Did You Remember To Send A Nice Note?

by Maria Marsala

Summary: Sometimes it's the little things that count the most. Learn how your business can be remembered by remembering the little things.

In the past few years, the look of marketing has changed - for the better I believe. Money businesses spend on Public Relations (PR) has increased and has become a marketing priority. Even on the Internet, people want to connect with you ¯ to see your picture and the pictures of your staff. I've had a few clients send me their pictures, too!

Many people enjoy receiving "nice notes" via mail¯the old fashioned type of PR. Nice notes are congratulations and thank you letters. When received they maybe kept in a folder ¯ in your file cabinet and in box. I started my first "Nice Notes" folder in 1973 when I started receiving thank you letters as part of my first Wall Street job. I still have that folder and now have an email Nice Notes" folder, too.

Send nice notes to your current and potential clients. Do you review the business sections of your local newspaper or business journal for opportunities to "meet" your ideal clients, get known, and remembered, for your thoughtfulness?

The format you choose to send your nice note is up to you. Choose postcards, stationary, note cards, cards you make ¯ they can all be part of your PR. One thing though, make sure that the note is personalized and hand written is good! My favorite cards to send out are postcards I create from scenic pictures taken on my across country trips. For greeting cards use your favorite desktop publishing program.

According to "How To Say It" by Rosalie Maggio, p. 100 "don't make your congratulatory note do double duty: save for another day any questions, information, sales messages, or work matters that aren't relevant to the good news at hand. (Exception: personal letters accompanying birthday congratulations.)" To that I'd add, don't even add your business card to the card. You can send that as a follow up.

Brenda Kury of Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc. http://www.countgrass.com recently sent me another great public relations letter ¯ a thank you card. On the front of the card, it has her companies name, then a big "Thank You", then the address phone number and web site for her company. She hand writes her note. It's the type of card you want to hang up on the wall when you receive it (a little extra PR?). Below are ten ideas of congratulatory cards you can create. So go buy those extra stamps!

• Congratulations on your recent business opening
• Congratulations on your recent move to
• Congratulations on your membership into
• Congratulations on your _____ article in
• Congratulations on your recent promotion to
• Congratulations on your recent expansion into
• Congratulations on your award
• Congratulations on such a successful year
• Congratulations on achieving your __th year in business
• Congratulations on your ____ (hey - it's your turn to fill in the blank)

©2007 Maria Marsala, former Wall Street Fortune 200 executive, business strategist, author and speaker. As founder of Elevating Your Business, Maria helps business owners and independent service professionals work smarter and earn more. Learn more and receive free business tools at ElevatingYourBusiness.com

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