and bills to pay! It sounds so nice if someone makes an effort to go out of their way to slip a cute little note for me. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
7 February 2012, 11:37 amNila
I can feel the desire to get these cards too! My children were nice enough to get me monogrammed cards. I still saved it for my big promotion. Awesome quality and with my initials engraved, made me feel super special.
7 February 2012, 11:41 amLana
Handwritten notes are awesome my dear friends. I am in the same boat as you wanting one. It is just matter of time I guess
7 February 2012, 1:05 pmSoha
All clients’ needs and expectations are vastly different ~ Bruce Bonnet
Your clients might be millionaires or start up businesses. Show them that you care through a monogrammed gift and napkin set.
7 February 2012, 1:07 pmRebecca
To truly stand out, advisors must enhance
7 February 2012, 1:08 pmcommunication with clients. Communication is the lifeblood of stability and primary source of growth for your firm. I firmly believe in that as I send monogrammed note cards to all my clients. Shows you that a little effort goes a long way.
Brenda
I agree with Becs here. If you truly want to communicate deeply with your clients, get really personal with them. Extend your hand more than business affairs. It shows that you care.
7 February 2012, 1:09 pmAmbreen
Without a doubt in my opinion, Effective communication really is the lifeblood of an advisory business. Clients
7 February 2012, 2:25 pmdon’t want to feel as though they were “marketed to” before the sale, but then
ignored once they’ve joined the firm. So you have to make them feel important in your dealings.
Afsheen
Even better than sending an awesome personalized notecard is calling them back to show your appreciation. It never hurts!
7 February 2012, 2:35 pmAysha
Adding to Ambreen and Afsheen’s smart tactics, make your meetings interactive. Don’t just sit down with their report and
7 February 2012, 2:41 pmgo through it. Talk to them. Ask them about their life, their family, their
latest golf game. Engage with them on levels other than just portfolio
returns
Henry B. Springs
“A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often – just to save it from drying out completely.”
Writer : Pam Brown
You’d be surprised but businesses have actually made connections between how people manage relationships and how they can meet their needs for products and services. In fact some people have started businesses based that operate on the model of servicing folks with similar interests and their inclination to buy from each other. In this scenario business is much more personalized. Both fellow customers and management will take more time to talk, share their views, opinions and offer advice. Customers will get to know more about the business and the businesses will do the same for the others. Customers will grow to consider business more than that. Customers will see, experience and appreciate the significance of a Personalized Card. It will make them out to be more of a nameless face, a number or a payment history. Nowadays the best way to differentiate yourself from the pack of other vendors is to make your customers feel special. Personalized Cards sent as Thank You Cards, reminders, invitations, Birthday Cards or just messages to let them know their business is really appreciated. With so many businesses offering the same services, really engaging and making your customers feel special with a Personalized Card or Personalized Stationery is the one way you or your business can distinguish itself.
Our Best Cards and Notes graciously herald the best celebrations: Traditional Monogram, Blossom, Glory Cards, Banner, Bordered, Colonial, Estate and Bishop Studio just to mane a few. Take the time to make someone feel special. Our cards professionally convey gratitude, wish everyone well, and congratulate and celebrate for the most significant moments of your life. Bring the best of every interview, encounter, experience and link in the chain to life. Send sunshine on a cloudy day, cheer in a rich array of Cards or Notes with over 124 of our Best Selling Notes and Cards. Let your true colors shine through in our Cards and Notes. They let someone know just how special they can be. They become your first choice to represent, respect, consider and give of your spirit. Personalized Stationery gives more of notice. It makes your small action seen, felt and remembered. A prospect will remember it and make note of it. Our Cards and Notes become the little things, little things that your customers and acquaintances will remember.
“A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.”
Writer: John D. Rockefeller
7 February 2012, 5:11 pmBigWin12
True, Henry — A friendship can weather most things ! But my marriage couldn’t
7 February 2012, 5:54 pmLatrelle16
Could we have some more blogs on personalized party napkins ? For a while, these were being posted here at least once a week. I have a fascination with these ephemera, as I call them, and have a scrapbook devoted to the best ones I’ve seen.
