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February 23, 2016

Client Touch Points: A Proper List

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — PDWriter @ 9:55 am

client touch points

“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person,” Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once said. “You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”  

Any time a potential lead or current client engages with your brand, they are interacting with one of your company’s touch points. Whether a customer is visiting your website or receiving an e-newsletter, any engagement a person has with your business is considered a client touch point. Communicating your brand messaging through client touch points is a large, challenging endeavor that pays off enormously though when executed thoughtfully and creatively.

E-mails

Weekly updates, monthly newsletters, and personalized check-ins are just a few ways a business can transform e-mail into a useful client touch point. With the widespread adoption of smartphones, people are connected to email 24/7, which means you have all day, every day to harness the possibilities of this client touch point.

Direct Mail

Have you noticed that your snail mail inbox always has communications from businesses waiting for you? That’s because direct mail is an effective way to reach out to customers. It might seem like a dated client touch point, but direct mail still gets the job done and drives business your way.

Just think of all those Bed, Bath, and Beyond direct mail coupons you have stashed away in a drawer somewhere. 

Note Cards

There are few communication options that say as much as a handwritten note card. Maybe you’re expressing gratitude or offering congratulations, but whatever you jot down on a company branded note card will speak volumes to the level of service your business provides. It’s a quick, simple gesture that is an effective use of this client touch point.

Social Media

A real-time strategy for brand communication, social media is a client touch point that spans numerous channels, from Facebook to Instagram. There are so many methods for utilizing these digital client touch points and, the opportunities for engagement, lead generation, and sales are innumerable. While social media might seem like a way young people waste their time, it’s a crucial client touch point that brands should not ignore.

Website

Your company’s website serves not only as a hub for everything about your brand, but as a crucial client touch point. A client will visit your website for any number of reasons, from seeking help to researching services, so it’s instrumental to make this portal user-friendly, attractively designed, and built to meet a client’s every needs.

Webinars

Webinars are unique in that they offer a client a way to directly interact without leaving their office. Putting on a Webinar or other meeting can be a great way to reach those customers in a light and helpful way.

Support Services

It should never be challenging for your client to receive an answer to a question or complete an order. Support services available via phone, email, chat client, even Twitter are one of the most necessary client touch points your brand can implement. You never want a lead or customer to feel as though your business isn’t supporting their needs.

Physical Location

The brick-and-mortar location of your business is an often overlooked client touch point but whether you’re in an office or a store, your space represents your brand. Imagine what Google’s clients see when they visit their offices in California. Design your physical client touch point as the geographical spot that represents your company.

Meetups

Meetups could include networking events, a lunch and learn, or a sponsored happy hour. Meeting in a casual way can help you get your foot in the door before seriously pitching your product or service.

Transactional Correspondence

How do you communicate with a customer prior to, during, and following a purchase with your business? From messaging on order confirmations to shopping cart item reminders, transactional correspondence is an active method for businesses to meet their clients’ needs. These are ideal places to also include additional product and/or service recommendations to increase your sales.

Call Centers

In an age where most people seem to communicate via email, text message, or social media messenger, many clients still want a phone number to call whenever a question, concern, or suggestion is required. Making a call to a help center offers more instantaneous satisfaction than waiting for a response to an email. A phone call is a client touch point that people can use for immediate gratification. There’s a reason you dial 911 when there’s an emergency instead of sending a text.

Printed Marketing Materials

Yes, we live in a digital world but physical takeaways, such as catalogs or brochures, are an invaluable client touch point. Highlighting products and services, both the new and standard ones, in print format puts your brand literally in the hands of decision makers.

February 16, 2016

How to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day [March 4th!]

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 10:03 am

many thanks

They are the backbone of your business and work together to reach company goals day in and day out. So on Friday, March 4, celebrate your employees. Each year employers across the country take time out of the first Friday in March to honor a job well done on National Employee Appreciation Day.

Relax the Schedule

Start the day off right by allowing employees to come in late, or leave a little early — their choice. This relaxed schedule will allow them to have a leisurely breakfast, or a little personal time before picking up the kids and heading home for the day. And since the celebration is on a Friday, consider a casual work day dress code complete with jeans and T-shirts.

