Yes it’s that time of year when lovers go all dewy eyed over each other and bunches of roses are marked up 150% in price. You might be thinking of lavishing attention on your better half in order to earn some extra brownie points and keep your relationship sizzling but why stop at just your better half? What about your clients?

Now we’re not suggesting that you turn up at their work naked but for a single rose clenched between your teeth – although that would be memorable! No, what we have in mind is something to put a smile on their face and your business in their heads.

Get Up Close and Personal
Have you ever had that lovely experience when you walk into a shop or bar and staff remember your name? Not only that, but they remember what you bought last and even the conversation you had with them? It’s a pleasant experience isn’t it? One which makes you feel special, valued and appreciated and which ensures that you visit the same establishment again. That’s exactly the kind of service you want to be giving to your clients.

Now we realise that to remember the details of each individual client might be going a bit far, but you don’t have to take such extraordinary lengths to make clients feel special. You just have to get a little personal and show that you do care about them and value their custom.

So how can you achieve this? Well in this age of technology the answer is pretty straightforward – personalised data.

Show That You Care
An automatically generated email or non-descript leaflet shoved through the door is not the way to reach out to your client, in fact that’s probably the best way to lose their custom. We’ve all pretty much had enough of spam tactics, which is why you need to make appropriate contact in order to show that you care.

Most companies have a detailed picture of their clients which includes their name, line of business, address, buying habits and so on. All of this information can be used to make contact more personal and appropriate. We’re not just talking about those cards with their name written in sand on the front cover, anyone can do that, no we’re thinking much more creatively!

For example, for a pre-event brochure we did recently, we marketed to clients using their personal names, company name, their service or product and their location within the actual body of the text so it appeared that we’d done the brochure just for them. It was a hit with everyone and provided a talking point all day.

Obviously the more information you have on your clients the better the result, so instead of talking to a generic customer you are talking directly to them. Now that should get their attention!

Quality Matters
What would happen if you took the one you loved out for a meal to a restaurant? You’d think they’d be pleased right? But what if that restaurant is McDonald’s, (yes, it really is listed as a restaurant) would they still be as pleased?

You see, it’s not just the thought that counts, quality counts too. If you send your customers brochures, cards or leaflets that are of an inferior quality then that gives them a good indication of just how much you think of them. Surely it’s worth spending a little more money if it gets you a better result? A McDonald’s meal deal might be cheaper but it’s not so great if you end up eating it alone.

Now we don’t know about other print companies but here at SM1 our digital print comes at no extra cost. We also use only the highest quality of materials in a range of finishes such as die cutting, stitching, binding, embossing, laminating, etc so you can make a real impression and stand out from the rest.

Go on, it is Valentine’s Day after all. Treat your clients right now by making them feel special and you’ll reap the rewards later on.