Yesterday I dropped off a parcel at my local Post Office. Although I’m not there every week, all the front desk staff know me by name. It makes me feel good.

Without realising it they are using ‘appreciation marketing’, and it works. If anyone at the Post Office asked me to buy something from them, I would give it serious thought. Why, because they’re friendly and likeable and consequently I’m inclined to be open to their suggestions.

Acting in a similar way may bring you more business.

So what’s the best way of doing this?

A ‘thanks’ at the end of an email is now so commonplace that it doesn’t get noticed - but when was the last time you received a hand-written thank you card? Even if this was years ago you’ll probably remember who it was from and how much you appreciated their time and effort.

What are the business benefits of sending thank you cards?

• They put a smile on your client’s face and make them feel valued. What other business development tool at your disposal can do that? Customers who feel valued remain loyal to your business.
• They leave a positive and lasting impression. People keep them, and many display them because it makes them look good.
• And because they’re a talking point they can act as a powerful referral tool.

Below is a lovely thank you response we received from a broker via social media following a "Thank you" Christmas campaign we ran last year. Proving it is just as rewarding to give thanks as it is to receive thanks back too.

The content on this page was last reviewed in September 2024