How is it Going for You?

 Happy New Year!

  

Hope your New Year is off to a Great start. Did Christmas and New Year's come and go and you still didn't get your cards mailed.  Did you know it is still perfectly permissible to send 'Happy New Year' cards up until the end of January.  I received one myself the other day from a law firm that had a casual photo of all their attorneys on the front of the card. In fact, you will even stand out more by sending a card now because your card is not lost in the holiday chaos.

There are many opportunities and reasons to reach out. With all that's going on right now, it's a good time to reach out to family and friends.  February 7th is 'Send a Friend a Card' Day. Another good day to remember those 'besties' that you maybe haven't been able to see lately.

And then there is Valentine's Day Feb. 14.  That's another great holiday to send those you love a 'Hug in the Mail.'  

If you have a business - Show your clients how much you value them by sending your clients a 'I Appreciate Your Business' card on 'Customer Appreciation Day' April 18th.

Click Here to Send a Free card today and see how the system works and receive a link to share to gift a friend.  I think you'll love it!

Here are some additional resources for Relationship Marketing:

The Gratitude Effect

Relationship Marketing 

 SendOutCards Recommended by Dr. Ivan Misner

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Perspective

In this uncertain time, how are you approaching things?  Doom and gloom or looking for opportunities?  I am a big fan of Shark Tank, the TV show, and recently I saw a segment on Daymond John and his new book Powershift. It is very inspiring.  It's all in our perspective.  'If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.'  If you think it will work, or you think it won't work, you're right.'  

Yes, this situation is wreaking havoc in all areas of our lives, but it's how we react is going to determine how we come out of this.  We've probably all faced some sort of set back in our life.  Did you let it control you or did you take charge?

Once when going through a rather difficult period in my life, I heard what a friend had to say about the way I was responding to the situation, 'Well you know, AW, she is just pulling up her bootstraps and taking care of business.'

Now granted, I did my fair share of wallowing in some self-pity, but I knew that wasn't going to get me anywhere.  And I knew that if anything was going to get done or changed, it was up to me to do it. The past is the past....leave it there.  You can't change it.  Learn from it. Use it to do things differently, make things better given the opportunity again.

Why do I say this?  I guess because I have a problem with the naysayers.  Have you ever said it won't work, only to see someone make it work and turn it into a successful venture?  I haven't found my million dollar idea yet, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop looking.  

So, I guess I'm fortunate in that I made the decision some time ago, to have a virtual business.  My goal was to be able to work anywhere I could get internet service.  To offer products and services that most people could use or benefit from.  'Knock on wood' being virtual hasn't affected me like many business owners I know.  However, some of the work I do is for other business owners and so far I'm still doing work for them.

Today, March 19, is International Client Day.  It is a day we are to be grateful for the clients we have.  One of the things I try to convey in regards to relationship marketing is to keep in touch with clients and prospects because you never know when they might need your products or services or when they can refer you.  That's why you keep in touch.  Keeping in touch takes many forms, i.e. phone calls, emails, newsletters, social media, and the old fashion US mail.  Which ones of these methods do you use to keep in touch?  I use all of them, but I particularly like sending cards.  I send my clients thank you cards, birthday cards, anniversary, etc.  I believe by adding a personal touch helps to strengthen the relationship and helps to be remembered.

I mention the sending of cards because this is also an affiliate, work from home, business opportunity.  No it's not a get rich quick scheme, but by using the system and sharing the benefits, there is revenue to be made.  Of course the amount is determined by each individual.  The reason I share this is because SendOutCards has waived the affiliate fee until March 30th.  Here's an opportunity to start a home-based business with no upfront costs not even a subscription unless you choose to.  So if you love spreading good cheer, gratitude, helping people feel good, etc. this just might be what you're looking for.  Here's the link Click Here and scroll down to where is says Affiliate Opportunity.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Here are some additional resources for Working Virtually:

Seven Tips for Working At Home

Networking Online

5 Tips for What to Wear for Video Conferencing

The Gratitude Effect

Relationship Marketing 

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

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’

Thanksgiving Gratitude

It is said that in order to receive, we must be thankful for what we already have.  Not just at Thanksgiving, but all year long.  I came across an article published by Forbes by Neale Godfrey that says that people who have an 'Attitude of Gratitude' tend to be happier, healthier, and live longer.

Here are some highlights from the article that I found most interesting....

Gratitude can be taught and we can live it by example.  It’s even healthy for us and may counterbalance the damaging health effects of our overindulgence all year long, especially at Thanksgiving.  If we can extend the “thankful” part of our lives beyond “turkey day," we may be happier, less stressed, and around to see many more turkey days with our loved ones. 

“Throughout history, philosophers and religious leaders have extolled gratitude as a virtue integral to health and well-being.  Now, through a recent movement called positive psychology, mental health professionals are taking a close look at how virtues such as gratitude can benefit our health. And they are reaping positive results... Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, [and] regular physical examinations.”

