A while back, I was in someone else's office. On their desk was a thank you card I sent them. The back was pointing to them, which meant that everyone that sat down to meet with them saw the other side with my logo on it.
The reason? The back of that thank you card wasn't blank and didn't say the company that I had print it. Instead, it had something I frequently share with people, the three keys to better sales:
- Be Curious
- Be Suspicious
- Do not be emotionally attached to the outcome
If you've never heard those before, that concept can be mind blowing!
When I first launched my business, I did what many people who believe in the value of thank you cards do. I went to my local office supply store and bought blank thank you cards to send people.
Later on, I took a suggestion from one of my counterparts who runs a different Sandler office, and I had really nice ones made up that had the Sandler logo on the front, and that was it.
What do you think the chances are that those cards I sent people ended up in the trash? Sure, even sending a thank you card can make you stand out. But most of the time, they still end up in the trash.
Years later, I started the Oklahoma Professional Sales Association. At that point, I had a relationship with a marketing and design firm, so I decided to do something different. We added the tangible note on the back, and that resonates with way more people than the old cards did!
Somewhere around half the people I've mailed them to have sent me an email or note back saying something like, "That card is awesome. I'm going to hang on to it!"
Obviously, this is likely a little more expensive than going and buying something at Staples. But it's something that's visually appealing and has a little nugget of helpful value that they want to keep. So now it's hanging on their wall or sitting on their desk!
So if you're sending thank you cards already, consider upgrading to a card that’s more than just a handwritten thank you note. It's a relatively easy, small way to differentiate yourself from your competition.
