Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Thank the Losers

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photoYesterday in the mail I got a package from Darwin’s Pet Food company. Hank LOVES Darwin’s raw food, and it’s been amazing for his arthritis. So, this summer when I got an email about a photo contest for their website I sent over a couple of photos of the worlds greatest yellow dog. And yesterday we learned Hank did NOT make the cut, but they wanted to THANK us for submitting photos of Hank, and sent him a package of treats!

BRILLIANT. And here’s why:

1. They used their product- something that if Hank likes this treat, we’ll start adding it to our order

2. Loyalty- why would I leave a company that’s delivering product to my door and sends my dog free treats when he loses? SOLD

3. Who Thanks the losers? Almost no one. If you’re holding a contest make sure to thank the losers, and give them something for their time. A discount, free service, or a sample product. Thank them for their time and effort!

As you can tell, it’s made Hank’s day & mine!

No One Returns Voicemail

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imagesIs it true? Does anyone ever call you back when you leave a voicemail? No matter how compelling your voicemail is, I’d venture to guess they rarely get returned. And if they do, it’s because they need something from you and you have a relationship with them to buy something.
If someone leaves me a voicemail AND then sends me an email, I’m 95% more likely to respond to the email than call them back. It’s just the way I work. My voicemail is on my phone and once I listen to that message, if I’m not at my desk and at a place to return the call, it’ll be a week before I remember it’s sitting on my phone to return the call. My inbox has become my to do list – I have to make the decision to delete the email with or without a response. If I know you, or want your product or service, I’m more likely to respond. If you give me a good reason to reach out to you, I may just respond.
If you or your team members are calling on current, former or potential clients, make sure that you reach out to clients in the easiest way for THEM, not easiest way for YOU.
And feel free to ask your clients- do you prefer phone or email? Do you want one email with 10 questions or 10 emails with one question? Make it easy for customers to say yes, don’t make it easy for you to say it didn’t work.

Client Management and TV Finales

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imgresIn my pop culture filled world, the fall means season finales, season premiers and series premiers. I love this time of year from a pop culture perspective. My DVR is on overload and my evenings are prioritized by serial killers, super heroes and city council women.

The season finale of Dexter was almost two weeks ago now. I’m still not sold on it. I feel like Dexter got away with being a dead beat dad, and leaving his son in the hands of another serial killer. I’m glad he’s a logger in Oregon and alone, but really bummed he left his kid. My disappointment over the finale is like we can often be with clients. You want what’s best for them, but it’s their company, their show, and their decisions. Sometimes they aren’t going to agree with you, but you have to trust they’re making the best decision for their company (or character or TV show…). It’s not what I wanted, but it works for them.

Returning shows are just like current clients. I could not WAIT for the season premier of Parks & Recreation, my favorite TV show. And it didn’t disappoint! Always on top of it’s game and so FUN. Just like a great client. They show up, ready to do the work, and are on top of their side of the agreement. It makes it easy to work with them and I enjoy the work we do. Isn’t this what we all strive for in business?

Series Premiers? It’s just like that initial client meeting. You may have high hopes (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and it comes together quickly and seamlessly. That’s always great. Or you may be 15 minutes into the meeting and realize there’s no way they can afford you or are really ready to work with you, and really they just want free advice. Hello Michael J. Fox Show (the pilot was bad and I didn’t even make it half way through the second episode. So disappointed!) We’ve all been there, and it’ll happen again but hopefully in time we learn to spot those duds earlier and save our self the time and energy!

So there you have it folks, my feeble excuse to merge a review of TV premiers with client management lessons. What shows are you enjoying this fall? What clients are you excited to be working with or prospects do you REALLY want to work with this fall?