7 February 2012, 5:57 pmAllwriteNow
There was a comment here many months ago by a man who collects personalized napkins at wedding receptions. It was similar to Latrelle’s comment. The man said he could judge a reception by the quality of the graphics on the napkins…
7 February 2012, 6:01 pmHenry B. Springs
“I feel like a number. Feel like a number. Feel like a stranger. A stranger in this land I feel like a number. I’m not a number. I’m not a number.” Heaven forbid a company or organization give their members or their customers this type of impression. If they haven’t realized it yet they’ll realize it soon that people that they should have the strongest relationships with should feel special, at ease and involved in something that is continuing to grow and be meaningful. With your first personalized card or note you receive from business you’ll realize it has come to mean more than you expected. When someone takes the time to send you a Personalized Card or Note for your birthday, the holidays and to remind you of when the next best deal that you’ll have to bag is coming your way. With so many companies so many similar services it would serve your best interests to let your customers, clients, associates,and colleagues know that the best form of appreciation you have to offer isn’t a song but a Personalized Card or Note. You’ll be sure that things won’t work out wrong.
As Sydni says, sending a ” handwritten note to a potential client after a meeting is a great marketing strategy.” Traditional Monogram, Blossom, Glory Cards, Banner, Bordered, Colonial, Estate and Bishop Studio are just a few ways Our Personalized Cards can create relationships, build bridges, enrich experiences, delight daydreams and add a little light to lead someone out of the darkness. We’d like to think both business professionals and consumers can use our Personalized Cards and Notes to enrich already rewarding and enhance prospective relationships with new meanings, dimensions and directions. Send one card to make a statement. Send a gift box of our Personalized Cards to send a message. Our cards were really made to connect with people for all the ways they live their lives. Haven’t you ever heard that connecting with people is that heart of any good business.
‘ Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”
Writer : Author Unknown
7 February 2012, 6:40 pmPaperQueen89
I love cards but I love the enclosed envelopes with the bow even more. They are super cool and add so much touch!
7 February 2012, 8:00 pmJohanna Hobbs- San Francisco, CA
Personalized stationery is a useful tool for an individual or for a business that is aiming to attract clients. It allows customers to truly develop a sense of solid relationships with their suppliers and logistics.
7 February 2012, 11:27 pmQueenWriter89
The blogs that will be on the wedding napkins were awesome indeed. I remembered one on the “allure of the wedding napkins.” I really liked it
7 February 2012, 11:31 pmJesse Anderson-Houston, Texas
My fiancé and I just got engaged and oh boy was he anxious about meeting my parents. I assured him with my cute smile and told him everything will be ok. Being the lady of course, I advised that he buy some good Champaign along with some personalized stationery. We all know how things went from down there
7 February 2012, 11:34 pmLauren Hindz- Chicago, IL
Ah Jesse, I had a similar experience. We had some clients that were coming to buy our house. But sometimes you have to go the extra mile. Hence, we had some refreshing appetizers along with thank you notes. The clients ended up buying our house
7 February 2012, 11:36 pmKatie Mills- Los Angeles, CA
“I’m pickin’ up good vibrations. She’s givin’ me the excitations. I’m pickin’ up good vibrations. (Good, good, good, good vibrations).”
7 February 2012, 11:37 pmLoving that song Henry, it is one my favorite tunes.
SweetRoses
A little romantic note card goes so well with a cute rose and a ring. Guys, pay attention. If you ever want to win your lady’s heart, do something that is romantic and will set a sweet mood.
7 February 2012, 11:54 pmSweetRoses
My fiancé called to reserve a fancy restaurant and they were booked! But he never gives up, he is so relentless! First he apologized through a personalized note card and saved the day by cooking for me.
8 February 2012, 12:24 amWriter4live
Ah SweetRoses, your husband is quick in his feet! Good for him!
8 February 2012, 12:25 amSarah Emmons- Tampa Bay, Florida
Impressions is one of the most important things that I acquired as I grew up. It was just one of those things that was emphasized a lot in my graduate career.
8 February 2012, 5:27 pmHilma Conger
SweetRoses, your fiancé sounds so sweet! If he’s like that all (or even most of) the time, you’ve got a keeper!
