Thank You Notes

I mentioned yesterday that something you should be doing once a week is writing thank you notes.  Why?  Well, let me tell you a scenario:

You go to a party for your friend.  The product isn't something you were crazy about, but you bought something from the catalogue so that she gets a reward.  The next week, you get a note in the mail thanking you for taking the time to be at this party and support your friend.  How likely are you to recommend this consultant to someone who wants this product in the future?  How likely are you to call her if you ever need something from that company?

If you're anything like me, the answer to those questions is, "very likely."  Having a consultant recognize that you took time out of your life is extraordinary.  Thanking you for buying one little thing is exceptional.  This product line might not be what you want, but you're going to remember that consultant!  What if you bought absolutely nothing and still got a thank you note?  Wow!

So, this is why I use Customer Care Cards.  I print them off on card stock and keep them in alphabetical order for future reference.  I keep them with my party receipts until I write my thank you notes.  That way, I can compare my receipts and my care cards to see what everyone bought.

Tips for writing these notes:

1. Write a note to everyone.  The hostess who's party bombed?  Thank her for her time and offer to give her tips for her next party to succeed.  The woman who looked uncomfortable and bought nothing?  Thank her for being there!
2. Hand-write your notes.  Unless your handwriting is completely illegible, hand write everything.  If your spelling is awful, type out your notes in a word processor with a spell-check and copy them.  A note goes over so much better when it's handwritten.
3. Thank them for their time.  Seriously, this person took time out of her life to come to your party.  You owe her!
4. Include a personal note.  When you get your customer care card back from your guest, make notes on it while you talk to her.  Did she just buy a house?  Is she expecting a baby?  Is she in school?  Mention it in your note.  This makes her feel like you remember her as an individual instead of "just another guest."
5. Drop a business card inside.  The guest might have lost the one you gave her.  You can also include "referral cards" that give her and a friend a discount if she refers someone to you.
6. Mail them within a week or put it in her order.  If your guest gets your thank you note before or at the same time as her order, it will make her remember.

Here are some sample notes that I write.

Hostess

 

Dear [Hostess],
Thank you so much for taking the time to host a party for me!  Meeting new people is so important to my business, and you helped me so much by introducing me to your friends and family.  I love that you earned so much free product, and I hope you do too!  Please give me a call if there's anything I can do for you.

Future or Potential Hostess

 

Dear [Guest],
Thanks so much for taking time to be at [Hostess]'s party!  I so enjoyed meeting you and hearing about [personal note].  You helped [Hostess] earn [$$$] worth of free product, and I can't wait to help you do the same at your party.  See you then! (Include the date for those have already booked).

Potential Recruit

 

Dear [Guest],
Thanks so much for taking time to be at [Hostess]'s party!  I so enjoyed meeting you and hearing about [personal note]. You seemed to be having so much fun at the party that I know you'll be a great consultant.  I look forward to talking to you about it.  (Include your interview date or when you're going to call her).

Purchasing Guest

 

Dear [Guest],
Thanks so much for taking time to be at [Hostess]'s party!  I so enjoyed meeting you and hearing about [personal note].  I can't wait to hear how much you love [product or design].  Remember, our new catalogue comes out on [date].  If you want tons more of our products for free, please give me a call to schedule your own Jamberry spa day!

Non-Purchasing Guest

 

Dear [Guest],
Thanks so much for taking time to be at [Hostess]'s party!  I so enjoyed meeting you and hearing about [personal note].  Just by being there, you helped [Hostess] earn points for having guests.  If you ever need anything from Jamberry or have friends that would enjoy our products, I hope you'll think of me!

Yeah, yeah, there's a lot repeated there, but that's what a form letter is.  Most of these guests are not going to show each other their thank you notes and say, "She said the same thing to me!"  Even if they do, they're still going to appreciate your personal notes and that you sent a note at all. 

Homework:  Go buy a box of thank you cards.  Post a picture of them on the team page.  Due January 20.