Showing Clients Appreciation

The holidays are fast approaching whether we like it or not.  Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas will be here in no time.  It is important to show our appreciation to our clients and prospects.   

Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite times of the year.  It's just all the preparation leading up to it that gets me in a panic, wondering how in the world I'm going to get everything done.

One thing I can check off my list is the task of sending my greeting cards. Since I found this wonderful greeting card system over 10 years ago, sending my holiday cards is a snap. After I decide on my theme and design, choose a photo, the rest is a breeze.  I can send a unique personalized card to everyone on my list and even include gifts or gift cards to those out of town that I won't be seeing over the holidays.  I love to receive and send cards throughout the year.  I also enjoy helping others with their card sending. 

Sending clients and prospects a card of appreciation builds the relationship, whether it’s for the holidays or throughout the year.  Not to solicit for business, but to express our gratitude for their business.  People are bombarded with so many buy, buy, buy advertisements this time of year.  So, it’s nice to open the mail and receive a nice card with a note of appreciation and gratitude.

Are you thinking of sending Holiday Cards?   I would love to help you take that task off your to do list or at least make it easier for you.  I invite you to log on and find out how to create, personalize, add photos, and mail your cards via the US mail with just a few mouse clicks.  Yes, these are REAL greeting cards that arrive in your mailbox, not ecards.  I invite you to try out this system and send a REAL greeting card with my compliments from SendingCardsMadeEZ.com.  And I would be glad to help you.

Sending cards is just one of my favorite things about the Holiday season. I love the music, the decorations, all the tasty food, and of course seeing and visiting with family and friends.

Now if the cleaning and organizing fairy will show up and get busy, maybe I'll be ready by the time all the family starts arriving.

I wish you and yours a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

‘Helping You and Your Business Look Good’

Happy Anniversary!

Hope your summer is going well.  I am pleased to announce that the greeting card system has had some recent upgrades.  We have just announced Picture Plus 2.0.  This is a wonderful upgrade if you want to create very custom cards.  It is like having PhotoShop in the card editor or like doing electronic scrapbooking.  I have really enjoyed creating some really cool cards.  Here is a link to my website to try out the new features, www.SendingCardsMadeEZ.com

For those who only have an occasionally need to send a card, we now have that capability.  You can now access my Retail Store Front at www.SOCRetail.com/paintedlady and send only one card at a time without signing up for any type of membership.  You can also send gifts from this site.  I invite you the next time you have the need to send a card to give this site a try.    


The Greeting Card business is booming. Due to economic conditions and challenges that many face throughout the world, people are looking for alternative ways to create additional sources of income. People are also looking for hope and a way to turn hope into actual possibility.  July 17 marks my 4th anniversary with and I am still loving it.  I love helping others become Senders of Cards at all levels, retail, wholesale, and Entrepreneur.

I am looking for those who are interested in learning how to create income with with this system. If you know of anyone who might be interested please forward this information to them.  From now until the end of July, I am offering a $50 AMX gift card* for any referrals that sign up at the Entrepreneurial level.  To learn more about the company and the opportunity log onto  www.BusinessIncomeOpportunity.info and watch the video.

If you need an ID number to access information, my ID# is 12466.  Please let me know how I may be of help.


Happy Card Sending,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"


*One gift card per person.

Mamas Teach Your Children to Write Thank You Notes

I find that society has become more and more dependent on computers and that the art of saying thank you in the form of a real paper card or note is fading away.   But I think sending a real paper card is one of the nicest little tokens of appreciation you can give someone these days. I know when I open my mailbox, I'm excited when I find something personal, like a card.   I smile and I usually keep that card to remind me of that person especially if it was a genuine heartfelt personal card.

This is the time of year we usually receive a lot of thank you cards from such occasions and events like graduations, showers, weddings, etc.  I think one of best things we can teach our children is the importance of writing thank you cards and the proper way to write thank you cards.

The key is very simple – you really have to mean it when you say thank you!  People get it when you genuinely mean something and also when you are just going through the motions.

