The Power of Thank You
Author of this post: Tara MacKay | About Blog Authors »
With rising gas prices and other economic troubles, freelance designers (as well as their clients) may be feeling the pinch. Clients are eschewing major redesign jobs and other big budget projects, and designers are scrambling for ways to keep work rolling in.
But you might be able to get back on track with two little words: Thank you.
Now is the time to remind former clients of your services so you can encourage more business from them, and sending a thank you note for previous work is a great way to do it. Unlike a flashy brochure or generic card, a handwritten thank you note puts a personal touch on your communication and gives you a reason to extend a special deal to specific clients. Here are some tips for making it work:
1) Design a thank you card in the form of a regular greeting card or mailable postcard. The latter will save you lots of money to print and send, though offers less room for writing. Services like moo.com, psprint.com, 48hourprint.com, and overnightprints.com all offer affordable full-color printing.
Leave plenty of space for a handwritten note. Learn from my mistake: Don’t get a super crazy glossy coating on the side of your card you’ll be writing your note on.
2) Write a sincere, but brief, note that contains a personalized thank you and a special deal (perhaps with call-to-action, like a date to respond by). For example: “Thanks so much for letting our team create signage for your coffee shop last fall—it’s always exciting to see it when we visit for lattes. I’d like to extend to you a 25% discount on future sign and print design, available through summer 2008. Call me any time, 413-555-1212. Thanks again! -Joe Designer”
3) If your business can’t afford a discount offer, consider offering small jobs that could make you some extra cash. For example, that coffee shop may not be able to afford more signage and brochures right now, but could use someone to take some new photos for their website or print some simple fliers for their upcoming poetry nights. Try something like this: “Thanks so much for letting our team create signage for your coffee shop last fall. I’ve heard you’re having poetry nights soon, and would love to design fliers for you or photograph the performers for your site. Call me any time, 413-555-1212. Thanks again! -Joe Designer”
After sending out lots of these to your clients, your hand may be hurting, but your phone should be ringing. And if this technique works in the tougher economic times, imagine the work you’d get from it in more prosperous times!
April 21st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Thanks for the Thank you tips!
May 1st, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Thank yous really do work… with my blogs, I’ve found that when I thank every user for their comment, they often come back as a repeat visitor
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 am
It shows respect as well.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
A thank you doesn’t cost anything, this makes people feel better and shows you care. Being caring will increase your business and they will be pleased with your customer service.
June 8th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Those 2 simple little words can pack a powerful punch! I send, or try to send, handwritten notes every week. Sometimes it’s just to say hi and that I’m thinking of them, and other times it’s for something specific. I send these to past clients and customers, and they never fail to elicit responses and a new piece of business or two or three.
I like the suggestion of an offer of some sort with a deadline for that offer - thank you for that!
June 11th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I would even take it a little farther and send a note of thanks to say hello along with some information that would be of interest to the client specifically.
If she’s interested in yacht racing, for instance, and you find a piece on it in the New York Times, why not send it to her ?
Yes, this takes a bit of work, but it also communicates to the client that you see her as an person with individual interests, and not as just another potential project or sale.