Are You Looking to Grow Your Business?

I often write about how to network.  Today I am recommending an upcoming networking event.

It has been my privilege to be part of BNI for 10 years.  The very first time I attended a BNI meeting, I found it to be a little overwhelming and intimidating.  The meeting I attended had about 30+ members from various businesses.  At the time I was just beginning my entrepreneur journey after being in the corporate world for almost 20 years.  I wasn't necessarily thrilled with the time commitment or the cost of membership with BNI.  I thought at the time, I could do better on my own attending numerous networking meetings of various varieties each week.  

Over the next few years, I got to be known as the 'Networking Queen' in a tri-county area, because just about every time there was a networking meeting of any description, I was there. Sometimes attending 2 or 3 in one day.  I even attended a few more BNI meetings.

Then one day I received a call from a good friend of mine, who was part of a new BNI group near me.  She informed me that my industry seat had opened up in her chapter and I needed to come check it out.  So I did and submitted an application.  I soon discovered there was definitely a difference in this organization.  I learned the 'why' and the purpose behind the structure.  I appreciated the on-going training provided as it has helped me to grow my business.  I often tell people, I traded quantity for quality. 

Yes, I have drank the Kool-Aid and I'm now an Area Director.  So I would like to invite you to Network if you're in the area - 

You're Invited

On June 13th, 2019, the BNI BLAZE Chapter will host their launch and Ribbon Cutting for the newest BNI Chapter in the Cumming Forsyth County area.

BLAZE stands for 'Bringing Leadership and Zeal to Entrepreneurs.'  The group is a dynamic, committed group of business people. They have open categories for individuals who will bring enthusiasm and integrity to our meetings.

BNI is the oldest and largest networking organization in the world. It was started by Dr. Ivan Misner 34 years ago. Today BNI has over 253,000 members in almost 9,000 chapters globally. In the last 12 months, BNI members have generated 11.2 million in referrals which has generated 15.7 billion in closed business. BNI members, on average, increase their business 20% the first year.  To learn more go to www.BNI.com or www.BNIATL.com

- Are you looking to grow your business?
- Receive more referrals?
- Work in a fun team environment?
- Develop relationships and trust?
- Grow personally and professionally?

You are Invited to attend the

BNI BLAZE Visitor Day & Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, June 13th

8:15 - 10:30AM

Junior Achievement Discovery Center

1150 Lanier 400 Parkway

Cumming GA 30040

Please RSVP for this event by calling 706-270-2455

For future meetings and locations, please like and follow BNI BLAZE on Facebook

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Customer Loyalty and Relationship Marketing

This month is International Customer Loyalty Month.  It is said that it takes 5 to 25 times more time and money (depending on which reports you read) to gain a new customer vs. working to retain the ones we have.

Statistics say that if a business retains only 5% of their customer base, it can increase their business by 50%.  Why?  Because loyal happy customers will keep buying and will refer new business.

68% of all customers are lost due to perceived indifference! A customer who feels appreciated will not go elsewhere when the competition comes calling.  They will remain loyal rather than go shopping for price.

Repeat customers spend 67 percent more. They are your referral engine.  After 10 purchases, a customer has typically already referred up to 7 people.

Giving Great Customer service = Good Business

Having Customer Loyalty = Great Business!

So why work harder when we can work smarter by continuously showing our current customers appreciation.  To keep relationships strong, businesses 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, 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.  Social media is a good way to remain visible to prospects and clients.  Email marketing is also good way to remind prospects and clients you are still around and in business.  But doing something more personal sets a business apart from the rest.  From page 115 of The 29% Solution ..."Good follow-up is not just doing what is required or what you've promised to do.  It also involves going BEYOND what is expected. 

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.

I invite you to check out a true referral system that is simple and easy.  SendOutCards has completely overhauled their system adding many new features making it is easier than ever to follow up and show prospects and clients real appreciation.  No more points.  No more expense account.  Just pay for the cards and gifts you send.  Try it out today.  It now works similar to an ITunes account.  Set up a Free account and see all the new features.  Or if you’ve ever had an account, it’s still there.  Download the app and even send cards from your mobile device.  Here’s the link  www.RelationshipMarketingMadeEZ.com  Click on ‘Business’ to see all the new features, i.e. premade drip campaigns for various industries.  A contact manager system that is some people pay hundreds of dollars for and it doesn’t send cards.  Or I can send you a short video that explains all the new features.  And I would be happy to talk with you and show you all the new features.  What ever is easiest for you, I’m here to help.

“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

Happy Keeping in Touch,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

‘Helping My Clients and Their Business Look Good’