Appreciation Marketing – Thank You Cards

In his book, How To Master The Art Of Selling, Tom Hopkins, the fantastic training expert, discusses the importance of sending “thank you cards”. Tom, when he started as a real estate professional, sent thank you cards to everyone he met. He carried cards with him and would sit in his car after each meeting, writing out a card thanking them for the conversation. He then would mail the cards at the first opportunity.

Tom’s principle applies to our everyday lives, no matter what our business is, if we are in a career transition, or who we may know. Everyone, without exception, needs to acknowledge conversations with others, no matter the subject, but especially business or networking. Showing appreciation for your conversation is more effective than proclaiming how great you are.

The people with whom we converse on various topics love to be noticed. People do business with, and refer business to, people that they know, like, and trust. Anyone who provides you information has given you a gift. They deserve to be thanked, and you should personally show your appreciation for their gift of knowledge. Wouldn’t you like to be thanked for sharing with others?

Thank you cards are unique. A greeting card contains your feelings, your beliefs, and your appreciation for the person who provided information to you. When the recipient opens the card, all that rises up out of the card, like pheromones, enhancing the experience for the receiver. That person will think of you and should look forward to furthering the relationship with you. In short, they will remember you in a great way.

A thank you card indicates that you are professional and thinking of the other person before thinking of yourself. Sending a thank you card shows that you take the extra step instead of sending the quick, impersonal email. Emails are looked at once and discarded, if they are read at all. Some are opened, or not opened, and put aside for later review, often never. Some wind up in a Spam folder never to be read, and you never know if the other person received the email or not.

Do you need to actually write the card in your own handwriting? My handwriting is difficult to read and should never see the light of day. If you have a way to digitize your handwriting, do it. You will love it and never want to write anything in your personal handwriting for someone to attempt to read, often without success. Signatures may also be digitized and used in all manner of correspondence.

Thank you’s are not the only subject for which we should send cards. Birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events should be commemorated. Celebrating the lives of others makes you stand out in their memory and in the memories of others. Obviously, all business meetings, interviews, and other events provide you an opportunity to establish yourself as someone with whom the other person should continue to network. You should always acknowledge the gifts of others, especially the gifts of information.

Is there someone who you need to thank today, or is there someone whose special life event you should recognize? Please leave me your comments, or email me at Jim@SOC4Now.com, or call me at 360-314-8691. Sending thank you and other types of cards shows your support and appreciation to others. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing. I appreciate your time and support.