The most beautiful thing about truly thanking someone is that it creates a deeper and instant bond between people.

In 1922 Emily Post wrote, "In writing notes or letters, as in all other forms of social observance, the highest achievement is in giving the appearance of simplicity, naturalness and force."

Keep it Short - Only one or two sentences at the most. Anymore than that and you are running the risk that it will not be read at all.

Post It - Always use the traditional mailing method for your thank you notes. There is more of a chance that they will remember your note if it is delivered in an envelope, more so than they would if it is just another email on a long list of emails.

Time it Right – Write and mail your thank you notes immediately or as soon after the event or receipt of the gift as possible.   Sending notes weeks and months after the occasion or event loses sincerity.

Be specific about what you are thanking people for.  Sometimes it means even more when people know what they are being thanked for e.g. ‘Thanks so much John for the book on resume writing.  I will certainly put it to good use.’  Or 'Thank you so much for the coffee pot with the timer.  You know how we LOVE our coffee.'  It makes the whole exchange richer and more meaningful than just a casual generic “thanks."

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow” – Melody Beattie

Smile - Smile while you are writing the note because it will put a positive slant on your words and your happiness and enthusiasm will be conveyed to the reader.

Such a small gesture of appreciation and gratitude should be a habit in everyone's personal and business life.  

You may also reference the Seven Rules for Sending Greeting Cards  for more information on sending thank you notes and other greeting cards.

In Appreciation,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Customer Loyalty

April is International Customer Loyalty Month – What better time to send customers a Thank You card for their continued business?

People do business with people they know, like, and trust. It is five times harder to get a new client and it cost six to seven times more money, than it does to keep an existing client. Statistics say that if a business retains only 5% of their customer base, it can increase their business by 50%.

68% of all customers are lost due to perceived indifference! A customer who feels appreciated will not go elsewhere when the competition comes calling.  Repeat customers spend 67 percent more. They are your referral engine After 10 purchases, a customer has already referred up to 7 people.

Customer service = Good
Customer Loyalty = Great!

Only 3% of the postal mail is personal. Imagine going to your mailbox and there amongst the bills and junk mail is an unexpected greeting card and you open it and it’s from someone you know and the person is saying thanks, or congratulations, or you made a difference to me. Someone thought about you and followed through and sent a card.  It feels good.

Electronic mail comes and goes but hardcopy thank you notes last.  66 % of consumers surveyed indicated that business greeting cards sent to show appreciation for a purchase or a referral makes them more likely to do future business with that company.

"Even though business thank you cards offer a tangible way for companies to demonstrate customer appreciation, only 44 % of the consumers surveyed received a thank you greeting card from companies with which they do business," said Marc Wagenheim, product marketing director for Hallmark Business Expressions.

Greeting Card campaigns can be used for customer retention which will increase loyalty and referrals.
A campaign is a simple, easy way to set up a series of cards to go out to a client at different pre-set intervals. Just set it up once and forget it. If the campaign is only 4 to 5 cards, the cost per customer would be about $5 per year. So it is a very inexpensive way to keep a company’s name in the fore front of their customers mind.

Example Card Campaign for Insurance Agent –

Card #1 – Thank You card sent to a New Customer
Card #2 – Follow up card mentioning other services – (if you sold them car insurance, then ask about Home Owners. Or vice versus. Or Life Insurance
Card #3 - Who do you know?  Ask for referrals
Card #4 – Birthday Card
Card #5 – Yearly Anniversary - Reminder to call for review of current Policy

Example Card Campaign for Travel Agent –

Card #1 – Thank you for booking your trip
Card #2 – Bon Voyage - Sent to be received right before the client leaves on Vacation
Card #3 – Welcome Home - To be received when the client returns from Vacation. Asking for feedback.
Card #4 – 6 months later. Time to plan for next your next Vacation
Card #5 - Birthday and Anniversary cards

Example Card Campaign for Veterinarian -

Card #1 - New Client - Congratulations on your new pet and/or Thank You for your business
Card #2 - Reminder of Follow up wellness visit
Card #3 - Birthday Card
Card #4 - Send card for National Pet Month which is April
Card #5 - Follow up card mentioning other services, i.e. grooming, dental, etc. and/or ask for referrals

Tip – When sending a card, make the card about the customer and not just getting business. Send to give not to get.

