As a professional author and speaker, I meet hundreds of people on a regular basis. Those who stand out from the crowd are those who show their appreciation for what they have learned from me in some small way. Sometimes it is a handwritten note, other times it is a small gift , a card or phone call. When I receive something from someone who shows appreciation, my entire day changes.
When I was thinking about the concept of appreciation marketing, I decided to contact some of my fellow two minute networkers and ask them what type of “appreciation marketing gifts” they had received or given and share them in this week’s column. Here are some of the stories I was told.
One fellow networker shared the story of how he liked to light candles in his home and how he got a blister on his finger from the bic lighter that he used to light the candles. The friend who saw the blister remembered how painful it was and the next time she saw him, she gave him one of those lighters that are used for the bar-b-que that she picked up at a dollar store. She said his response was that the lighter was one of the most thoughtful gifts he had received in a long time. She makes it a practice to do random acts of kindness at least once a day. This is just one example of why it is not what people say or what people do that we remember, it is how they make us feel. I am certain that the recipient of that lighter “lit up” and felt special because someone remembered that this was important to him.
Another networking friend who is a realtor told me about she was challenged to find a way to make people remember her in the area where she farmed for real estate prospects. She told me that she lived in that very same complex that she farmed in. I suggested that she buy a large box of flat packages of popcorn and hand deliver these to her neighbors with a note attached saying she was just popping by to introduce herself and let her neighbors know that she was living in the complex and was there if they wanted any information about comparable sales or resources such as babysitters or referrals to qualified professionals in the area. My friend was filled with appreciation for the idea of the popcorn and actually ended up getting a listing just for getting out there and delivering it. I can tell you that she felt appreciated but so did I just knowing that I helped her.
Appreciation marketing has even been written about in a great book by Tommy Wyatt & Curtis Lewsey, which is called Appreciation Marketing. I had the good fortune to meet them at a send out cards convention and learned a lot about this concept from them. I have since incorporated appreciation marketing into my send out cards business and the results have been nothing short of amazing.
In the book Appreciation Marketing, the authors define an appreciator as someone who:
- Expresses gratitude
- Is a magnetic person
- Gives off positive energy
- Controls his enthusiasm
- Lifts other people up
- Doesn't complain
- Is humble
- Is genuine and patient
- Is clean
- Is sincere
- Builds strong relationships
- Is a giver
- Is a connector
- Goes the extra mile
- Recognizes his assets
- Is thoughtful
- Sees good where others cannot
- Loves life, and Practices proper habits.
If you want to take your networking and marketing to the next level, try practicing appreciation marketing. In fact as my gift to you, if you want to send two free cards to someone you know to express your appreciation, go to www.sendoutcards.com/7207 and send two cards as my gift to you. Make someone’s day by sending a heartfelt card and see how it changes your day.
One final story on how appreciation marketing can really make a difference in your business. One of my clients was looking for a way to create a memorable tagline for his business that people would remember. As we sat over lunch, he told me that he was in the window dressing business and that he met new people regularly to talk about how to turn their naked windows into something people would enjoy in their homes. I told him that he just had to tell people he was the best “blind date” that they would have ever and that he did windows. That slogan opened the door to more windows and business than he could have ever imagined and he showed his appreciation by recommending me to many people to write their taglines and elevator pitches. I truly felt appreciated for helping someone grow their business and it has come back and helped me tenfold.
If you have experienced appreciation marketing, I would love to hear about your success stories. Feel free to drop me an email and let me know your stories. I would be glad to share them in my monthly newsletter. Appreciation is one of the best feelings in the world. To all my readers, I truly appreciate you.
Rhonda L Sher: The Sloganator Rhonda L Sher was born talking. She fell in love with words as a child and has never stopped communicating since. Her father once commented that she was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Not only has Rhonda inherited her father's humor, but it's that quick wit that has become the signature that has helped propel her clients to stardom.Acclaimed Keynote and workshop leader, Rhonda has authored two books, "The 2 Minute Networker" and "The ABC's of LinkedIn," "Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out" as well as numerous action guides, articles, workbooks, jingles and corporate slogans.
In addition to writing, Rhonda uses her gift of gab as a featured keynote speaker, consultant and corporate trainer throughout North America. She has successfully taught hundreds of business men and women on the art of business networking and written hundreds of elevator pitches and slogans.Rhonda's greatest talent lies in her ability to create fabulously catchy slogans that are memorable, upbeat, easy to repeat and create instant brand identification. In addition to the books, audio and video, Rhonda creates slogans and taglines for her clients which are memorable, bring them business and make them, money. She works with you to create a corporate slogan for your business that sets you apart from your competition. Her creativity and energy will tap into your customer's mind and have your phone ringing off the hook with new business.
Rhonda's Products can be previewed at:
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“Empowering Emerging Enterprises”
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