Today, you have the Internet, and you can literally reach the world, but you have to take it one step further. Do not underestimate the power of the web combined with the power of appreciation.

Ask yourself these 5 questions:

1. What happens when someone walks into my store or lands on my website?
2. Who is the first person they see?
3. Will I welcome them like a good friend or will they be turned off by my indifference?
4. Do I let them know that there is a real person behind the website or am I just another “www” to them?
5. How will I take care of them once they become my customer?

These are all questions you need to address now, because if you don’t, your competition will.

You know that you need to have a business plan and marketing plan, but does your business have a well-prepared customer appreciation plan?

Here are two things you can do right now.

First, when someone lands on your website and subscribes to your newsletter, immediately send them a thank you card. People are busy and are bombarded with email. By tomorrow, they’ve most likely forgotten that they’ve stopped at your website.

When you send them a thank you card, yes a real card in the mail, thank them for taking the time out of their busy day to stop by your site to subscribe to your newsletter. They will never expect to get something in the mail from a website, so when it arrives at their house, they will be totally surprised.

Next, pick up the phone and give them a call, not to sell them anything, but just to introduce yourself. Remember, they stopped at your site, so all you’re doing is thanking them. You will be amazed at how receptive people are when you say who you are. If they’re not home, leave a message.

Here’s what I say, “Hi John, this is Patty Gale from Inspired WebWorks and I was calling to just introduce myself and to thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to visit my website and subscribe to my newsletter. I wanted to make sure you received my free report and to let you know that if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.”

See how simple that is?

Doing just those two simple things right away will let your visitors know that you truly have their best interest at heart. They will now have your website, something in the mail and your voice.

That is the start of a beautiful relationship, simply by showing them that you care. Today, you may not be in a walking distance neighborhood, like my grandmother was, but that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace your customers in that same way. If you don’t, your competition will.

Related posts:

1. Embrace Your Customers or Your Competition Will
2. What Happens After the Sale?