Years ago, they said print was dead. First, not sure who "they" were. But when was the last time you received a thank you by hand? A phone call? A direct marketing piece? What did you do with that? Did it get thrown in the garbage, or did it sit on your desk? Was it thoughtful? Interesting? Had something to offer? We're not saying don't use the web. We're using it right now. We're saying support your brand using different mediums. Check out some suggestions below.
Handwritten notes
Beautiful paper. Unusual envelopes. Have you ever checked out The Paper Source? It's inspires daily. Sure it might take longer to write something by hand than firing off an email, but it won't get lost in Spam. Go one step further-send out flowers to a client as a thank you. It will put a smile on their face every time they look at them.
Meet in person
Facebook is fun. Linkedin can be a great resource. But if you offer a service, chances are most of your business comes from referrals. If you're lucky. Even if you first connect virtually, try to set up a meeting in person. Personality doesn't always come through in email. In fact, sometimes you're sending out the wrong message. Pun intended.
Business cards
People still have wallets. And just because we have an iphone or Blackberry doesn't mean we'll have it forever. I went through three Blackberry's in a week. Those little card stock pieces of paper are instant reminders of a person, company, or meeting.
Your office
Whether you have people come to a corporate building, a home office, or you're mobile, you're still working someplace. And appearances matter. From the photo on your desk to the desk itself. Pictures of your family, or a crazy weekend in Vegas? Everything sends a message, intentional or not.
Spring cleaning
Before we head into a new season, maybe it's time to think renewal. And try something new, or old again. Assess what's working for you. And drop me a line if you try something listed. Or better yet, let's meet for coffee.