Gratitude research is suggesting that feelings of thankfulness have a positive value in helping people cope with daily stressors at home and at work.   Think about it.  If you are grateful, you are probably more optimistic and that is a “... characteristic that researchers say boosts the immune system.  A report from The University of Queensland in Australia also supports the findings that, “A positive attitude can improve your immune system and may help you live longer.”

So let us carry our Thanksgiving gratitude throughout the whole year.

Wishing you and your family a Very Happy Thanksgiving.

Click here to read the entire article. 

 
Your comments are welcomed and appreciated. 

Happy Thanksgiving,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Love Thy Clients and Customers

Last week was International Networking Week.  I was asked to do a Lunch and Learn for a local Chamber of Commerce.  Part of my presentation stressed the importance of staying in touch with past customers and prospects.  So many businesses focus on getting new clients and sometimes they tend to neglect the existing clients they have.  I’ve always heard that it costs 5 times more to acquire a new customer versus keeping existing customers.  In an article by Inc.com, they explain this principle.  

Another math equation that’s hard to explain is; by retaining 5% of our customer base we can increase our business by 50%.  How is that possible?  If our current clients love our products and services they will refer us to their family and friends as well as other business colleagues when given the opportunity.  Who doesn’t prefer a word-of mouth referral versus other means of marketing?

They say the number one reason a customer leaves is perceived indifference.  They didn’t feel appreciated.  Can you relate?

So how do you develop and keep Loyal Clients?  Those who will buy again and again, write reviews, and refer you to their family and friends and other business associates?

Here are a few ways to show your clients you appreciate them:

• ·        Show them you care beyond the sale – Provide Great Customer Service before, during, and after the sale.  Exceed their expectations.  Show them you care.

• ·        Keep in touch – Depending on your industry, touch base with your clients periodically just to see how things are going.  Not to sell them something else.  Use high tech, low tech, no tech, whatever it takes to let them know you are there to be of service.

• ·        Provide information – Educating your clients on ways to use your service/product that will save them time and money.  Providing business tips and information.

• ·        Handle any issues and complaints in a timely expedient manner.

• ·        Make your client feel like a V.I.P.  Offer Value-added services and products as a way to say thank you for their on-going business and especially for their referrals.

• ·        Be a resource to your client.  Seek ways that you can be of service.  Be a connector.  Perhaps referring them to another business colleague who will help them.

• ·        Show gratitude – Not only after the first sale, but make it a ritual to thank your clients on an on-going basis, for example – some Realtors send a Happy Anniversary card every year on the date that the client purchased their new home.  Or have you ever heard of the World's Greatest Salesman - Joe Girard?  Click here to read his story.

By showing your existing clients that you care and are there for them, they won’t be so apt to leave when someone else offers a lower price.

We would love to hear your comments and the ways you show your clients you care.

Here’s to Happy Clients!

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

‘Helping My Clients and Their Business Look Good’

Thank You and Happy New Year!

Looking back at 2014 feeling accomplished and grateful, I would like to thank all who gave me the opportunity to help them and their business in some small way.  I created a slide show to highlight some of my wonderful clients.


I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!  I look forward to all the possibilities that 2015 will bring.

As everyone else, I am in the mist of setting goals and resolutions both personally and for business.  Would love to hear what your goals and resolutions include.

If your resolutions include outsourcing some of your less favorite tasks, I hope that you will give consideration to letting us offer some suggestions for solutions for you.  You can find a list of services on our website at www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com.

Sincerely,

Annette
Virtual Assistant
Painted Lady Enterprises
Please 'Like' Us on Facebook - www.Facebook.com/PaintedLadyEnterprises

Why should we show appreciation to our clients and customers?

Often times when I write a blog I search for material from online articles and blogs.  Recently I've been writing about the 'Why' we should do things.  Usually when we know and understand our 'Why' then the how is much more doable. 

When I did a search on 'Why' we should show appreciation to our clients and customers, I didn't find much.  I found more on the 'How.'   I believe our 'Why' has to be more than to increase our bottom line.  If the perception you want associated with your business is that of friendliness, gratitude, and humbleness, then this is an area to focus some time and resources.

Showing appreciation is important, yet not all of us practice that consistently with our customers, co-workers, volunteers or connections.  According to a SoulPancake video, The Science of Happiness: An Experiment in Gratitude, showing gratitude benefits the party being thanked and the person showing gratitude as well.

Being busy is often cited as the reason there’s a delay or oversight in sharing appreciation, followed by the awkwardness.  In the video, the experiment of thanking those who had been most influential in our lives was a bit awkward for some.  However, the results were very beneficial to both parties.

