Want to do something today – right now – that will help build your business?
If you have a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope, and a stamp, you can do just that. You can write a thank you note.
In fact, you’ll do even better if you write a dozen thank you notes. And if you make it a daily habit, you might just be amazed at the results.
Even if your business is already doing well, thank you notes will give it a boost.
Taking the time to send a hand-written note of thanks will set you apart from your competitors, and it will lift you up in the minds of every person who receives one. That’s because hardly anyone does it, and because a hand-written, well thought-out note shows that you actually thought about the recipient – and that you do appreciate whatever they did.
Your notes don’t need to go just to people you do business with, but can be just as effective when sent to people who perform services for you.
Why? Again, because this has become an unusual practice. So unusual, in fact, that people will talk about it. The mechanic who repaired your car might be sitting at the lunch counter visiting with other patrons and start to brag about getting your note.
“Hey, I got a thank you note today – you guys ever get one of those? Mrs. Smith wrote to thank me for getting her car in and out of the shop so quickly – and for not leaving any grease on her carpets like the last guy did. You know Mrs. Smith don’t you? She sells real estate here in …”
A thank you in person does leave a warm feeling – and you should hand one out at every opportunity. But a written thank you is something people can show their spouses and friends. It’s something that gives them bragging rights along with that good feeling. It's something they're apt to save and notice again and again.
Thanking customers and would-be customers…
Remember that there is a difference in thank you notes. A printed card that says “Thank you for your business” and bears your signature is not very special. It's kind of like those business Christmas Cards, all signed and addressed by a computer program.
A blank card with “Thank You” printed on the front or a hand-written note on a blank sheet of paper is special – but only when it contains a specific thanks. So think before you write.
What did that person do? Did they give you some of their valuable time to present your service? Did they refer a friend to you? Did they perform a service exceptionally well? Did they run after you in the grocery store parking lot because you forgot a bag of groceries?
In my recent post, "How to make a good first impression - 3 times," Debe Maxwell commented that she always drops a Thank You note in the mailbox immediately after a listing presentation. Clients have told her that she's the ONLY one who does so. Do you suppose that makes her memorable?
Taking Deb's practice one step farther, why not say thanks in even more situations. My Thank You Notes letter set offers these topics:
Think of someone to thank right now. Then do it, and you’ll be glad you did.
Not only will you feel good right away because you know you’re making someone else feel good, you’ll be activating the powerful law of attraction. That law says that when you feel gratitude and give thanks for something, you’ll attract more of the same. So the more people you thank, the more people you’ll have to thank.
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