Other possibilities for sending cards throughout the year are Non-Traditional Holidays.  By sending a card other than or in addition to the end of the year holidays, sets a company apart.  People tend to get so many cards that time of year, they all become a blur.

Examples of other holidays and Non-traditional Holidays -

o Ground Hog Day
o Procrastination Day
o St. Patrick’s Day
o April fool’s Day
o Easter
o 4th of July
o Labor Day
o Halloween – (Finances and taxes can be scary) (Credit Cards can be scary)  (The 'Scary' aspect can be used for almost any business).

In my previous blog was a list of websites for major holidays and non-traditional holidays:

And of course sending cards for the following is always a good idea:

- Birthday cards
- Anniversary cards –
       - On the anniversary the client made a purchase, i.e. purchase of home
       - On their traditional anniversary
       - The anniversary of a company being in business. Send a TY for their continued business/loyalty


- Congratulations – Send a card for the new job, promotion, accomplishment, marriage, new baby

With April being International Customer Loyalty Month, what better time to send customers a Thank You card for their continued business?

To keep relationships strong, companies need to regularly remind clients that they are important to them. They also need to remind them who they are, what they do, what services they offer, and why they are their best choice for their product or service. Busy people tend to choose the fastest solution to a problem. By keeping in touch with greeting cards, a company makes themselves stand apart from the rest of the crowd and their clients are more apt to call them the next time they need their product or service.

Tradition says greeting cards are personal. Greeting cards have a traditional feeling of warmth and sincerity; our culture maintains that greeting cards are personal and are sent from someone with whom there is a relationship. In a world of impersonal form letters and mass email, memorable greeting cards are a refreshing marketing tool that will add a personal and memorable touch to the interaction with clients. By incorporating greeting cards into a retention strategy, the message is being sent to the client that an important relationship exists.

“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”
                                                                                 - Marian Wright-Edelman

I invite you to check out a simple and easy way to send greeting cards directly from your computer with just a few mouse clicks.  Pick a card, personalize it and our company will print, stuff, stamp, and mail your cards for you.  You can set up campaigns with several cards, as mentioned above, to go out at pre-set intervals. Act now and be entered in a drawing for the book 'Appreciation Marketing.'  Log onto  http://www.cardsforbusinessuse.com/ and register for a gift account today.  Be sure and state that you read about this offer on my blog and I will send you the link to send two complimentary greeting cards and register you for the drawing for 'Appreciation Marketing.'

In appreciation,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"
>

Whirlwind

Life is good and so exciting! I've been gone for nine days on a vacation, wedding trip, honeymoon, and company convention. And yes, I planned it all to coincide. Now trying to get caught up.

First things first, yes I did get married to my long time significant other of nine and half years. We were married in Lake Tahoe. Hope to have pictures posted on Facebook soon. From there we went to Salt Lake for my company convention.

I am so excited about all the new announcements at convention, especially the new product to become a sender of greeting cards. It is a great product for home, office, and school parties, trade shows, fund raisers, etc. The list just goes on and on. Also, a new low entry fee to get started making money, and all just in time for the holidays! ALL The best features of direct sales.

So I am busy scheduling 'Celebrate Life' parties and following up with all those folks who have expressed interest. This is a wonderful opportunity just in time for the holidays - gifts and greeting cards.

Let me know if you would like more information.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

August Winner

In August I made the offer again to give away Chocolate Brownies. In order to be eligible to win you had to send a free greeting card*.

I am pleased to announce that Maureen McKeown owner of the Atlanta Kids Directory will be receiving decadent Chocolate Brownies in her mailbox very soon. Here is what Maureen has to say about the greeting card system, "I love SOC! It is so easy to put what were once thoughts of Thanks, Happy Birthday, Sympathy, etc. into action. Using Send Out Cards for both my business and personal use has enabled me to enrich my connections to family, friends and customers in a way that is uniquely me. The cost and time savings is just an added plus!"

