As a successful financial advisor who is looking to grow your business, what would you say if I told you that there is a secret marketing weapon that guarantees your success? Would you be interested in knowing more? How much would you be willing to pay for this information? Before you answer, let me tell you a little about it.
This secret weapon is amazingly powerful -- so powerful that, in the hands of the wrong person, it could cause chaos. Yet it's so easy to deploy, a child could do it. It's so easy to implement, that the vast majority of those who have learned about this secret weapon believe it cannot be viable. They mistakenly translate its simplicity to mean a lack of effectiveness.
This powerful, effective, easy-to-implement secret marketing weapon requires only three minutes of your time! Actually, once you get the system down, it should take significantly less time. Imagine that. In this day of overly sophisticated marketing, you can employ a sure-fire tactic in just a couple of minutes.
Let me tell you how this secret marketing weapon benefits you. First, it helps differentiate yourself from other financial advisors in the eyes' of your prospects. As you probably know, effectively differentiating yourself in a meaningful way is very difficult. But once you put this into action, you instantly stand out from the others, and your professionalism is immediately evident. You get all this from so little effort. Amazing!
Not only do you differentiate yourself from your competing financial advisors, but you also gain more exposure. This weapon is used so rarely, that those you target will most likely tell others about you. In fact, they may even leave it on display for everyone to see. Greater exposure means more potential clients.
Are you ready to learn what this remarkable secret marketing weapon is? Are you certain that once you know about it and the power it contains that you will implement it consistently? I ask because this is not for everyone. It is not for those who are not yet ready for a higher level of success. It is not for those who believe they can use it sparingly and still achieve its full potential. It is not for those who are prone to changing marketing tactics on a whim. No, it's just too powerful for those people.
Here's the secret
Okay, here it is. You just have to promise not to tell anyone. This secret marketing weapon is hand-written note cards. Shhh... quiet. I don't want anyone else to hear. Yes, hand-written note cards. You know, as in thank you cards, nice-to-have-met you cards, just-a-note-to-say-hello cards, and just-about-any-reason-you-can-think-of cards.
I know what you're thinking -- that's it? Hand-written note cards? This the marketing weapon that's so secret? This is what's going to propel me to a higher level of success? Yes! You see, it's this reaction that makes sending note cards so powerful. It's the fact that most people see them as passe. It's the fact that most people won't take the time to write them, put them in envelopes, seal them, stick stamps on them, and mail them. It's the fact that, nowadays, much of this is done electronically, if at all, so the note cards stand out. It's the fact that people enjoy receiving them.
It works for me
I have been sending hand-written note cards for years, and they have proven to be extremely effective. I can't begin to explain how much business they have generated. For example, after meeting with a prospect, I immediately write a note and drop it in the mail. I do the same after meeting with business associates. And it should no surprise that I send them out after meeting people for the first time. It's just so easy to do, and the results are immeasurable.
One of my favorite stories about sending note cards is the time I met with a prospect at her office. Things went well, but no conclusion about working together was reached. When I got to my car, I wrote a note, addressed the already-stamped envelope, and drove to the nearby post office. As my prospect was walking into her office the next morning, her mail arrived. In the stack of mail was my note card. She called thanked me for the card, saying she doesn't receive them very often. She also mentioned that she was impressed with the fact that she received it in less than a day. She has been a client ever since.
Don't take my word for it
Don't take my word for the power of note cards. Take those of Bob Burg, author of such bestsellers as Endless Referrals and The Go-Giver. Bob has been using note cards for years. They have proven to be so successful for him that, in many of his presentations, he suggests using them. In fact, he goes much further than merely suggesting them. He shows examples of cards he has received from some very well-known businesspeople.
Take the word of Susan RoAne, author of the bestseller How to Work a Room and other books. At the beginning of the year, I received a note card from her. She was simply wishing me "a terrific year." Did it take her long to write this? Probably not more than 30 seconds. Does that matter to me? Not at all. The fact that she was thoughtful enough to write to me and wish me well is all that matters.
How to implement this secret weapon
Let's move on to the practical use of note cards. You can get started today. All you have to do is go to the local card shop or order them on-line. You can choose from blank note cards or those that have specific intentions. For instance, there are thank-you cards, thank you for the referral cards, and others.
You may opt to have personal note cards created. If so, you have several options. Bob, for instance, uses are card that is slightly smaller than a #10 envelope. It includes his photo, an image of his books, and his contact information. After writing his message, he slips the card into an envelope and sends it off. Susan, on the other hand, uses a card that is about the same size, but it is designed to be used as a postcard. The front has her logo, return address, and area for the receiver's address. The back has her contact information, with the majority of this side used to write her message.
My note cards are a little different. They are more of a traditional note card, folded to 4.5 x 6.25 inches. Designers and printers refer to this as A-6 size. On the front, down toward the right-hand corner, is my logo. The rest of the front cover is blank. On the back cover are my photo, a few short testimonials, and my contact information. The cards are glossy on the outside and matte on the inside. This allows me to write notes inside without smudging the ink. As for envelopes, they are readily available at paper supply shops and on-line.
I carry at least six note cards and envelopes in my folio. This way, when I want to send one, I don't have to wait to get back to my office. I write it right then and there. I also put stamps on the envelopes ahead of time. This way I never miss an opportunity because I don't have stamps with me.
Now that you know about this effective, easy-to-implement secret marketing weapon, you have to decide whether you can commit to using it or not. If you do, use it liberally. Once you get used to systematically sending note cards, you will continue to discover many more opportunities where you can employ this tactic. Just be sure not to tell anyone. It's supposed to be a secret.
