Call me old fashioned, but I believe thank you notes are a must. I cannot emphasize it enough.
I think thank you notes are no just for your personal life but also for your business. Sure you may get one from your insurance agent or the salesman that just sold you a new car but do you do it consistently from your business.
Whether or not you were raised to do this, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of sending your thank yous in hand-written form. Whether it’s a gift, an interview, or simply a note to show your gratitude for a lovely evening, there’s something to be said about taking the time to write a kind word or two.
No I don’t consider doing it with an email or a text from your phone. To be heartfelt it must come by regular USPS mail and be hand-written. There is something special for your customer to open the envelope and read your special thank you.
Let’s face it, we live in a digital world where people communicate in 140-characters or less and are constantly emailing and texting. The stream for communication is non-stop and instant, which is why discovering a hand-written note in your mailbox is such a refreshing surprise. When it comes to sending a hand-written letter of thanks, there are a few things you should know:
Use a nice pen. Forget pencil, or a run-of-the-mill ballpoint, instead, use a luxurious fountain pen or roller-ball pen when sending your thank you notes. Using a special pen will make it more enjoyable for you as well.
Pick the right paper. It’s been said that the weight of the paper is reflective of how important something is… Now I’m not telling you to send a stone tablet, but a card or piece of stationary that has some weight to it is a very nice touch. If you’re looking to send thank yous without breaking the bank, remember that you can always make your own using some watercolor paper, glitter, and a nice stamp.
Writing the letter. If you don’t have a lot to say, increase your font size, you don’t want it to look like you have nothing to say. Also, always reference what you are giving thanks for and how it will be used or appreciated. And if someone sends you money, do not say “Thanks for the cash!” Rather you should tell them what you are going to use the funds for such as a big ticket item like a new computer, vacation or special road trip.
Do you need help with your next business printing job? Call MI Printing at 623.582.1302 and let us be your local business printing resource.
Presented By
MI Printing
Phone: 623.582.1302
Email: sales@printinginaz.com
http://printinginaz.com
So you have just started a brand new small business. Ok, what is next? Marketing and promotions should be on your mind. The real small business goal is to sell the business's products and services. This is usually best accomplished by positioning the business in front of the target audience, and offering something they can't refuse or find elsewhere.
To this end, one of the smartest things a small business owner can do for their business is take the time to develop a small business marketing plan that will set them apart from the competition. A marketing plan clearly outlines how you will reach your ideal customers by effectively implementing your marketing strategy.
There are thousands of ways you can promote your small business. With the right mix of activities, you can identify and focus on the most effective marketing tactics for your small business. Here are some small business marketing ideas to get you thinking about all of the different ways you can promote your business.
Update your business cards
Make your business card stand out from the rest
Create or update your brochure
Get creative with promotional products and give them away at the next networking event you attend
Create a digital version of your brochure for your website
Start a web site
Write a 30 second info speech
Introduce yourself to other local business owners
Plan a local business workshop featuring your products or services
Join your local chamber of commerce
Join another local merchant at a trade show
Launch a multi-piece direct mail campaign
Create multiple approaches, and split test your mailings to measure impact
Include a clear and enticing call to action on every direct mail piece
Use tear cards, inserts, props and attention-getting envelopes to make an impact with your mailings
Send your past customers free samples and other incentives to regain their business
Get started with social media for business
Create a Facebook page
Get a vanity URL or username for your Facebook page
Create a Twitter account
Reply or retweet someone else on Twitter
List your business on Google Places
Start a business blog
Write blog posts on a regular basis
Start social bookmarking your online content
Create and hand-out coupons
Do you need help with your next business printing job? Call MI Printing at 623.582.1302 and let us be your local business printing resource.
Presented By
MI Printing
Phone: 623.582.1302
Email: sales@printinginaz.com
http://printinginaz.com
Yes, it is August 1st already. Does your business rely on Back-To-School shoppers? If that is the case business should be booming if you are doing a good job.
For many businesses the summer is loaded with vacations, back to school, hot and muggy weather combined with “it’s just too hot to care” attitudes mean that summer is a very quiet time for product or service sales.
If you are in the northern part of the US then summer would be a slow sales time for snow shovels. But that isn’t the kind of mismatch we are talking about. You can sell garden equipment and find that August isn’t a booming time. The garden folks have already bought, planted and used their items in the spring. They should be resting on the porch an enjoying the view created by their hard work that was done months ago.
Many merchants use this time for sales and close-outs to make room for fall and winter items. But cutting prices is very good for the bottom line. Yes, I know having your money tied up in slow selling merchandise isn’t a good business practice either.
Now might be a good time to bundle related items with a minor price roll-back.
Are your sales not seasonally related but business is slow because your clients are out-of-town? Not everyone is gone, so a coupon program might be a nice summertime reward to encourage customer visits this time of year.
Door hangers in your neighborhood might put your business or service back to top-of-mind and make your foot traffic or phone sales do a helpful rebound.
Try and work the heat or summertime theme into your message so the understanding is your call to action is to be timely and a time limit might also help them know you mean “Buy It NOW!”
Keep in mind that “Wall Drug” captured thousands upon thousands (make that millions) of customers by offering a simple glass of ice water to hot and thirsty travelers. Find (or create) a need and fill it. Sort of like the old phrase “Build a better mouse trap.”
Can you find a way to offer free samples of your products or services to introduce new clients or remind old ones why they should be using your fair over your competitions?
So give your customers a reason to brave the heat and try something new from your business. Don’t cut prices to the bone. Make it a new and different item or make sure they understand the quality or service is worth effort to make your business their destination.
Do you need help with your next business printing job? Call MI Printing at 623.582.1302 and let us be your local business printing resource.
Presented By
MI Printing
Phone: 623.582.1302
Email: sales@printinginaz.com
http://printinginaz.com
