Don’t you just love the feeling of reading a birthday card, or better, ripping open a nice present from a friend? I love when people remember my birthday and make sure to call me or send me a message wishing me a great day.
Would you believe that that something as little as remembering someone’s birthday can go a long way when it comes to growing your business and extending your network?
Ever since reading The Anatomy of Buzz
For the past few years I have been carrying around a small green notebook with me wherever I go and taking down the names of people I meet at various events, gatherings, and social meetings.
I’ve also, most recently, started a new method of taking notes of each person on their businesses cards that I receive. I have a few business card books to store all my contacts along with the date I met them, where I met them, their interests, and their birthdays when I find that out.
I’m still so surprised why so many companies neglect to send out birthday cards or even birthday emails to their customers. Companies know when we were born from the registration forms we use to signup to their services. Anyone have any ideas as to why many companies don’t make such gestures?
We young and hungry entrepreneurs should try and be aware of all of our clients’ birthdays and reach out to them with a card once a year. And not just your customers, everyone you meet.
We all have 100x more acquaintances than friends, so imagine what would happen when you started sending those acquaintances birthday cards… you’d form stronger bonds with the people in your network. And who knows, some of those acquaintances could be diamonds in the rough who can help your business, introduce you to other people, and become solid resources for anything you wish to accomplish.
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Your post reminds me of Dale Carnegie. He explained in How to Win Friends and Influence People that every time he met someone, he would make it his goal to learn his or her birthday. Then, for years down the road, he would send them a hand-written note with his warm birthday wishes on that date.
It’s not hard to imagine how that thoughtfulness – coupled with a 39-cent stamp – could go a long way today.
Such a small price to pay for long lasting connections, so true. Actually, I read that book from Dale Carnegie — great book!
it’s nice to receive a notice from companies and people on birthdays: sure, makes you feel valued and warm.
i’ve received a some emails on my birthday from companies.
nice gesture: sure.
does that change my original opinion about that company when i receive such a notice: no.
i guess for me, being a business person, i know there’s an angle behind every move – so i just ignore it.
but for the “normal” people…lol, it’s amazing the profound effect it has when companies send them a little mailer notice of their birthdays – along with some discount coupon to buy their stuff, lol
they’re ecstatic!
You’re right, the effect is profound. BTW, my bday is 12.26.83 — hint, hint
lol…i’m also a sagittarius.
we’re(sagittariians) are the so-called weird ones.
the more likables are arguably the spring and summer signs.