Maureen liked the system so much, she signed up for an Entrepreneur account.

There are over 14,000 greeting cards to choose from. There are new ones being added each month. Cards for every conceivable occasion. And also gifts for everyone on your gift list. A record was set in June with over 40,000 gifts sent. Chocolate Brownies is just one of many gifts that can be sent with your greeting card. No going to the store or to the post office. Just a few mouse clicks and your greeting cards and gifts are on their way.

One great feature about this system is you can schedule cards to go out at a later date. Imagine getting all your holiday cards done now and scheduled to mail in November or December. Don't procrastinate, call me today and I can help you get this task done early rather than frantically worrying about it later.

Since this has been such a great promotion, I've decided to continue with it. Is your mouth watering just thinking about Chocolate Brownies? In order for you to be entered in the drawing for your very own Chocolate Brownies go to www.RememberGreetingCards.com/PaintedLady and register for a Free Greeting Card Gift account. I will email a link to the website to send two free greeting cards. These are real cards, not E-Cards. You select your cards, personalize your cards, even add digital photos, click send, and we will print and mail your cards anywhere in the world where postal mail can be delivered. I'm sure there is someone you need to send a card to, i.e. Thank You, Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, Just Because, Thinking of you, etc.

No fees, no minimum. Send one card for less than $1.00 plus postage or send hundreds of cards at one time. Try it today and see how quick and easy it is to send a card and a whole lot cheaper than going to the store. Maybe you'll be my next lucky winner.

*This offer is for anyone who has not tried the system since January 2009. Log in today and see all the new features and all the new cards.

*Want more chances to win? Here's how:

- Refer your friends. - You receive one entry for each friend you refer who sends a card. Tell them to be sure and state how they found out about the system.

- Set up your own auto order account of at least 20 points per month. That's only $9.80 and buys you points for 20 postcards or 10 regular greeting cards. That's a whole lot cheaper than going to the store.

- Upgrade an existing account to a:

- Picture Plus Account - Gives you the capability of making your own custom cards by uploading your digital photos and placing them on the front of your cards

- Wholesale account - Gives you a 35% discount on your points, Picture Plus, and your handwriting font so you can send 'handwritten' notes.

- Entrepreneur account - All of the above plus make money referring others. www.BusinessIncomeOpportunity.info

See how many times you can be entered for additional chances to win decadent Chocolate Brownies. The Chocolate Brownies are just one of the many gifts that you can send with your Greeting Card.

Looking forward to seeing who the next lucky winner will be.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

And the Winner is.....

In July I made the offer to give away Chocolate Brownies. In order to be eligible to win you had to send a free greeting card. I am pleased to announce that Lanell of Atlanta will be receiving decadent Chocolate Brownies in her mailbox very soon. Lanell is a make up artist and says she will be using the greeting card system for business to send personalized thank yous to her clients and hostesses and personally, she can use them to send greetings to family and friends.

There are over 14,000 greeting cards to choose from. There were over 500 new ones added just last month. Cards for every conceivable occasion. And also gifts for everyone on your gift list. A record was set in June with over 40,000 gifts sent. Chocolate Brownies is just one of many gifts that can be sent with your greeting card. No going to the store or to the post office. Just a few mouse clicks and your greeting cards and gifts are on their way.

Is your mouth watering just thinking about Chocolate Brownies? Well I've decided to make this offer again for the month of August. In order for you to be entered in the drawing for your very own Chocolate Brownies go to www.RememberGreetingCards.com/PaintedLady and register for a Free Greeting Card Gift account. You will receive a link to the website to send two free greeting cards. These are real cards, not E-Cards. You select your cards, personalize your cards, even add digital photos, click send, and we will print and mail your cards anywhere in the world where postal mail can be delivered. I'm sure there is someone you need to send a card to, i.e. Thank You, Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, Just Because, Thinking of you, etc.

