How Gratitude Works

Want to know what the highest-impact, lowest-cost tool is in your marketing toolkit? First, here are ten reasons to start using this tool right away:

1. It won't get tossed out with the rest of the junk mail.

2. It builds a genuine bond with the recipient.

3. It's personal, a 1:1 "marketing touch," and customized.

4. It costs less than 40 cents.

5. It takes less than 10 minutes to do.

6. It requires no expensive investment.

7. It's low-tech, but high-touch.

8. It's a great way to turn downtime and waiting into productive marketing time.

9. It's rarely used and sets you apart from the crowd.

10. It gets a higher response than any other marketing tactic you could use.

What is this amazing tool? A thank you note. Okay, wait?before you roll your eyes and stop reading, take a quick look at happens when you use this one simple tool:

"Thank you for your note. I've never been so impressed. It made me stop and send this email to you. When can we meet?"

"I'd like to say thank you for the note. Really nice touch-you've made an impression. Yeah, I'd definitely like to talk more."

"Thank you for the personalized note. It is a very nice touch and will motivate me to think more about the marketing skills you taught me in your class. I will do my best to inform my management and colleagues about the value of your class and the services offered by TurningPointe Marketing."

"Thanks for the nice card! I pinned it up in my office as it made my day!"

I can't tell you the number of times I've walked into a prospect or client's office and my note is propped on their desk or pinned to the bulletin board. Can you say the same of your marketing materials?

Here's when I send a handwritten note. I'm sure you can think of more opportunities, as well:

1. After a meeting to thank a prospect.

2. After a networking event, particularly to people with whom you had a genuinely good conversation.

3. When you earn new business.

4. When a client recommits to you by giving you more business.

5. When someone gives you a referral (whether it pans out or not).

6. When someone consistently gives you repeated referrals. Often, I send more than a note: anything from a $5 gift card to a high-end basket of their favorite goodies or tickets to an event should accompany a note when they're been really good to you.

7. After you give a talk. I know it's daunting, especially if your audience climbs above 30. But the payback is amazing. There are ways to "systematize" this, so that you don't have to hand-write every single note yourself. Send me an email, and I'll let you in on my secret process. Also, send a note to your sponsor, host, other speakers, and any co-panelists.

8. If you're new to a committee or board ? or welcoming someone new to yours ? send a note to each member.

9. After a kick-off meeting, retreat, or visit with a new client ? to everyone that was at the meeting, if possible. I also like to send thank-you's to key support staff that were involved (i.e., meeting planners, secretaries, A/V technicians, vendors, etc.).

10. When you've ended with a client.

For tips on how to give thanks, keep reading?

1. Above all, be genuine. If you don't feel grateful or don't mean what you write, don't bother. You'll resent it, won't make it a habit, and the recipient will know it's hollow.

2. Do them immediately (i.e., the next day). I've found that if I don't, chances are I won't later. This is more about discipline than it is about creativity or a big marketing budget.

3. Make them a habit. On average, I do three notes every morning before I turn to other priorities. In less than a half hour, I start every day off with a high-impact marketing action.

4. Use a professional note card ? I find that a 4" x 5" folded card is perfect. Mine are an exact replica of my business card, which creates a consistent "identity" after someone has received my business card at, say, a networking event. I slip them into sheer envelopes and include another business card, for a low-cost marketing piece. Before I had them, though, I used small note cards in my company colors ? don't let the lack of the "perfect" stationary keep you from starting now.

5. Hand-write them! This is about relationship building. A short note written by hand (even in sloppy hand writing) has a much more meaningful impact than a sterile letter with a (heaven forbid!) stamped signature. Nobody is too important or too busy to write a quick note. Many a U.S. President has hand-written-noted his way to the top. If they can do it, so can you.

The real key to this strategy? Being grateful. I don't take any of my clients, prospects, and valued contacts for granted and want them to know it. By expressing my gratitude in writing, it's a great mindset to start the day.

TurningPointe Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved. Marketing educator, Kelly O'Brien, is creator of the Create a TurningPointe! Marketing BootCamp and Advanced Marketing Clinic. To learn more about these step-by-step programs, get her FREE 20-page Marketing Guide and more how-to articles, visit http://www.TurningPointeMarketing.com

---

The 3 Unknown Steps of Marketing Success

To be your own marketing expert you first need to... Read More

Three Simple Keys Will Make Your Customers Stick

Do you spend a lot of time and energy courting... Read More

Business Cards That do the Business

A business card makes a statement about who you are... Read More

These Four Things Will Make Your Direct Marketing Successful

Direct marketing is built on four things. The other way... Read More

Competitive Research and Google

It all started out with an email message: "I am... Read More

Hermey Wants To Be A Dentist

December marked the 40th anniversary of the original broadcast of... Read More

Using a Contact List Profitably- Part Two

Besides a survey, your contact list can be used to... Read More

Want to Increase Your Business? First You Need to Understand where You are at!

Are you having trouble understanding basic situational marekting concepts? Then... Read More

Multicultural Marketing ? Taking Care of Business At Hand

Multicultural marketing mirrors the changed face of America and is... Read More

Word of Mouth Marketing

'Word of Mouth' is still one of the most effectivemarketing... Read More

How to Size an Emerging Market

In developing their business plans, companies of all sizes face... Read More

10 Elements Every Direct Mail Piece Should Have

Don't want your direct mail to end up in the... Read More

Your Marketing ? From The Couch To The Cash Register

When you put time or money into any marketing plan,... Read More

Learn How to Market Your eBusiness in Real Time: Dissect, Study, Emulate

Everything you will ever need to know about internet marketing... Read More

Do You Get Attention With Your 30-Second Introduction?

I went to a networking event the other day where... Read More

Ten Amazing Ways To Increase Attraction at a Trade Show

These ideas are for anyone that has a small budget... Read More

One-A-Day Marketing Vitamins

Is your business growing, or are you on a plateau... Read More

Increase Sales With Travel Incentives

Today's business environment has changed dramatically over the past 10... Read More

Target Your Market

Your market is not everybody, as so many small businesses... Read More

Maximize Your Lead Generation Efforts by Recycling Your Leads

The basic lead generation process is pretty much the same... Read More

Writing Marketing Copy That Sells

When your prospects see your marketing materials, your brochure, your... Read More

How to Manage Your Marketing Mix

Here's the deal: advertisement is not marketing. It's like saying... Read More

Is It Time To Revisit Your Marketing Strategy?

Small & Mid Sized Business owners, have you revisited your... Read More

Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind

What's black and white and read all over? A newsletter... Read More

Earning the Right To Sell With Stats ? 10 Steps to Greatness

We could learn a thing or two from pro sports.Baseball... Read More