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Stand Out From The Crowd – Adding A Personal Touch
Published on 9 May 2007 at 6:59 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under Attraction,Business Development,Feature Articles.
If you’re trying to grow your business you probably realize that a critical key to your success lies in your ability to connect with people to build relationships. With all of the ways we can network virtually and in-person, the avenues to forge relationships is limitless, right?
Here are three tips that will make you memorable:
1. Send a personal notecard in the mail after meeting someone. Let’s face it, email has made it very easy to stay in touch. My personal rant is that emailing lacks that personal connection. To me – it’s very impersonal because I’m a hands-on person. When you meet someone at a networking event, for a cup of coffee, lunch – wherever that you’ve enjoyed meeting (and want to know better), send a thank you note within 24 hours of that meeting. Carry the note in a stamped envelope so you can add your thoughts right after the meeting on your way to the mailbox! Taking the time to send a handwritten note communicates volumes to the receiver. When was the last time someone sent you a personal note. I bet you remember who they are, don’t you?
2. Give a gift to those who refer business to you just because. I have an affiliate relationship with a colleague who does fabulous marketing teleseminars. I gladly refer folks to her because her material really delivers. In addition to receiving a check in the mail for referring clients to her programs, she sent me a gorgeous figurine. It was a thoughtful gesture that really touched me. She sent it just because she wanted to – to say thank you for my support. Each time I look at it on my mantle, I think of her with a smile.
3. Be in contribution to others. Look for ways to help others succeed for the joy of it. If you come across an article, an event, a potential connection or lead that might benefit a colleague, pass the information on in a timely fashion. Do it because you genuinely wish to help that person succeed without an agenda for paybacks. It will come back to you ten-fold.
Like this post? Leave your comments and tell me what you think!
Julie Bestry on 14 May 2007 at 10:27 pm: 1
Lorraine, I’m so glad you made the point about contributing to others as part of standing out. I’m a big fan of being a “matchmaker” and the people/businesses I know about one another, and I think inviting a contact to attend an event with you (one where there are no strings attached) goes a long way towards cementing a personal/professional relationship and standing out from the crowd.
The only caution I have regarding your EXCELLENT advice is that, as a professional organizer, I often see what happens when busy professionals intend to pass along articles or information, but have no system for doing so. I recommend having a folder or envelope where you collect the “stuff” (notes, ideas, articles) you wish to pass along to your contacts and have a ritual part of your day or week where you sit down and write out the envelopes or make the phone calls. Sometimes, reading a blurb from the paper into someone’s voicemail is enough to make them realize you’re thinking of them while helping keep their desks from getting cluttered.
lorraine on 15 May 2007 at 11:53 am: 2
Great points as always Julie!
Your mention of having systems to keep track of materials goes hand-in-hand with great follow-up. One of the places people drop the ball BIG TIME.
With the expanding to-do lists that seems to keep growing, your suggestions really help to simplify being able to get your hands on things quickly so that you can maximixe your time and efforts.
Great reminders!