I had this client that we will call “Sally” because that was her name. And Sally used to call me and thank me for the thank you cards I would send her. Crazy, I know, but this is going somewhere.
One day, Sally called me to thank me and said the following “You really must have been in a hurry this time, because you never signed your name on the note” I found it odd that she would know it was from me because I never sent a company branded card. “Sally, is my handwriting that bad?” I asked inquisitively. “Nope! I knew it was from you because you are the only one who ever thanks me for my business!”
I was completely dumbfounded! Not one person thanks them for their business and yet they bought a tremendous amount of products and services each month from various vendors.
Where’s the love?
Funny thing about love . . . ‘tis the absence of love that makes us crave love more. And should someone come along willing to give that love when you don’t, well you become history. Cool thought but why was I compelled to use the word “’tis” I never talk that way but I digress.
Gratitude . . . such a simple emotion. We all crave it. We all know we should express it but then life shows up and moves us along at the speed of light!
Here are a few ways for you to leverage the power of the “Thank You”
1) Use it as an opportunity to brand yourself. Is there a unique way you can express gratitude to your client? And no, sending an email “thank you” isn’t the answer. You’re better than that!
2) Go to your local bakery and have them make a giant cookie with “Thanks for letting us take a bite out of your business”
3) Use a thank you card as a way of giving written confirmation of a verbal agreement. When you are prospecting and no matter how hard you try, they want you to call back next month, remind them of that agreement in a thank you card. Heck, you don’t even have to wait for something like that. How about sending a thank you to someone who took the time to hear you out and you were able to engage in a brief conversation? How many do you think they get from reps trying to get an appointment? Methinks zip!
4) While you’re at it, show some love to the assistant that was very helpful to you. They could use some gratitude too! Oh, and pretty much everyone forgets the assistant. Just sayin!
5) Go out and get some funny cards. We’re all wound way too tight these days. If you’re the creative type, create your own!
6) When was the last time you expressed gratitude to your team? The best stars always thank their best supporting cast. Fant Smith, President of Audax Strategies was notorious for giving out Starbucks cards when he was a Sales Rep at Courier Printing. Guess that’s why he owns his own business today.
7) Thank people for opportunities, even when they go with someone else. How many of those do you think they get? Way to make yourself look professional dude!
8) Give thanks to those who have inspired you, helped you & kicked you in the rear! Doing so encourages them to continue to help others! Psst . . . it makes you feel good too 🙂 
And in your own personal way, give thanks for another day. Kind of a cool gift when we really stop to think about it.
How do you express gratitude?
Today’s News: For those of you on twitter, I’ve set up the Sales Playbook hashtag. Feel free to share your ideas and swipe some of ours by checking out #salesplaybook
You can follow me too if you like http://twitter.com/paulcastain
Some cool next steps for you to consider . . .
