After arriving at my mom’s house on Thanksgiving, my seventeen-year-old daughter hands me an envelope. Perplexed, I opened it to find a incredible and moving handwritten note of thanks from her. Let’s just say it was enough to bring tears. She wrote one for my mom, my siblings, close friends and — the most amazing of all — her two little brothers.
She said she is about to graduate and leave home. She felt she needed to do it.
I write notes to my clients every year … by hand. Yes, it cramps, but it’s worth it. (I even keep a journal, but I guess that’s not enough to keep the handwriting muscles warm.) You can get more ideas from 33 Ways to Reward Your Customers. These have a lot of retailer-related suggestions. However, every business can pick up something from this list.
It isn’t necessary to wait until the holidays to thank your clients. I do that, but I try to send the notes and gifts earlier. (Sent last week.) I’ve sent them pecan pralines (Texas food), books and Boy Scout Popcorn (delicious treat that also helps the organization).
You could also buy stamped postcards and write a thank you anytime you find the opportunity. They’re small and light, so you can carry them with you ready to write on.
How do you thank people?
Weekly Links
Brain food …
- The 90 Top Secrets of Bestselling Authors. Wonderful roundup of quotes.
- Jedi Mind Tricks: 17 Lesser Known Ways to Persuade People. Not just for sales people. I love reading about influence. Need to finish reading Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
(Affiliate)
- Writer’s Block: The 12-Step Cure. This is a good list of tips — not all the usual stuff. Comparing yourself to other writers is a big problem. Remember, writers are all on different paths of writing careers in terms of expertise, experience, length, medium.
- You’re Not As Busy As You Think. I’m fortunate I learned this lesson early in my career. People get sucked in phone conversations. They also “looked busy” so they could stay at work later and look good for the bosses.
Fun …
- The 56 best/worst similes. I love this one: “Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.”
- Interactive Color Wheel. Awesome despite not including Snoopy in the whites and Woodstock in the yellows. At least, Franklin is there to represent Peanuts.
- The Infinite Loop of Procrastination. Off to check emails and tweet.
- 12 Unique Stewardess Uniforms. Think uniforms are bland today? Try these.
I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s amazing what a handwritten note of gratitude can do. I write thank you notes to my clients all year and it’s truly worth it to know I’m bringing a smile to their faces… not to mention it’s good for business.