VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Kim Fuller · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:13 pm Post subject: Thank-you card etiquette

I'm assembling a list of past clients in an Excel sheet with contact info and, since we haven't got a thank-you card with Ulf's logo yet - just going to buy some nice, simple ones from the store, write a short note of appreciation and send it off.

I'm thinking of including his business card with the card, only because it has his photo and logo - but we don't want it to read as "pushy" in any way - just as a thank you. Think I should avoid the card?

kim

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject:

I always drop my business card in with the thank-you card. I write a nice note on the thank you card and then use a small piece of double-sided tape to put my business card on the inside of the thank-you card. It looks like it was custom-made for it. I've not only never gotten a negative comment about it, to the contrary I've had a number of clients thank me for the nice gesture.
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Kim Fuller · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:51 pm Post subject:

Okay, that's good enough for me Smile

Actually, Scott, now you know we were paying attention - the thank-you card is one of the things we remembered you recommending last year when we listened to your webinar.

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject:

Man, I would avoid the card. A thank-you is a thank-you. When you include a card, you're fishing for work and that makes the "thank-you" a promo.

I advise against it.
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Frank F · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:14 pm Post subject:

+1 for DB's comment.

I always suggest making a thank you card personal with a hand written note rather than a pre-printed one; and a "wet" signature.

Frank F
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Kim Fuller · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject:

Okay - interesting variety of opinions on this! Thanks.

jsgilbert · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:11 pm Post subject:

As the "someone" who has gotten quite a few people work over the years, if you put any marketing material in with a thank you note or card, even a business card, I am "displeased". Not to the point where I would comment, but to the point where I feel the Thank You was simply not genuine.

Of course, I often wonder when I read posts from individuals who send out thank you cards and gifts and realize that while I was one of those people who might have been instrumental (including over and above the fact) in them getting work, I somehow never got any of those cards or gifts (or any other real consideration).

We are not always as smart or clever as we think we are.

Trying to be "top of mind" with clients is a very tricky thing.

I recently produced a demo for FREE for a voice actor I really didn't know. He was going through a divorce, etc. and low on funds. I did get an email thanking me, which also asked if I could change the order around, and send him the separate dry takes. And then he called a few weeks after that asking about a referral to an agent.

Given the circumstances, I think an offer to take me to lunch, or a few cookies, perhaps might have been in order.

Unfortunately, he is "top of mind" in the very wrongest of ways.
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:38 pm Post subject:

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, folks.

My thank you notes never mention anything about more work other than perhaps "hope we'll be working together again soon!" I thank them for the work, tell them what a pleasure it was to work with them and then usually that tag line hoping we'll be working together again soon. They can choose to do what they want with my business card. I'm betting 99% of them put it in their card file so they can easily find me next time they want to work with me.

Sometimes I believe we overthink things just a bit.
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Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

Leslie Humble · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject:

I am a big believer in thank you cards. Ask yourself this question: What would impress me more, somebody whipping off a quick e mail thanking me....or someone taking the time to buy a card, stamp it, mail it, and ALWAYS, as Frank said, put a handwritten comment inside the card. Also my thought is to NEVER put a business card inside. It is then not a true thank you. It is a self serving grab for more business. I do not think it is a bad thing to send a business card. Not at all. I think it is a good thing. But not in a thank you card or it is not a thank you card any longer. Why dilute the good will gained after all that effort?
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Yonie · CM Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 906

Personal take:

They are written to express gratitude for past generosity. They know who it comes from. I write with my terrible and trembling hand, making it legible and putting down what comes from the heart. Always good, of course. It is a thank-you card.

asnively · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

I vote for no business cards, and I prefer/recommend a standard thank you card--not one with your logo/brand on the cover.

If you're concerned that the person might not know who you are or may not have your contact info, order some custom return address labels with your logo, name, address, and URL. (I'd stick this on the back of the envelope and have only handwriting on the front.) You could stick this label unobtrusively on the back of the card (near the Hallmark logo) if you must.

Send a promotional mailing or a thank you card, but I vote for not combining them. This goes double for holiday cards. (And while we're here, never attach your promotional materials to Halloween treats and spam the neighbors via their children! Yes, people really do that.)
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Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:56 pm Post subject:

Thank you is spontaneous, natural and polite. If you mean to simply say thank to someone who has given you work recently then a nice greeting card is great.

If you are going over spreadsheet and compiling a list then it is not really a thank you and will seen by clients as just another marketing push.

Clients are wise to newsletters(news-less) and to other new media marketing sh*te. Set yourself apart in order to come out from among them and be he separate.

Let not your business be a mish mash let it be Amish.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:24 am Post subject:

Another no on the business card.

Ask yourself this: Would you stick a business card in a bereavement note to a client?
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:59 am Post subject:

I am able to name those who would.

Additional note - no it is not ok to text during the eulogy.
N.B People from LA put the pens down there is NO list of circumstances when it would probably be ok.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:49 am Post subject: