In any business it’s important to develop simple follow up systems to keep on top of your prospects’, customer’s and referral sources’ minds. If you don’t do your follow up; you are wasting valuable marketing dollars and time you’ve already spent on gathering new leads.
I used to do a lot of networking at chamber events, women’s organizations and biz expos and I generally collected about 25-50 business cards from new contacts on a good week. I pay an assistant to enter them all into my computer database for me so I can easily mail merge them when I want to send out a mailer. I also enter them into my email database because I usually ask them in person if they want to receive my free marketing tips and they always say yes. I follow up right away by email and for the hot prospects I send a postcard in the mail or a note too. Then they will continue to receive my emails every other week plus usually, if I’ve met them out networking, I see them out again very soon.
Now, however, that I’m more focused on the online part of my business and working globally with clients; I do more nationwide networking and online social networking. However following up I do the same things as before and it’s important for you to realize whether you’re a brick and mortar business, home-based business or online business, you still need a clear, easy to implement follow up system that includes MORE than just email marketing….let me show you why.
Follow up can be done in many ways now….
In any business it’s important to develop simple follow up systems to keep on top of your prospects’, customer’s and referral sources’ minds. If you don’t do your follow up; you are wasting valuable marketing dollars and time you’ve already spent on gathering new leads. I used to do a lot of networking at chamber events, women’s organizations and biz expos and I generally collected about 25-50 business cards from new contacts on a good week. I pay an assistant to enter them all into my computer database for me so I can easily mail merge them when I want to send out a mailer. I also enter them into my email database because I usually ask them in person if they want to receive my free marketing tips and they always say yes. I follow up right away by email and for the hot prospects I send a postcard in the mail or a note too. Then they will continue to receive my emails every other week plus usually, if I’ve met them out networking, I see them out again very soon.
Now, however, that I’m more focused on the online part of my business and working globally with clients; I do more nationwide networking and online social networking. However following up I do the same things as before and it’s important for you to realize whether you’re a brick and mortar business, home-based business or online business, you still need a clear, easy to implement follow up system that includes MORE than just email marketing….let me show you why.
Follow up can be done in many ways now: email, phone, mail, social media or in person right? So, what do you do after you meet a potential client or even a potential referral source? Do
you pile up those business cards on your desk until they get so old you have to just throw them away since they wouldn’t be of any use anymore? Or do you follow up and how?
Follow my 10 simple steps below and you will for sure build better relationships with those you meet as well as have more top of mind awareness with them.
Here are 10 Simple Follow Up Procedures you can implement in your business TODAY! (for service, product, online or retail):
1. Take immediate action: Always call or email within 48 hours of meeting someone telling them it was nice to meet them, asking about their business and finding out how you can refer
business to each other and help each other’s businesses grow.
2. Take more than one action: In addition to doing #1, also slip something in the mail to them – an introduction letter and a brochure, a thank you note (handwritten of course),
something to entice them to get on your list online or a flyer about your special promotion.
3. Use email wisely: Add them to your email database (if appropriate and IF you are heeding correct spam laws in your correspondence) and make sure they get an email notice
within 1 week. *Do NOT add them to a mass email newsletter unless they verbally agree to receive it or opt themselves in online.*
4. Keep your ears and eyes out for others: Drop in the mail or attach by email a document, resource or article you found that you’d been discussing or something you recently read that
would be of interest or pertinent to them.
5. Keep your database up to date: Enter them into your database (in the computer) so when you send out your next mailer they will be on the list to receive it. If you don’t have a database or a shopping cart to house your contacts, you should get one (ACT, Outlook) or start an Excel spreadsheet for starters. You’ll also need an email marketing service where you
can house contacts but try to choose ONE system. You can outsource this task. *Do NOT add them to an email newsletter list however if they have NOT agreed to get it or opted in
online to receive it.
6. Send more than one mailing: Send out another piece of mail or email within 2 weeks of when you sent the first one; this can be more casual, a postcard, flyer or another follow up
letter asking for referrals in case they don’t think they can use your services right now.
7. Call again: Call, not necessarily to make the sale, but to further build that relationship, chat about opportunities to refer to each other, etc. In-person meetings could be good in case
they forget what you look like however many times these days its much more efficient and acceptable to “meet” again over the phone.
8. Make a creative impression: If you’re really trying to get their business and you’re not getting anywhere, drop by a promotional product (s) with your card and brochure again or send
it in the mail. Make sure your promotional product stands out from your competition and is unique or memorable.
9. Systematize your follow up: Make sure you sort your database by Hot, Warm and Cold leads and then also by either where you met them (i.e.; Your City’s Chamber of Commerce, professional or service organization, social media site, etc.) or some other system (like referral source vs. prospect) so that when you mail or email to them regularly you can do so to small groups at a time with a unique message. Mail to your database quarterly and email them monthly at minimum (monthly and twice monthly is preferred).
10. Plan year-round promotions: Send out holiday cards not only for December, but maybe for Easter, the 4th of July or which ever holidays you feel like and then possibly their birthdays too. There are companies who send out cards for you, online sources you can use easily and there are websites that remind you when someone’s birthday is to make this easy.
These tips are for any type of business, retail, online, service or product. I am always curious as to how a store is going to follow up with me. I shop there, I write a check, and they have my address and phone number – yet 9 out of 10 times – absolutely NO follow up marketing! Only do the larger stores put me on their mailing list and send me mailers and/or emails (like Linens & Things, Cost Plus and Fashion Bug); these retailers know just when I come in because I normally always get another coupon in the mail right after to come back again. The one that does follow up with me understands that repeat business is 5-10 times easier to get than new business.
So, not only do you need to follow up after new people you meet to GET their business or referrals and build those relationships, but you also have to cultivate those relationships over
time so they keep you on top of their minds in case something comes up where they need your products or services or someone they know does.
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Check out the current SUMMER 3-PART TELESERIES on the 3 Simple Steps to Attracting Clients and Making More Money. For $97 you can listen to me share how to accomplish all this follow up in your business, what to say in it all and how to attract 1000s more leads every month too. Go to www.JumpstartYourMarketing.com/3SimpleSteps and register now!