Share a Lunch

At mid-day, treat the staff to a celebratory lunch. If you’re a small company with a handful of employees, book a table at a favorite restaurant. For larger businesses, have a buffet lunch catered to the office. Before the meal, say a few words about the day and remind everyone of the ways they strengthen the company’s progress, brand and morale. Feel free to share some company growth numbers and feedback from customers.

Write Personal Notes

Estate Embossed NoteCards

 

Ask supervisors to take a little time to write personalized notes to each person in their department. These hand-written note cards should highlight individual assets of each person and how they make a positive impact on the company. The sentiments can reflect a specific project or be more encompassing of the employee’s overall performance.

Let Everyone Know

Spread the word about how cool your company is by sharing your activities on social media, especially if you’re recruiting and expanding your workforce. Include a group photo of everyone acting silly, candids of the luncheon and an overview shot of decorations or gifts for the employees. Let customers and fans know you treat your staff well.

Honor Each Person

Everyone loves a little gift. Nothing says thank you like a small monetary bonus tacked on to the Friday pay stub, a goodie basket filled with snacks and wine or a gift card to the local coffee shop. Present these tokens of appreciation at the end of the day as a concluding way to celebrate National Employee Appreciation Day.

Are you ready to make plans for your office? Get started by browsing customizable certificates and note cards at Paper Direct.

February 12, 2016

Certificate of Completion Wording

completion wording

Whether your students successfully finished your dog grooming course or your employees completed a four-day team-building seminar, certificates of completion can put the crowning glory on their achievements. However, what you write on the certificate can mean the difference between one that gets hung on the wall and one that ends up tucked in the back of three-ring binder.

Basic Info Required

Most certificates of completion include the following basic information:

  • Name of person receiving certificate
  • Name of institution or facility providing the certificate
  • Course, training, seminar, or other event or activity the person completed in order to be eligible for the certificate
  • Official signature and date

While you can certainly decide to include only those details on the certificate, it could make for a rather boring document. Jazzing up your certificate of completion wording can convey the excitement of the training, the power of the achievement, and add a bit of flair to the mix.

Cream and Blue Certificate of Completion

Straightforward Certification of Completion Wording

Keeping it simple is the easiest way to go, with wording such as:

  • This Certificate of Completion is awarded to (name) for the outstanding completion of (course) at (facility)
  • Certificate of Completion: This is to certify (name) has successfully completed (facility’s) (course)

Elaborate Certification of Completion Wording

If straightforward is too dry for your taste, feel free to flower it up a bit with more elaborate prose:

  • This honorable Certificate of Completion is hereby bestowed upon (name) for the exceptional performance that led to the successful completion of (facility’s) (course)
  • (Facility) proudly presents this Certificate of Completion to (name) for the dedication and hard work that resulted in the successful culmination of (course)
  • The faculty at (facility) are honored to present (name) with the official certification for completing (course). Your achievement will be remembered and your participation cherished.
White and Red Certificate of Completion

Humorous Certificate of Completion Wording

Those who dare to add even more flair to certificates can do so with humor:

  • Who Knew? Despite doubts, groans and arriving late on a regular basis, (name) gets this official Certificate of Completion for (course) at (facility). Whew, that was a close one!
  • You Did It! Way to go, (name)! This Certificate of Completion is yours, all yours, for your brilliant completion of (course) at (facility). Go home and hang it on the wall, will ya?
  • Way to Go! (Facility) is thrilled to present (name) with this super-cool Certificate of Completion. Now that you’ve successfully finished (course), you can finally go out and party!

Aside from the basic information that indicates who is receiving the certificate and why, the playing field is wide open for any certificate of completion wording you like. Please feel free to mix, match, add, and subtract from any of the examples above with the main goal of getting the certificate on the wall instead of filed away. If you want to find the perfect template for your certificate of completion, browse hundreds of options on PaperDirect today! Take special of our certificate papers with a “Certificate of Completion” or “Certificate of Training” header already printed on it!