Try it today and see how quick and easy it is to send a card and a whole lot cheaper than going to the store. Maybe you'll be my next lucky winner.

Good Luck,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]">

Time for Celebration!

Today I am celebrating finding an amazing service three years ago and I want to give you a gift. Be sure and read to the very end to find out what my gift to you is.

Three years ago I was searching on the internet for information on The Laws of Attraction. I was clicking on various websites and I happened on a forum about LOA. I read the posts and noticed a signature link about greeting cards. I have always been a card sender so it intrigued me. I clicked on the link and filled out the form to request to send a free card. I thought that if the service really did what it said it did, I would be one of their best customers. A little while later I received a phone call giving me the link to the website to send my greeting card. I tried it and was immediately hooked. It DID do everything described and More! I knew I had to have this amazing system. I wouldn't have to go to the card store again. I could truly customize and personalize my cards. It would remind me when to send the cards. I could type my message in the cards and it would come out in my handwriting. I could add photos to the cards. It was to good to be true. I wanted it. For the next three days I did my due diligence and searched the web for what else was out there that was comparable. (I was really searching for a better price. I wanted all the bells and whistles, but I'm also a frugal person so I wanted to know if there was anything else available.) I found some other services, but none offered all the features and they all cost more. So after three days of thought, research, and asking questions I signed up for the Entrepreneur account. My plan was to use it for business as well as personal use, because I was buying about 15 to 30 greeting cards a month. With this service the cards costs a whole lot less than the store brand cards and I didn't have to go to the store or the post office. That saved me time and and lots of money. I could also schedule cards to be mailed ahead of time.

It gets even better. You know how when you find something that's really great you want to tell all your friends about it. Well, I started showing this to a few friends and business acquaintances and they wanted to sign up too. Hmmmm.....I thought this is to easy. It got me to thinking and looking at the advantages offed by this company. The benefits were very appealing. I decided to change my business focus and re-vamped my product offers and marketing and never looked back. To date I have sent over 4050 cards.

This is truly a home based business that anyone who believes in gratitude and showing appreciation can do.

You only need a phone, a computer, and the desire to show and tell people about this amazing product.

No home parties
No opportunity meetings
No inventory
A company with a 5 year track record and growing
Unique product
It's Easy and convenient to use
No high monthly volume required
Product that compliments every business
Product for individual use
Widely used product for both men and woman (in fact the top people in the company are men)
It's International
Minimal start up costs
Competitively priced for consumer
Balance of right now money and residual money
And best of all - It's FUN!

So, what is the gift I'm offering to you?

Chocolate! - I want to give away as many Greeting Card Gift accounts today (and until the end of the month) as possible, so for every person who goes to my website - www.remembergreetingcards.com/paintedlady - fills out the form (and be sure and tell me where you heard about this offer.) I will send you a link to send a free greeting card. When you send one greeting card, Your name will then be placed in a drawing to receive Chocolate Brownies - Yum! So if you have never taken advantage of sending a free card from me, do so now and you just might win Chocolate Brownies. I will draw at the end of July, notify the winner, and post the winner here.

Receive extra chances to win by telling your friends about this offer. Just send me the names of those who you send this offer to and when they send their free card, you will receive another chance to receive Free Brownies. Or tell them to list your name on the form to request their free greeting card.

Thank you for your time and your business. Have a Fabulous Friday!

In gratitude,
Annette - Happy Card Sender!
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Mother, May I

April showers bring May flowers…..well hopefully depending on where you live. In my part of the world, Yes the flowers are blooming. I love to look out each day to see what new growth and blooms Mother Nature has brought forth.

May is just full of wonderful occasions to celebrate and show appreciation to the special people in our lives, Teachers, Nurses, and that all important day, Mother’s Day, May 10. The phone company and florists will tell you that Mother’s Day is their biggest holiday of the year.

