The First Time

I received an email this week that shocked me... No, it wasn't for improvement of any physical characteristics or from a long lost uncle in Nigeria who left me a fortune. The email was from one of my recent clients, thanking me for a small gift I had sent him as a result of using my services for their conference. The client said, "I have been a meeting planner for several years, and this is the first time we have ever received a thank you from a speaker."

That's sad. Whether your business is landscaping, painting, engineering or any of a gazillion other products or services, there is always time to say "Thank You" to someone for purchasing your product or expertise. It doesn't have to be a physical gift. Thank you notes or personal follow up phone calls after the transaction are both simple things that can be done to say to the customer that you appreciate their business. And getting the gift or note after the transaction confirms their choice-and causes them to spread the word about what you offer. People have so many choices for anything in today's market-why not take every step to convince them that your product or service is the right one... and will be when they choose again in the future.

Still not convinced? At one repeat client's program a few weeks ago, a member of the planning team even asked, "Are you going to send us more of those delicious cookies?" They got a double order.