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The Thank You Marketing Strategy

By Michael Stelzner

First, 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?

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 7:29 am and is filed under Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  • I tell you what, when you start seeing people as people, you definitely take your business, and anything else in life, to the next level.
  • I agree with James. I think we forget that there are people on the other end of the computer, and that occasionally letting them know they are appreciated would probably go a long way. Thanks for the reminder, I think Im gonna give it a shot.

    <abbr>Barry's last blog post..Tips on Buying Pre-owned Sports Cars</abbr>
  • This is a very overlooked thing to do. Most people have become so into the "business side of things that they forget a simple thank you is expected of kind people.

    Saying thanks lets them know they they are just not a number to them.

    Love the idea.

    <abbr>James Riley's last blog post..Low Price Snuggie</abbr>
  • 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
  • YEs, I like this idea!!
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Michaela Hayes
    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
  • 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
  • Never underestimate the power of personal connections.
  • Manya - Thanks for your comments :) Glad to hear these notes work for you. I personally need to use them more. - Mike
  • 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
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