What is Relationship Marketing, and how do I do it? Relationship Marketing, is a facet of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) focusing on customer loyalty and long-term customer engagement rather than short-term goals like customer acquisition and individual sales. It is a management strategy designed to encourage strong and lasting connections to your brand, service or product. The goal is to turn your prospects into loyal customers who will then generate repeat sales, and encourage and give word-of-mouth promotions (referrals). Yes, the goal is create loyal, long-term referring customers! I say this with humility, as many of us should bring a bit of humility to our business, and let go of expectations. Be respectful of yourself and your customers/clients, referrals, and potential clients. Don't force people into "liking you." Value your message because you value yourself as the messenger. The value you place in yourself as the messenger is the confidence you need to take the necessary steps outlined in this book. You may be thinking, "I don't own my own business. I work for someone else." Well, then, this information is still for you. Even if you are "working in someone else's business", we better ourselves, our personal business/sales, when we live and believe we are working for ourselves. If you are a sales person, account representative, working on commission, etc ... know and understand this ... you are working for yourself. Your effort directly effects your result (income). You will get out of a relationship what you put into the relationship. When I started my web and graphic design business, back in 1994, my Dad told me, "Never mix business with personal and never mix business with religion". Back then, he was right, maybe. But now-a-days, that is not so. Now-a-days people are craving relationships. Maybe it has something to do with so many hiding behind the computer screen, their phones, etc. We need that extra something when it comes to human contact. People want to know who you are, they want to see the *real* you. We all struggle, at some point in our lives with a specific question, "Where do I fit in?" It is our relationships ... it is who we have relationships with ... that tells us exactly where we fit into this crazy world. Building a Relationship Relationships all start in the same place. Two strangers meeting and desire to get to know each other. Sometimes there are sparks in the beginning; sometimes the relationship requires time. Building a relationship requires 2 people to show and be who they are. Building a true relationship is about letting the authentic you shine through. Building a quality relationship requires your heart to lead you, the wall must come down. When our wall comes down, the other person in the relationship can and will feel comfortable letting their wall down as well. We are sharing a story and creating a new part of the story together. Isolation doesn't build anything but loneliness. So, the question is, how does the wall come "tumbling down"? One of the ways I let my heart and authentic "me" shine through is cards! I have always sent out cards, for everything. Think about a rose for a moment. The petals are all wrapped tightly in the beginning. Slowly, a petal opens. With each petal that opens a new picture is created. Something beautiful happens. All the petals are open; the rose is in full bloom. And, inside that bloom, we find the seeds. The seeds of life. Cards, for me, are the seeds of life. Sharing moments with my friends, my prospects, my clients are the petals slowly opening. Each card develops a deeper meaning ... until one day the picture is complete. Yes, I send cards to celebrate and share all occasions: Thank you for your business, nice to meet you, thank you for talking to me, birthday, Christmas, anniversary, etc. This is how I built a six-figure business, sitting at home, behind a computer, while nursing babies.
About the Author: Laurie Delk was raised to be a winner. Her parents, both successful entrepreneurial's in their own respects raised her w/the can-do attitude. No surprise after leaving her corporate accounting career at age 26, pregnant w/her 2nd child, she ventured out to be entrepreneurial herself. She went in the world of web/graphic design in 1994. Worked hard, managed to bring that business to a 6-figure income, while still working from home & caring for her 4 children. For a few years she volunteered at the Christian school her children attended, till she started homeschooling. Her husband had back surgery that *went bad*, he had to leave police work. Laurie had to get a full time job in to have insurance for her family, & take him to physical therapy daily. She found Send Out Cards, in 2004, and has rose through the ranks to the top 20, has served on the SendOutCards Eagles Nest & has promoted 4 times, currently ranking only 2 steps from the highest level possible. She enjoys spending time w/her family while she builds her incredible & lucrative business. One of the things she loves most about this business is that she can build it anywhere, at any time - her laptop & smartphone are her mobile office & allows her to work where she chooses. Her clients & team members has resulted in numerous awards over the last 12 yrs. Laurie is growing a rapidly expanding team, making a positive difference in the lives of thousands! Laurie knows how to walk through heartache & the importance of keeping a positive outlook. She lost her husband in Feb 2013 (while she was speaking at an out-of-town event). With her Mom & 2 youngest children, she had to drive the 5 hrs back home. Laurie lost their family dog of 13 yrs in Jun 2013, her gpa in Jul 2013, & lost her father in law in 2014. In 2015, her oldest daughter found out she had cancer & thankfully is cancer free now. Recently Laurie had another loss, her mother in March 2016. Laurie runs several non-profit support groups including one for copswives and one for widows. Laurie runs a local networking group (NashvilleNetworkingBusinessLuncheon.com) 8 years, people come from all over the country to her luncheons to hear the great speakers and connect w/others. Laurie speaks at many different events teaching on relationship building, being a homeschool mom, cop's wife, widow, business success, choosing happiness & forgiveness, how to "Smile, even through your tears", "We all have choices"... www.LaurieDelk.me