Here in the US, we’re about a week away from Thanksgiving. Have you mentally checked out of work or are you preparing for the biggest time of giving in the calendar year?
Before you put your work on hold, consider implementing this tip from Jeffrey Fox’s book How to be a Rainmaker. (It’s the reason I got it in the first place. A colleague on a CharityChannel.com listserv raved about this list. She said whenever business was slow, she returned to this list and business always picked up.)
Here are the 10 things Fox recommends:
- Send a handwritten note.
- Clip and send an article of interest.
- Talk to a satisfied client and ask who else you might help.
- Send a thank-you gift to someone who referred you.
- Give your business card to someone with influence.
- Send a letter to the editor of a magazine your customers read.
- Add fifteen people to your mailing list.
- Leave a compelling voicemail.
- Make an appointment.
- Call a client you haven’t talked to in two years.
Isn’t this a great list?
Choose today which one you’ll do to help your organization raise more money. Now, commit to doing it before the end of the week.
Then have a great Thanksgiving!Â
Marc,
I’ve read a couple of Jeffrey Fox’ books, How to be a
Marketing Superstar, and How to Make Big Money in
Your Own Small Business (I originally thought it was
How to Become a Rainmaker) and I like his books.
The top ten list reminded me of a time when I heard
that the parent of a former student at my center just
had a baby. So, I sent her a card congratulating her
on their new addition.
A few months later, she brought her son back for chess
lessons as well as put him into my after care program.
Her son doesn’t come anymore because he is busy
with sports. However, his younger brother comes for
chess lessons as well as after care.
This showed me that a little thoughtfulness goes a
long way. What I try to do now is send birthday
cards to current and former students. I put their
birthdays into Outlook the first time they sign
up and every year it reminds me a week in advance
which birthdays are coming up so I can send them cards.