I probably should have titled this “The Thank You Challenges” because we’re going to talk about more than one challenge.
The first challenge gets like one sentence because I don’t want to beat a dead horse. Has anyone ever beaten a dead horse? I have and it sucks!
The first challenge is that you have to buy in on this concept and actually thank people.
In the words of the immortal Forrest Gump “That’s all I have to say about that!”
The second challenge is actually me challenging you to demonstrate your creativity via your “thank you”!
In other words . . . In what ways (other than the old handwritten note) can you thank your clients?
Some ideas . . .
I like to surprise my clients with audio books from audible.com.
Gift cards from amazon and Starbucks can be fun too.
How about a giant cookie that reads “Thank you for letting me take a bite out of your business” and if you have a really difficult client, take that cookie idea and have them make it in the shape of an ass with a kiss on one of the cheeks with the words “Thanks for making me kiss your ass” Just kidding. Sort of 🙂
My friend Neil Wood is a big advocate of client dinners where he plays the role of matchmaker introducing clients who eventually do business with each other.
Paul Frederic surprised me with a free tie as a thank you for the French cuff shirts I bought from them.
So the challenge of the “Thank you” is two fold . . .
First, we really have to do this. I’ve known this my whole career and its only recently that I truly began to own the concept. If this aspiring sales rock star can do it . . . so can you but . . .
The real challenge is finding a way to demonstrate our creativity in the process.
Sales Managers: This is the kind of stuff you need to talk about in your sales meetings instead of all that administrative crap that forces your reps to have outer body experiences. Send out an assignment to everyone in advance to bring their best idea with regard to thanking a client. Make sure you capture all their ideas and get it out to the team so they have lots of new “Thank You’s” at the ready!
How about you?
What are your thoughts about creatively saying “Thank You”?
What ideas can you share with us?
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Great ideas, Uncle Paul. Sincere thanks is one of the ways we can use to really stand out from the crowd. I think one of the best ways is to do it when they are not expecting it and when other service/providers may not.
Certainly, holidays are a good time, but why wait until then? How about sending a card/gift card, cookies, etc., on a regular Monday morning? Lots of folks don’t look forward to Mondays so a nice surprise, on a Monday morning, might be just the thing to help them begin their week.
Cheers,
Marc
That’s a fantastic approach Marc . . . A surprise “just because” “thank you”.
I think these are the best types of “thank you’s” and they brighten mucho days in the process!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Good morning Paul….I am based in the Philadelphia area and have clients across the country–I like to say “thank you” by sending a Philadelphia Cheese Steak package – clients love them and I know they are smiling all the home from the office in anticipation! I think sending something personal from your neck of the woods is always appreciated….
Have a great day!
Wow Bernadette . . . you might have a bunch of sales playbook folks lining up to become your client after that kind of “Thank You”
Well done!
Thank you so much for sharing your “Thank You” with us!
I’m with you on the “local” flair. We’re in Kentucky & love to send bourbon balls – they are always a HUGE hit!
I think just by mentioning their creative ways you have acknowledged Paul’s and Neil’s thank you ideas/actions with your own thank you…just not actually saying the words. As you have said, people love to hear their own names and the attention you bring to them! Now, of course-you have piqued my curiosity about them and I will have to search them out…giving them free advertising as well. Well done embedding thank yous, acknowledging ideas, mentioning names, creating interest…all in a meaningful way. Thank yous like this one seem more sincere and respectful, because there ours time and thought behind it…
So thank you Paul for once again showing by example!
Thank You Paul for another great post and always sharing with us.
Cheers,
Jamie
Paul – nice post and good timing..we just gave a new client a free Mobile Website as a way of saying thank you for talking about us and promoting our company on their social media. He is beside himself and has come back and thanked me at least 4 times in the last 2 weeks as well as a great FB Post on his Fan Page today.
This doesn’t have to stop with clients. My local rental car company takes VERY good care of me. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I sent a few pizzas there way as a thank you.
Hi Paul ~
I send out a lot of thank you cards. Since not too many people get snail mail, some of the cards are still pinned to the cork boards…
Saturday, a client had an open house. I downloaded a cool photo off their facebook page and scanned in their color ad from the paper. Put each photo in a nice frame and dropped them off as a ‘thank you’ and ‘congratulations.’ Bigger hit than I thought. Got several hugs and a commitment to extend the project.
Hope your February is off to a smokin’ start and Happy Valentine’s Day.
Coop
Hi Paul ~
I send out a lot of thank you cards. Since not too many people get snail mail, some of the cards are still pinned to the cork boards…
Saturday, a client had an open house. I downloaded a cool photo off their facebook page and scanned in their color ad from the paper. Put each photo in a nice frame and dropped them off as a ‘thank you’ and ‘congratulations.’ Bigger hit than I thought. Got several hugs and a commitment to extend the project.
Hope your February is off to a smokin’ start and Happy Valentine’s Day.
Coop