By Lidia Varesco Racoma
Handwritten communications are an easy way to stay top-of-mind with clients and prospects. Online communications tend to get lost or overlooked, but if a prospect sees your card on their desk, they are more likely to call when they require your services.
Build brand awareness and set yourself apart from the competition
Sending personalized cards is also an effective way to build brand awareness for your business and set yourself apart from the competition.
Nowadays, most businesses are using social media for brand exposure, but not everyone is using “handwritten media” – creating an opportunity for your business to stand out.
1. Send a thank you card to a new client after finishing a project. Make sure to mention how you enjoyed working with them and look forward to the next project. Include a few business cards.
2. Send a follow-up note to a connection you made at a networking event. Make it personal by mentioning something you spoke about at the event or including a promised referral. Include a few business cards.
3. Send a birthday card to a client or colleague.
4. Celebrate a special life event such as a marriage, new baby or retirement.
5. Send a thank you card for a referral. To show extra gratitude, you can even include a gift card for a local business.
6. Send a thank you card to a colleague or vendor who helped out with a challenging project.
7. Send a thank you card to a client who always pays invoices on time (this is one of my favorites!)
8. Send a card on a less-popular holiday. Your clients will be pleasantly surprised to receive a “Happy Thanksgiving” card.
How to stay on top of your handwritten communications
- Buy personalized thank you and birthday cards in large quantities. As they will likely be used most often, this avoids having to order in a pinch.
- Keep a running list of people to send thank you cards. Schedule one hour in your workday to write cards (I like Friday afternoons).
- Create a category in your calendar program for client and vendor birthdays so you receive reminders when it’s time to send a card.
- Buy an assortment pack of personalized various occasion cards (get well, congratulations, etc.). You will always have an appropriate card when you need it.
- Assign an area of your desk to business stationery: keep it stocked with letterhead and envelopes, personalized greeting cards and notecards, mailing labels and postage stamps. This makes it easy to write a quick note or prepare an invoice or package.
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With over a decade of graphic design experience, Lidia Varesco Racoma of Lidia Varesco Design in Chicago is known not only for her ability to visually capture the spirit of a project, but for her dedication to helping people stay connected.
This excerpt is reprinted here with permission. Copyright 2011 Lidia Varesco Design. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced by any means for any purpose without express written permission of the copyright holders.
