Ways to stay in touch with customers

[habed]

This, more than a question is and idea I had almost 2 weeks ago and since I've received a lot from this forum, I want to share it with you guys.

A week and a half ago I sent a mail to all the customers who hired me this year (And to all who have already deposited for future events) with something like this. (Won't do a textual translation)

In appreciation for your preference and hiring us for your important events here are some Xmas gifts for you.

50% off professional teeth cleaning
A free Orthodontic evaluation
20% in dental braces

1 free tan session

10% off all cakes

15% off in fine wines

Of course they are not in the same place. Each business is own by a different friend of mine.

The dentist has just finished school with honnors but was difficult for her to get new customers. So far 6 people, in response of my mail have gone with her for the dental cleanning and 5 more are booked for the next 2 weeks. 1 person is also getting braces for his kid in January.

A friend of mine owns one of the best local bakeries chains. His cakes are a little expensive but they are really good. 2 of my customers have already purchased cakes and I'm sure more of them will buy before the end of the year.

On the tan thing, the next day I sent the mail 4 people went to get their free session. They all had to buy the tan lotion which was not included and 3 of them got a monthly package (2 are a couple which will get married next 27th and they love the idea of looking tan at their wedding). There are also 4 more appoinments for the free session for december so far.

And as for the wine, my friend just called me to let me know that one customer called them on friday to set an appoinment and today they sold 10 boxes of one of their best wine and one box of Zacapa Rum (Which BTW is the best Rum in the world, not because I say so but because the last 5 or 6 international contest say so)

What do I get from this? I don't get any comission or share of the sales. My customers see value by just being my customers and as I promised them, our relationship didn't end when I delivered the photos. I got more than 90% of replies to my mail thanking me for the good wishes and the promos.

Some of the replies include "See you in our next event messages" and some customers are asking me to include their services or products in my next promo mail out.

But the most important thing is to stay in the customers top of mind. This mail gave me the chance to stay in touch with all of them. And, did I mention that in order to get the discounts they have to say that they were refered by my business? So my friends can track how many go because of my mail and my customers repeat the name of my business so I say, like mentioned before, in their top of mind.

So, this worked fine for my friends and I'm sure that I'll see my cut in the near future. Plus, they all already agree to let me promote my business at theirs.

And don't forget..... It was free. Didn't have to buy commercial space on TV, radio or the internet. Didn't print flyers or something like that. Just a plain text mail.

It's an idea. Let me know if you put in in practice and how it works. Also if you have more and better ideas I'd like to hear them.

Hasta pronto!

[cricket2783]

I think that is fantastic! It's a great way to make your clients feel important,which will bring them back and it also helps out your friends! Kudos! When I actually start getting clients, I will definately keep this in mind!

[photo.mom]

that's a great idea! I'm actually getting ready to send out thank you notes to all my 2009 clients, and am including discounts on photosessions/prints for them. I never thought outside the box to include discounts in other realms... Good idea

[Swisstony10]

This a great example of an holistic approach to your business. Being involved with the local business community - not just with other photographers - is SO important, and it's something that was kind of lost for a long time with most towns being dominated by national and multinational chains of different companies. It really does pay to have a strong relationship like that with other local business - in addition to giving all your regular customers extra value, it strengthens all of your businesses, and that in turn strengthens the entire community.

I gave some of my pictures from my town's carnival last year to the organisers for this year for their programme, and offered to cover this year's event for them free of charge (it's a charity event, so I wouldn't dream of charging them, and I'd be there with my camera anyway because the photo opportunities are awesome). As a result, I got a free advert in the programme - not only will my ad be seen by all the people who bought a programme, but the local businesses who've also contributed to the carnival in some way and thus have ads in the programme tend to use it as a kind of local business directory.

Russ.

[dilshad]

Great! This is really nice trick and i think this is exactly b2b development. I think that you should ask your friends to start same type of promotional activity.

[Jim Bryant]

Smart thinking