Another story came across the email this morning about the value of "Word of Mouth" marketing and how important it is in building new business. Of course it is!  Customers don't know who to trust anymore. Building (and rebuilding) trust is a process that takes place over time and lets the customer know, over and over again, that you have their best interests at heart.
 
While Twitter and Facebook are getting most of the attention there are some "old fashioned" ways of relationship building and "customer romancing" that still work very well. Phone calls to see what's up in the customer's world to see how you might help them with their issues, birthday and anniversary cards to celebrate a happy occasions and one of my favorite romance tools - the picture postcard.
 
I love 'em. I send them when I'm on the road, I send them after a phone call, I send them just to stay in touch. In fact I sent so many postcards through the years that I started printing my own.

And now that it's spring cleaning time - and I need to make room for some new projects - and so I am offering all our cards 3 for 1 - you buy one package of cards and we'll send you two free. It's a great deal - choose your cards - add in your coupon code - pc17- and our system will automatically deduct the cost of two of the packs. We have a limited supply - and a buyer already lined up for what doesn't sell - so this is really your last chance to take advantage of our Dare the Care cards. Here are 17 reasons you should move fast!

17 Reasons to Use Postcards to Increase Sales, Build Relationships and Keep Customers

1.  Communicate with Caring. Dare to Care(sm) Postcards "softer" sentiments communicate how you feel about the customer relationship and its value to your company.
 
2.  Stand out from the crowd.  Striking images and "picture postcard" format will rise to top of the mail pile.
 
3.  It's easy. Just keep a stack of the cards right on your desk, ready to send one anytime the idea strikes. Just jot down a few thoughts (takes just a few seconds) and your message on its way.
 
4.  It's cheap.  First Class postage is only 27 cents.
 
5.  They're highly personalized. Handwritten notes always feel special.
 
6.  They're quick to read. You make your impression in seconds.
 
7.  Use them to say thank you. "Thanks for the order" "Thanks for the referral" "Thanks for the time you spent" "Thanks for the information you shared." "Thanks for being our customer."
 
8.  They act like an additional "sales call." Write out a postcard the moment you get off a sales call. Three days later you're touching the customer again. Drop one in the mailbox down the block from their office right after you leave them. It might arrive tomorrow. Wow!
 
9.  You can use them to make a "special offer."
 
10.  When you use them to confirm an appointment, they end up right in their date book.

11.  They make great invitations. Use them to invite someone to a special event.
 
12.  Tell a "secret" to a client about the special and unique way your company operates.
 
13.  Use them to make a friend. People do business with people they like. Get personal.
 
14.  Dare to be different.  Combine your skill and your talent at high touch.   Be great on line and off line.
 
15.  Use them to say, "I'm sorry," when things haven't gone right. After you've fixed the customer's problem, fix the relationship.
 
16.  Have some fun! Pick a card that screams "It's me!" and use it as your "signature card" and enjoy making your very personal statement.
 
17.  Make employees feel REALLY special. Send a card to their home with your note of appreciation.  Watch them show up tomorrow beaming with pride!

I've already tucked away my secret stash of special cards so I can continue to use them as my signature touch (My goal is to send them to the people I've met before I've ever left their city!). And everything else MUST go. We're doing spring cleaning and getting ready for a whole new line of products this year. We need to make some space. 

Let's get moving and get romancing those customers - remember companies that continue to market during a recession come out on top after the recession.
 
PS - I have one client that used these postcards over a period of 4 years - every week she spent an hour writing cards by hand to the people in her database that didn't get called on by a salesperson because they were "too small." Customers appreciated it so much - they called to say thank you and they placed orders. Last time I checked she'd accumulated SIX FIGURES worth of orders - just from romancing the customers no one bothered with. Now that's success!

JoAnna

Copyright 2009 by JoAnna Brandi. Used with permission.