Keeping in Your Name in Front of Your Customers

Out of Sight .... Out of Mind. Have you ever heard someone say, "Oh yes, I forgot all about old Bill?" Or what about, "Oh yes, I seem to remember that company. I did business with them years ago." Out of Sight .... Out of Mind.

It always amazes me how someone will do business with me and then never contact me again. They seem to think that just because we did business once, I will always think of them when I need the product or service they sell. Actually it is quite the contrary. When I do not continue to hear from someone, I simply feel that they neither want nor deserve my business.

A good business person/sales person constantly keeps her name in front of her customers and potential customers. You want to be the first person who comes to mind when your customer needs the product or service that you sell. It's not magic, it's not rocket science, and it's not difficult. It does take work and diligence.

When I moved to Minneapolis in 1979, I asked my real estate agent to recommend an attorney. I used that attorney to assist with the legal matters of purchasing my home. I was satisfied with his service but I never heard from him again after the closing. Three years later, I purchased my first business. Needles to say, I used a different attorney. That second attorney continued to do legal work for me (and receive substantial fees from me) for the next 14 years until I moved from Minnesota. Just think what the first attorney lost by never keeping in contact with me.

In his book, "How to Sell Anything to Anybody," Joe Girard talks about how he stayed in contact with his customers. Each month they received a card from him. It might have been a card wishing them a happy holiday or simply a card to say "Hi." No matter what the content of the card, he made sure his customers saw his name at least once per month.

Jeff Slutsky states in his book, "How To Get Clients" that he sends his clients note pads containing his name and picture so they will constantly have his name and picture on his desk.

Many businesses use newsletters to keep their name in from of their customers. I have always believed that an informative newsletter is a great way to both provide useful information to your customers as well as keep your name in front of them.

No matter what method you use, just remember ..... Out of Sight ... Out of Mind.

I would like to hear about any methods you use. Your comments are always welcomed.