Thank you image: sxc.hu

Do you take time to write “thank you” notes to customers, friends, potential customers, your suppliers and the occasional person who’s done you a favor?   In today’s fast paced world, notes of appreciation seem to have gone by the wayside.

There are many ways to say “thank you” and to show your appreciation.  Take time to utilize one of them and organize this gesture into your schedule.

• A sticky note attached to an invoice, a product, or something you’ve borrowed and are returning.
• A note specifically designed for the occasion.
• A note you’ve designed with your computer program.
• A note you’ve made by hand
• An e-mail
• A phone call
• A text message

No matter how quickly it’s done or how it’s done, the fact that you’ve taken time to thank someone for a gift, a favor, their time will have special meaning.

How do you say “thank you?”

Post from: My Organized Biz

“writing an address only once.”

Today I received an address from a colleague for someone I need to write a letter.  Instead of writing the address on a scrap of paper near the laptop, I got my note taker little notebook where I jot down odds and ends and reminders.  Then I immediately got an envelope and wrote it there.

Actually that was writing it twice but I didn’t have to spend considerable time looking for it when I want to write the note.  It’s in a notebook where notes should go until I decide whether I want to keep the address in my permanent file.

If I only want to send someone a note or card once, I’ll immediately address it and have it ready for sending.  Usually, I’ve found, that I might want to use the address again, so it’s best to jot it in my little notebook.

In response to a previous post about organizing addresses permanently, I received some really handy suggestions from readers.  Do you have any tips?

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

Don’t tell them all your problems.  (Even if  it’s your best friend, there are more appropriate places to communicate problems than at your business where others may stop in.) 

Have your customers leave feeling better than when they came in…and hopefully they left after purchasing something.

Even when you answer the phone or communicate by e-mail, put enthusiasm into your messages and voice.  Let them hang up or sign off anxious to talk with you again because you make them feel better.

So while organizing your business is important, organizing your attitude is imperative, too!

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

Generally, when on the phone, you get involved longer than planned unless you’re very self-willed.

With text messaging, you can send and receive messages at leisure and answer when you have time.  You also can access e-mail messages and send them with some phones with Internet access.  (One of my business colleagues does this instead of having her laptop with her all the time.)  Very rarely do the text messages require an instant reply so don’t interrupt what you’re doing or business you’re conducting.

However, consider texting etiquette when you use this method of communication and don’t acces your phone at inappropriate times.  It’s very annoying, when someone is talking with you face-to-face, to have them sending texts.  This also can affect your business if your customers feels talking with them is less important than your texting.

How do you utilize and manage texting in your business?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

 Do you realize what impression you give if you always have the cell or a head set attached to your ear?  Or if you’re looking away from the person you’re talking with to check text messages or send them?

You tend to give the impression the people you meet aren’t important.  No, you’re not doing business with them at that moment, but they’re potential customers or may be talking to potential customers.

• Decide to organize your cell phone calls and text messaging so that you don’t have to answer when you’re talking with others, even in a casual conversation, ordering a meal, going through a check-out, dropping clothes at the cleaners, talking to a sales person.
• Make a decision that you’ll act professionally when you own a business and give the impression to customers and potential customers that they are important. 
• Let those who call you frequently know you’ll get to them as soon as you can. (Their phone number or message will be there.)

How do you handle your cell, iPhone or other calls in a professional manner to create a good business image?

Related Post: Do You Text & Drive?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

Image: sxc.hu

As I relate there, I don’t have my addresses organized in one place, so I’m continually wasting time hunting for them.

You may want to check out the above post and read what Christina and Jessica have to say.  Each one describes how she organizes her addresses.  Each has a different method.  I’m studying the replies to see how I can apply their suggestions to a method that suits me.

What about you?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Then they will sit in my tote bag, on my desk, or my stationery box waiting to be addressed.  I have some addresses in a file folders, others in an old address book, more in a schedule book I carry in my purse, others on business cards, and still more in my husband’s computer.

Why can’t I take the time and get them all together? 

I don’t want them all stored on the computer or an electronic address book.  My husband did that once in a handy dandy electronic gadget for this purpose.  Then when the address gadget went “kaput,” we lost all the addresses.

So I must start little by little (possibly part of my 20 minutes per day of organization) and pull them together, along with phone numbers.

How do you organize your addresses for postal mailing.

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

I used a photo album type portfolio when I operated a quiltmaking business.  That was before scrapbooking was a big attraction.  However, this was ideal for showing off my work at that time.

Now I’m involved in party planning,  Not so much the actual hands-on, being present at the affair planning as providing resources for my customers and helping them do their own affair.  I also look at ways to keep their costs down, yet enable them to have a memorable time.

So a portfolio, utilizing scrapbooking techniques to showcase the party ideas and resources, seems a good introduction and serve as a springboard to creativity.  Once I had a plan set down concerning what I would offer, I started my portfolio. I need to have my mission statement, various levels of involvement, and costs for these worked out.

Then I began planning pages with pictures and resources for the various party options.  At first, I chose a scrapbook I had on hand…a colorful green one with snap closing.  I then began composing the pages that will be slipped into plastic covers. 

This initial portfolio may change.  I even may choose a different type of scrapbook, particularly for different occasions.  Also, I may create different portfolios for various types of parties.

I’ll also develop a blog to accompany this.

Have you ever utilized a scrapbook type of portfolio for promoting your business?  How did you organize it to be effective?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

 Sometimes a blog can be an offshoot of your web site, if you have one.  In other  instances, you begin your online presence with a blog. 

Some possibilities for blog content to make it appealing.  Thus viewers will keep returning, and your business becomes a household name:

1. Include photos. 
2. Keep blog entries fairly short.
3. Use lists of tips and items to make for easy reading
4. Decide whether your blog will be product/service oriented or include some personal interaction.
5. Keep the posts from being dry and preachy
6. Include humor if it’s appropriate
7. Include helpful information that relates to your business
8. Give tips that would relate to your products and be of interest to customers.
9. Give background information about yourself, your products and services
10. If you’re not good at writing, enlist the help of someone who is…perhaps a family member or employee associated with your business.

How have you found a blog effective for your business?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Organize yourself so that you have time to write well on your web site or blog

Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts, has some thoughts about what could be wrong with your business web site: One most common problem that many companies overlook is the quality of the writing on their website and the quality of writing in their printed materials.

In her blog post, Professional Writing – A Key Component to a Professional Image, gives valid suggestions on how to keep your customers/clients from thinking you do sloppy work or provide a sloppy service because of sloppy writing on your web site or in your promotional materials.

So…give some thought and organization to your writing.  Organize yourself and write well when you’re corresponding with the business world, customers, and potential customers.

(Image: sxc.hu)

Post from: My Organized Biz