I love it when the blogs here get a lot of comments. It’s so interesting to read through and see how the conversation evolves. Here we started with a blog about sending personalized cards to potential clients to make them feel important and more likely to give you business, and now we’re talking about romance and personalized wedding napkins! This is why I like this blog so much.
8 February 2012, 5:27 pmLaura Heinz- New York City, New York
Speaking of graduate career, I just attended an open house. Apparently, they had a workshop in which students practice impressions. From a firm handshake to writing Thank You Notes, the workshop was very helpful. They even this website for the top 5 recommendations for purchasing these cards.
8 February 2012, 5:28 pmLisa Garafolio-Springfield, IL
I needed such a constant practice writing Thank You Notes. As a frequent visitor, I did read a blog on how to write a Thank You Note. Thank you so much!
8 February 2012, 5:29 pmPrettyQueen89
Yeah Lisa, I had the same problem. I figure I just try writing itself and gradually picked it up.
8 February 2012, 5:33 pmSarah Emmons- Tampa Bay, Florida
I think notecards and personalized stationery in general is an absolute must. It’s a customization element that each individual wants to implement in their lives. For people that are very individualistic such as myself, I love having my own stationery.
8 February 2012, 5:34 pmJenna Allen- Boston
I absolutely loved my own set of stationery. The Bold Letters made me look so elegant. I just won a promotion and sending Thank You Notes was such a breeze.
8 February 2012, 6:54 pmPrettyQueen89
Wow, Jenna. Congrats for the promotion! Where is our invite?
8 February 2012, 6:55 pmJenna Allen-Boston
Ahh Pretty Queen, do you accept virtual parties?
8 February 2012, 6:57 pmPrettyQueen89
Of course, I do. So I just realized that Valentine’s day in 6 days!
8 February 2012, 6:59 pmLaura Heinz- New York City, New York
Family is so crucial towards success. Just ask those who have lost their parents. Research shows that without the love of mother and a father, a kid is often lost in his this life. Show how much you love your family by getting them a set of their own personalized stationery.
8 February 2012, 7:03 pmJackie DiLorna- Dallas, Texas
I agree with you Laura. Sometimes I would miss my mom so much as I would go in business trips. But instead of sending me e-mails, she would just sent personalized notecards, which would clearly make my day.
8 February 2012, 7:03 pmJackie DiLorna-Dallas, Texas
I was just browsing through this website and was amazed at how many varieties of each card you had. I also love the preview option because it removes the element of the surprise in any manner possible. I feel very confident about purchasing via this website
8 February 2012, 10:59 pmSarah Emmons- Tampa Bay, Florida
I agree with Jackie. I was going through so many websites to find the Fuschia color and just could not find it at all! This website is the exclusive one that offers cool colors like Fuschia and Mocha. The best part is that shipping is very low, which makes me feel good about my purchase.
8 February 2012, 11:01 pmJonathan Price
Sarah, this site is awesome for ordering personalized note cards or stationery for exactly that reason! Not only can you check out what your stationery will look like, like Jackie says, but you also get a wide variety of options, great prices, and very inexpensive shipping (it was even free around the holidays)! You really can’t find a better deal on custom note cards and stationery anywhere as far as I can tell.
8 February 2012, 11:19 pmPrettyQueen89
Just curious, did any of you guys purchase the monogrammed stationery . I wanted some feedback on that product. I am trying to add a little variety to my office stationery and feel that I should be unique in what I order.
8 February 2012, 11:19 pmLinda Mills-Arizona
PrettyQueen89, rest assure those are awesome as well. I find that with so much selection, a girl must add a little sass in her stationery. The paper quality is amazing quality and the design was even better. 5 out of 5 stars.
8 February 2012, 11:23 pmChloe Sullivan- LA, California
I am so excited for Valentine’s day and even better, Spring break. I am going to visit my family back and was in mood of some cheerful cards. My personal favorite is the personalized gift enclosures. Suits my style to the T.
8 February 2012, 11:30 pmLisa garafolio
Just browsed through the selection and have to say that I love Caprice notes. Caprice notes have a younger look than I would usually buy, but I do love the font — it’s playful, yet “correct” looking.
9 February 2012, 12:48 pm