The Thank You Marketing Strategy
November 5th, 2007, by Michael StelznerFirst, I want to say thank you to my loyal readers! You guys really keep me going. I do appreciate it.
Now, about the marketing power of saying thanks…
I was surfing the web and came across Wendy Writes Kinetic Ideas.
She wrote a very interesting article about the marketing power of sending thank you notes to people.
A lot of people don’t so this because yes, it takes more time.
As you know, my mantra is “marketing is about building relationships.” Therefore, taking the time to write personal notes pays off in great huge dividends down the road.
Why? Because I am developing friends in the business worlds.
And while the individuals who I connect with may or may not ever use my services, they are likely to have associates and business connections who would be a perfect client for me. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful forms of advertising.
Do you write thank you notes? How have the worked for you?
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
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November 5th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Mike,
Thank you notes work for me. I write them often–to clients when I’ve completed a job, to clients or prospects who buy me lunch or tea, to folks who recommend my services to someone. I know how much I appreciate when someone says “thank you.” So I do the same for others.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience with us. It’s much appreciated by this loyal reader.
Manya
November 5th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Manya - Thanks for your comments
Glad to hear these notes work for you. I personally need to use them more. - Mike
November 5th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Never underestimate the power of personal connections.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I recently attended a project management class. The instructor pointed out that it’s often better to thank members of a team throughout the course of a project and not just at the end. Also, inexpensive “perks” can go a long way if they are personalized…one person might want a Starbucks gift card while another might like Dots candy. Simple, thoughtful gestures build relationships.
David Polley
November 6th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Hi Mike,
I am a huge proponent of thank-you notes, especially handwritten ones sent through the postal mail. Because people so rarely write them, handwritten thank-you notes stand out; people remember you, which is what effective marketing and relationship-building is all about.
Michaela
November 6th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Mike,
I use “thank you” cards routinely. I had note cards printed on high quality stock with our company logo on the cover. Thank you cards allow me to express my gratitude and affirmation through a medium more personal than e-mail or letterhead. The informality provides poetic license so I can be more conversational in writing style if desired. Often I have it type-written and laser-printed in itallic font to dress it up. The logo on the cover leverages the brand. Plus I think the client’s attention can be drawn to a card v. 8.5 x 11” letter. Feedback is always positive because the text is timely, substantive and personal. I never start with, “Thank you . . .” Everybody does that. I start with a statement affirming the client, like a relevant quality I admire and appreciate in them or their company, or something they said in the recent interaction.
Hope this is helpful for others.
God bless.
Mike
November 7th, 2007 at 7:46 am
I’ve got to pipe in and say that I’ve written thank you notes all my life and just continued to do so in my work. If you’re raised in the South - “thank you” is the second phrase you learn right after “Yes Mam.” I don’t though look at it as a way of marketing myself, rather it’s just simply a good thing to do. And I don’t include business cards with thank you notes.
Thank you Mike for bringing this topic up.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:53 am
YEs, I like this idea!!
April 7th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Thank you notes are amazing! It blows me away on how a basic human courtesy of saying thank you can be overlooked.
For example, one of my clients is a pension design and consulting firm. 95% of their new clients come from a referral from a CPA or financial advisor.
I recommended we send a thank you note within 24 hours of each referral, and if we land the account a dimensional mailer like brownies or something.
We kicked this off 6 months ago, and today I am helping them hire more people as their new business is exceeding plan.
Checking in with the advisors in this sale’s influencer network, they said we are the only firm like ours that said “thank you,” and that is why then send us more business.
The sooner you start to authentically thank others, the quicker the returns.
Mark Allen Roberts