Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Send 2 Business Cards

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imagesThe other day a client sent me a check (always a good thing) and included 2 business cards. I didn’t ask for cards or really need them, BUT it reminded me, why don’t we send out our business card more consistently? This client has a service based business and the business card also has a $25 off coupon, so I’m more likely to use it myself and share it.

Sure I may have all your info, but it doesn’t mean I won’t need a copy of your card to give someone else. Especially if you have a business with a product that I use, make sure I have your card. I’ve talked about this before with my husband’s headphones. Make it easy for me to refer to you. And as it’s appropriate, make sure your products are branded. A friend of mine is an AMAZING pastry chef, so I sent some of her treats to a couple of clients over the holiday’s. I didn’t realize my clients would think I was the amazing baker, and realized I should have had her include a card with the goodies so they knew it wasn’t me!

If you have business cards, especially with a discount on them, make sure that the people who know, like & trust you, have a couple on hand to pass it forward. It can only help your business grow!

Growing Your Business With a Dog Walk

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IMG_5136Every morning, I get up, drink my coffee, check my email and catch up on social media. Then I get dressed and Hank and I take a 25 minute walk through the neighborhood. It’s my favorite part of the day. Not because we get our wiggles out so we can be productive for the day, but it’s the time of the day without interruption. Before the chaos of my inbox and meetings and clients gets going, I get to think.
I usually spend this time working on a problem. I might have a client project that I need to mull over. I may have a crazy day and need to think through the logistics of getting it all done. I may need to get out all the snarky comments so I can send a professional and appropriate email response when I return. Sometimes it’s personal, sometimes it’s business, sometimes it’s a client, sometimes it’s my company.
When Hank and I get back from our walk, we’re both ready to go for the day. He’ll calm down and sleep all day (and hopefully not snore) and I have my action plan ready to go. It’s the most valuable time of the day, and has led to great inspiration! And when I need to throw something? Duh- off to the dog park we go!

What do you do for your “processing” time?

Which of you 3 is my contact?

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imgresI’m in the very preliminary car shopping phase. Still figuring out what my next car will be. I know what I want, but let’s be honest, the Tesla X is not realistic for this entrepreneur’s budget. So, I’m checking out some cars. The other night I was playing online and submited info to get a price quote and begin the question asking phase. I got 2 emails back to back from the dealership. From 2 different people, Erin & Christine. AND the email  from Erin was signed by Danny.

I appreciate you have setup automated the follow up process, which I FULLY support. If done well. But if I’m going to give you a lot of my money for a car, then I’d like to have ONE point of contact who can actually sell me a car and answer my questions. I don’t want 3 different “internet managers”. What does that even mean? Do you manage sales only through the internet? If I come into the dealership are you my contact? Or are you in charge of the online presence for your company?

I emailed Christine and asked WHO I should be talking to since I seem to have 3 options here.  It’s been a week and no response…

This isn’t the first time that a company I contact has had multiple personality disorder. Make sure you are make contacting your company easy for the CUSTOMER, not for you. But overwhelming and confusing people you lose business.