We live in one of the greatest countries in the world. Many leave children, loved ones, and possessions behind to come to America for the bountiful opportunities that are available here. The opportunity to worship freely, live where you want to live, travel without having to get permission from the government, start your own business etc. As we prepare for Thanksgiving, in the midst of turkey, ham, pies, football, we take for granted how truly blessed we are by God.
If you’ve watched or read about the billionaire entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey, you’ll know that she advocates the power and pleasure of being grateful. She keeps a gratitude journal. A book in which she daily writes down what she is grateful for. Oprah believes that being appreciative allows you to “radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you’re aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-nots.”
Regardless of the depressed economic climate, I am keenly aware that it is our clients who keep us in business. Each client trusts us to provide great value for their money. Our job is to keep that trust and inspire them to keep coming back and to refer others to us. I can count on one hand (with many fingers remaining) the business owners that take the time to send me a thank you note after using their service or remembered my birthday, even though they had it on file. A special mention to local businesses Coan Eye Care, Fairwinds Credit Union, and Simmonds Dental Center who each send me greetings on my birthday. In spite of the fact that they each provide excellent service, I am free to take my business to any other provider. Yet, what keeps me as a loyal client and raving fan who frequently refer others to their business, is their ability to make me feel special by acknowledging my patronage.
As an entrepreneur, I have managed to incorporate gratitude as part of our relationship building system with our clients. I am mindful that without paying and repeat clients we won’t have a business. Here are some ideas you might want to incorporate into your business, as ways of saying thank you:
- If you already have your customers’ birthdays on file, then send a card, text, e-mail or call them on their birthday
- Send a Thanksgiving card or letter
- Send a thank you note after a client uses your service or refers a customer to you
- Host a “Customer Appreciation Event” – a Christmas party, a backyard bar-b que
- Have an occasional closed-to-the-public, preferred customer sale
- Send a calendar at Christmas time.
Thanking your customers not only makes a great impression, but puts you leaps ahead of your competition in today’s market place.
Sherry Daniels manages the 20 year Orlando based sprinkler system company –Daniel’s Company. She is the author of “Working Moms: How to Quit Your Other Job” available at Amazon.com. It shows women how to make more money working with their husbands in a trade (subcontractor) business.
Call for a free copy of “How to Have Your Sprinklers Repaired Properly at the Lowest Possible Price”. Available free until December 31st. Call or fax your request to the 24 hour recorded message line at 407-429-2266. For questions or comments, Sherry can be reached at [email protected]