What special memories do you have of your Mother? I lost my Mother to cancer many years ago. A few days ago I had the chance to visit with one of her brothers and see some of my cousins, aunts, and uncles. We all had a good little laugh as we were sharing one of her ‘secret recipes’ for a favorite southern dish of ours. It seems the ‘made from scratch’ recipe had been modernized over the years and Mother had shared it with a few of us who had pumped her for the information. It’s those memories that we share that make us smile or have a good laugh that hold those who are so special to us close to our hearts and keep them part of our lives. So remember those special ‘moms’ in your life this Mother’s Day whether it’s an aunt, sister, teacher, neighbor, etc. Let them know how special you think they are.

Here are the holidays and special occasions for May (including the quirky ones too):

Holidays -

May-1 Law Day
May-1 Lei Day
May-1 Loyalty Day
May-1 May Day
May-1 Save the Rhino Day
May-2 Brothers and Sisters Day
May-5 Cinco de Mayo
May-6 National Nurses Day
May-8 V-E Day
May-10 Mother's Day
May-10 National Receptionist Day
May-12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
May-15 Peace Officer Memorial Day
May-19 Malcolm X Day
May-21 National Waiter/Waitress Day
May-22 National Maritime Day
May-25 National Missing Children's Day
May-25 National Tap Dance Day

Monthly Observances -

Ultraviolet Awareness Month Prevent Blindness America

Allergy / Asthma Awareness Month Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America

Arthritis Awareness Month Arthritis Foundation

Better Hearing and Speech Month American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Better Sleep Month Better Sleep Council

Breath Easy Month American Lung Assoc.

Correct Posture Month American Chiropractic Assoc.

Digestive Diseases Awareness Month American Gastroenterological Assoc.

Hepatitis Awareness Month Hepatitis Foundation

High Blood Pressure Awareness Month National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month American Academy of Dermatology

Mental Health Month Mental Health Assoc.

National Barbeque Month Barbeque Industry Assoc.

National Bike Month League of American Bicyclists

National Comfort Month Country Living Magazine

National Community Action Month National Coalition for the Homeless

National Egg Month American Egg Board

National High Blood Pressure Education Month National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute

National Photo Month Photo Marketing Assoc.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Presidents Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

National Salad Month The Assoc. for Dressings & Sauces

Neurofibromatosis Month National Neurofibromatosis Foundation

Older Americans Month Administration on Aging

Osteoporosis Prevention Month National Osteoporosis Foundation

Stroke Awareness Month National Stroke Association

Trauma Awareness Month American Trauma Society

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month KQED


First Full Week

Arson Awareness Week US Fire Administration
Be Kind to Animals Week The Humane Society
Goodwill Industries Week Goodwill Industries International
National Pet Week American Veterinary Medical Assoc.
National Postcard Week Postcard Historical Society
PTA Teacher Appreciation Week National PTA
Small Business Week Small Business Administration
Week of the Classroom Teacher Association for Childhood Education International


Second Week

National Nurses Week American Nurses Assoc.
Hospital Week Advanced Health in American
MCS Awareness Week Ecological Health Organization
National Travel & Tourism Week National Travel & Tourism Awareness Council
Herb Week International Herb Growers & Marketers Assoc.
National Historic Preservation Week National Trust for Historic Preservation
Canadian Immunization Awareness Week (Canada) Canadian Immunization Awareness Program


Third Week

Alcohol & Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Emergency Medical Services Week American College of Emergency Physicians
Hurricane Awareness Week (see website for sponsors)
National Bike Week League of American Bicyclists
National Police Week American Police Hall of Fame Museum
Medical Transcriptionist Week American Assoc. for Medical Transcription
National Salvation Army Week Salvation Army
Nursing Home Week American Healthcare Assoc.


Quirky Holidays –

May 6 No Homework Day -- Millions of kids, all of them overloaded with homework, get a much-needed night off tonight. Give 'em a break, teachers! These young folks are working harder than Mom 'n' Dad.

May 8 No Socks Day -- If we give up wearing socks for one day, it will mean a little less laundry, thereby contributing to the betterment of the environment. Besides, we will all feel a bit freer, at least for one day.

