In fact, I know of only one.

Zappos. They sell shoes… exclusively online. They did $1 billion in sales last year.

Zappos is famous for their unique approach to hiring employees.

All new hires are put through a six week training program – it’s very thorough, but it’s not unique.

Then, after about a week or so, Zappos makes The Offer.

New hires are told, “If you quit today, we’ll pay you for the time you’ve worked, PLUS give you a $2,000 bonus.”

Why???

Because if you’re willing to take the company up on The Offer, you obviously don’t have the sense of commitment they’re looking for.

They want only motivated, highly enthusiastic ‘true believers’ in the Zappos company culture.

It’s this kind of employee that becomes the heart and soul of the ultimate customer experience.

Here’s the BIG marketing lesson:

It doesn’t matter if you’re a one-man band or have a few dozen employees. Your customers can SENSE your level of commitment to them.

They can smell inattention and boredom like a Rottweiler can smell fear.

The problem is most businesses today are competing on low prices; customer service has fallen by the wayside.

Smart companies are ramping up their customer service levels to all-time highs.

Clever entrepreneurs are also adding a monthly client newsletter into the mix.

They understand customer newsletters are a vital part of the formula to get and keep clients for life.

Exceptional Living is the king of customer newsletters. Click here and I’ll mail you three samples today.

Taking action just feel right.

- David Gruttadaurio
“The Print Newsletter Expert”

Copyright 2010

This post is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this email is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of David Gruttadaurio

Both relationships require a bunch of effort to be successful.

Both also need good communication skills.

When a customer relationship is cultivated, it grows stronger. Just like a real romance, it can last a lifetime.

Most entrepreneurs don’t bother with this. They think it’s a waste of time and money. So, they’re constantly prowling around for new customers.

That’s a really, really dumb thing to do.

Here’s why…

When you ignore your clients, they tend to ignore you.  And if your clients feel that you’ve forgotten about them, they WILL forget you.

BTW: Every business needs new clients – just not at the expense of overlooking your existing customers.

Did you know it costs 6 times more to get a new prospect to buy your stuff than it does a current client?

What does this tell you?

When a client relationship is ‘romanced’, it continues to be productive, long-lasting and (most importantly) very profitable. Yep… even in a recession.

Marketing relentlessly to them isn’t a business cost – it’s an investment.

Look at your return on investment ROI). NEVER look at just the ‘cost’.

For example, would you spend $1000 to make $10,000?

A 10-to-1 ROI? It’s a no-brainer.

That’s how you should look at relationship marketing – as a smart investment.

A customer newsletter – or a patient newsletter – has the marketing magic to easily accomplish this for you.

Try Exceptional Living for free – the first month is on me.

Your clients will ADORE you for it.

Taking action just feel right.

- David Gruttadaurio
“The Print Newsletter Expert”

PS: Wanna get touchy, feely with Exceptional Living? Click here and I’ll send you three free issues to check out.

I realize you’re serious as a heart attack about your business.

So you probably have a list of things to get done this year. Entrepreneurial NYR’s, as it were.

Here’s the bad news: 94 % of your fellow marketers won’t follow through.

It’s not their fault. They get busy with life again. They go back to their old habits. You know the drill.

The good news is I’m betting YOU have nailed the 6% Success Solution.

Tony Robbins’ put it this way, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”

This way Einstein’s take on the 6% Solution: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

The point?

Implementation, my friend. The only way to be part of that 6% is to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and make it happen.

The bottom line in business is the bottom line… PROFIT.

The best way to get there is with increased sales. The best way to do THAT is to develop your relationship with the top 20% of your clients.

Market the hell out them. Really. At Done For You Printing, we call it relentless marketing.

Throw in a killer monthly newsletter and you become a marketing god… with all of the riches and trappings that go with it.

Here’s to making it happen,

- David Gruttadaurio
“The Print Newsletter Expert”

It’s an expression that means: Be Aggressive – Take Action!

Entrepreneurs have always been a rare breed. You’re used to working without a net. Willing to take the risks others cannot tolerate. All for the glory; to win the huge reward you deserve and have earned.

Many businesses have already started to thrive. They have set up or know how to fight in environments such as these.

So… sitting back, biting your nails, clutching what you have left won’t get you through it.

Do you have the guts – not just to survive – but to THRIVE in 2010?

Four ways to take your marketing to the edge…

1. 100% Guarantee – Big, Bold, Brash. And shout it from the house tops. Whatever you sell, make it a no-brainer for you to be the only one people call.

2. Phenomenal Customer Service – MAKE people talk about you. Create more than a transaction. Turn it into a buying EXPERIENCE. Deliver so much WOW, they have to think of you when they hear your product or service mentioned.

3. Newsletter Marketing – Because no one else does it, that’s why. Even if it’s a two page  client newsletter you send ‘em that you made in Publisher. Just two things: Use color and make it FUN and interesting to read. OK… three things: For God’s sake, be sure to include an offer just for your customers.

4. Constant Client Contact – Market the hell out of your customers. Contact them at least every ten days. Yep, that’s the number 10. Even if one contact is just a great, healthy recipe – keep your name flashing in front of them like a neon sign. Could be by mail, phone, email, fax… whatever.

Does this intrude into your comfort zone?

Good.

Are these things you’ve never done before?

Even better.

Then your customers will REALLY notice you’re different… better… memorable.

And hey, they might just call you a lot more often for your product or services if you do this.

No guts, no glory my friend.

Taking action just feels right,

- David Gruttadaurio
“The Print Newsletter Expert”

PS: We just loaded the January issue of Exceptional Living on to WebtoPrintIQ.com. Take a gander here.