Probably showing appreciation to clients and customers may seen a little time consuming.  Good habits take time and showing gratitude is no different. 

The most important part of this is that it must be sincere and communicated in a way and form that the recipient can hear.   

Keep in mind people do business with people. A strong, appreciative culture growing in your business will exude and become a part of your brand culture. That will be evident in every interaction with your customers.

People are far more willing to associate and do business with someone who appreciates and respects them. By focusing on showing gratitude, co-workers, colleagues, customers and others around you feel valued and important.

I think this quote sums it up - “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow” - Melody Beattie

In appreciation,

Annette

www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com

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*Excerpts from US News article - 'How to show appreciation to colleagues and clients.'

An Attitude of Gratitude

The time has changed. The days are shorter, but it seems the years are getting shorter too.  I would like to think that 'time flies when you're having fun,' rather than it being because I'm getting older. But with every passing year I cherish my life and my loved ones even more. For who knows how much time we have left to be with them and enjoy their company.

I found a wonderful inspirational article I want to share with you.  It's called 'Keep an Attitude of Gratitude.' It is from the book 'Attitude is Everything.'  The article was written by Vicki Hitzges and features Zip Ziglar, who is one of my all time favorite motivational speakers.  (The book is also by Vicki.)  Be sure and read all of the article and learn about the marbles.  Click Here to go to the Article.

The book is available on Amazon - 


November is most noted for Thanksgiving, let us give thanks for All the things for which we are grateful. What are you grateful for?   I am grateful for my wonderful family, my health, my marriage, my friends, my home, my business, and my list goes on and on.

Thank you for your time.  Your feedback and comments are welcomed and appreciated.

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

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"

Refresh, Renew, Refocus, and Re-evaluate

It’s Spring time!  Finally!  Green is sprouting from the earth, bushes, and trees.  Beautiful blooms are popping forth.  Time to Refresh, Renew, Refocus, and Re-evaluate.  I saw a post on one of the social media sites that asked the question, ‘It’s the end of the first quarter, what have you accomplished?’   Hmmm….how many of your New Year’s resolutions have already gone by the wayside?  What about those goals you set at the first of the year?  

No worries.  Don’t beat yourself up.  Take a deep breath and get out your list.  Do some accessing and refocus.   Sometimes we get over zealous when making our goals for the New Year.  Sometimes life happens and throws us a curve ball.  Instead of just throwing the list away, now is a good time to take another look and re-evaluate our priorities.

Here are some tips to get back on track.

·         Self Renew - Self-renewing people seem to get a lot done, and still not act harried or talk irrationally.

·         Pace yourself - There are only so many hours in a day to accomplish things, so focus on the main thing.  Don’t burn the candle at both ends.  Don't sweat the small stuff.

·         Keeping the first things first – Be value-driven, and determine what is important.   

·         Single Task – Give your undivided attention to the priorities first.  Trying to multi-task takes the focus off what is truly important.

·         Get support – Focus on what you do best and delegate or hire someone else to do the rest.  Re-evaluate and cull out those tasks that are no longer helping you reach your goals.  Remember the definition of insanity, ‘Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.’

·         Seek advice – Find the expertise from those who are successful in your field and find out what works for them.  Good networking opportunity.

·         Pause – Take some time away from it all.  The time could be to think about what are your priorities, to reflect on all for which you have to be grateful.   Sometimes we are so busy that we get side tracked from what our real priorities are/were.  Pausing is important, and if you need a weekly reminder, sign up at www.pauseworks.com for Pat Katz’s pause e-zine. We are all just one heart attack away from a disaster, so let’s learn to refresh and renew .

·         Find time to be playful and creative – We all know the saying, ‘All work and no play…..’   Stepping away from it all can often times provide that renewal we need to get back on track with our goals again.  Often times it can also bring forth new fresh ideas.

·         Keep in touch – Take time to spend quality time with family and friends.  This time can also provide a new and perhaps a different perspective on our priorities.  We certainly don’t want to get a call one day and then beat ourselves up because we didn’t take the time to go have lunch with an old acquaintance. 

"Common sense is uncommon practice.” Many of these tips are not new.  We all need a reminder.  Sometimes when we stop to reflect we realize that we are not as off track as we thought we were.  Refocusing can get us excited again so we can make those small steps towards those big goals that initially looked so huge.  How do you eat an elephant? – One small bite at a time!

For April’s Holidays and Celebrations, check out these websites.  

Holiday Insights
Brownie Locks
Web Holidays
Earth Calendar
Wellcat - Quirky Holidays

Celebrate the lives of those you love Everyday! Show them you care. Send them a
H.U. G. - A Heartfelt Greeting.

Also check out the Fan Page on Facebook ‘We Have a Card for That.’

In gratitude,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

*The inspiration for this blog came from www.ElaineFroese.com who is a catalyst for courageous conversations and intentional life design.