May 11 Eat What You Want Day -- Here’s one day you may actually enjoy yourself. Ignore all those on-again-off-again warnings.

May 21 I Need a Patch for That Day -- They have patches for nicotine and they have patches for heart patients. How about a patch for runny noses or bad hair?

May 28 The Slugs Return From Capistrano Day -- It’s a little known secret that slimy slugs spend their winters in lovely Capistrano, and return to our patios and gardens on this date. Bare feet are not a good idea.

Have fun celebrating!

In gratitude,
Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises
Gifts, Greeting Cards, and Promotional Products
www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

The History of Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!


Every February, across the country, cards, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and it's patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Special thanks to American Greetings

Send someone a H.U.G. – Heartfelt Unexpected Greeting
compliments of Painted Lady Greeting Cards




www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com

“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

Are Your Greeting Cards Done Yet?

Well it's December and the holidays are fast approaching whether you like it or not. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It's just all the preperation leading up to it that gets me in a panic, wondering how in the world I'm going to get everything done.

One thing I can check off my list is the task of sending my greeting cards. Since I found this wonderful greeting card system over two years ago, sending my holiday cards is a snap. After I finally decide on my theme and design, it's a breeze. I can send a unique personalized card to everyone on my list and even send gifts or gift cards to those out of town that I won't be seeing over the holidays. I love to receive and send cards throughout the year. I guess that's why I enjoy this business so much and I like helping others with their cards too.

I'm also going to be sending greeting cards from Santa again this year. It's my third year to do this. It is so much fun creating cards for all the little ones who still believe in Santa Claus. I just wish I could be there when they get their personalized cards and see the expressions on their little faces. I love hearing from everyone about how surprised their child was and how they had to read the card to them over and over again.

Sending cards is just one of my favorite things about the Holiday season. I love the music, the decorations, all the good food, and of course seeing and visiting with family and friends.

Now if the cleaning and organizing fairy will show up and get busy, maybe I'll be ready by the time all the family starts arriving.

Happy Holidays,
Annette

Are your Holiday Cards done yet? Log on and find out how to create, personalize, and mail your cards with just a few mouse clicks. Send them a REAL greeting card with my compliments from Painted Lady Greeting Cards

Gifts, Greeting Cards, and Promotional Products

www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Follow-up is Key to Success

The Fortune is in the Follow-up

But What and How do You do it? Or Have it done unto You?

Here are some key statistics on follow up:

48% of sales people never follow up with a prospect
25% of sales people make a second contact and stop
12% of sales people only make three contacts and stop
Only 10% of sales people make more than three contacts
2% of sales are made on the first contact
3% of sales are made on the second contact
5% of sales are made on the third contact
10% of sales are made on the fourth contact
80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact

Being in the marketing business I often have people make the statement to me, “Well when I get some customers I will use your product and service.” Huh?

So I ask….how do you follow up with your prospects? And I get varied answers depending on the business. Sometimes I see this blank look on their face and I know they belong to the 48%.

I relate the selling process to that of dating or the really old fashion term - courting. Now I know things have changed a great deal in regards to dating, but think about it. We want the prospects to notice us, to like us, trust us, like our product or service. How do you do that if it’s not ‘Love at First Site?’

We get blasted with all types of media, print ads, direct mail, emails, and the list goes on for products and services that everyone thinks and knows we need before we know we think we need or want it.

So my question is ….. What do you pay attention to in relation to a salesperson’s follow-up? What gets your attention? Email? Direct Mail – (something that is obliviously a form letter)? Personal Mail? Phone calls?

How do you prefer a salesperson to follow up with you? How do you wish to be courted? How does a salesperson gain your respect and trust?

These are the questions I ponder since I am in the relationship marketing business. My goal is to help businesses build relationships with clients and prospects for a source of endless referrals. So when someone makes the statement “I’ll call you when I get some clients….” Are they saying I don’t have any money to spend on your product or service or they just don’t understand good old fashion ‘courting?’

Happy Courting!
Painted Lady Enterprises
Gifts, Greeting Cards, & Promotional Products
www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”