February 9, 2016

5 Ways Completion Certificates Impact Classes & Seminars

Filed under: How to Design Certificates — PDWriter @ 10:08 am

course completion certificate 1

There are a variety of reasons a small business might offer a class or seminar to the public, such as: increasing awareness, establishing expertise, building a client list. However, offering a class or seminar without including a completion certificate is an effort wasted. Yes, it might seem like a small detail that shouldn’t really matter but you would be surprised at how impactful it can be. Discover how completion certificates impact the success of any classes or seminars offered by your company.

Selling Point

Your small business is offering a seminar to the general public. People have a ton of options for how they can spend their free time, and while your seminar might be informative and useful, you need something extra to entice individuals to register. Including in the promotion of your seminar that participants receive a completion certificate at the end is a powerful selling point that will impact how many people sign up.

Goal

A person taking the time out of their schedule to participate in a class are attempting to accomplish something. A completion certificate is a goal people can work towards in your class. When there’s a clear objective, people can focus on achieving it. Establishing a goal of earning a completion certificate impacts how students approach and engage with your class. The more people are asking questions and starting discussions, the more interested they are in whatever information you are passing along to them.

Takeaway

No one wants to walk away from something empty-handed. Sure after attending a seminar, a person leaves with increased knowledge but humans need a tangible takeaway, such as a completion certification. Attendees finish your seminar and receive their completion certificate feeling proud and accomplished, impacting how they perceive your company. Don’t you want customers associating your business with positive feelings?

Resume Booster

Your company might offer a class that enhances a person’s professional skills. Therefore, a completion certificate is something people might include on their resumes. Offering a class as a professional growth opportunity impacts the type of individuals who enroll. You’ll find more serious, focused, and engaged people sign up. This translates into stronger leads generated for your business from class attendees.

Marketing Opportunity

You never know where one of your completion certificates might end up. Maybe a person hangs it on their refrigerator and the next time they host a party, people notice the completion certificate, see your company’s name, and get in touch with you about other learning opportunities or perhaps a product or service your business offers. A completion certificate gets your brand name out there without paying for promotion, marketing or advertising. This impacts future enrollment in your seminars and classes, not to mention, the potential for new customers for your company.

February 5, 2016

Why You Should Pass Out Certificates of Completion

Filed under: How to Design Certificates — PDWriter @ 10:53 am

certificate of training

Each and every day, small business owners are lending their expertise to every imaginable field and specialty. From dog trainers to craft specialists, courses can be an integral part to developing your business. As your clients complete your courses, however, you may be wondering how best to handle their graduation. After all, it’s just as important for your client to feel that their money has been well spent as it is for you to use the opportunity to grow your business.

Thankfully, both of these goals can be accomplished with one tactical maneuver: hand out a certificate of completion. Keep on reading to find out how these simple tools can do impressive things for your small business.

Lend An Air Of Legitimacy To Your Program

You may be the best there is in your field, but your customers will still be slightly skeptical if you don’t have some token for them to show off at the end of your classes or courses. It may sound a little silly, but a certificate of completion can elevate the legitimacy of your business to new heights. After all, if you’re compelling your students to proudly proclaim their completion, then your course must have some level of relevance, right?

Drive Home the Sense of Accomplishment

It’s a shame, but the positive impact of learning can be kind of short-lived in even the most avid student. Here’s where a certificate of completion comes in: when your students have something tangible to hold in their hands at the end of your class, they’ll have a consistent reminder of their accomplishments. This, in turn, will not only help them derive prolonged satisfaction from the class, it’ll keep you (and the help you provided) in mind when your former client or student is looking to continue their education.

Keep Something For Your Records

Once your students complete your course, a certificate of completion is a great way for them to have a physical reminder of their completion. That much is plainly obvious. However, if you’re the type of small business owner who has a variety of courses or classes on offer, then a certificate of completion can be helpful for you, as well. Simply make two copies of any certificate you hand out, keep the second on file, and you’ll have a quick and easy reminder when your client comes knocking again. If you’re able to produce said certificate of completion upon your client’s return, it’ll show an avid personal interest, a benefit you can never put a price on.

Generate New Customers

You’d be surprised how willing people are to show off a little bit when they’ve completed something. Even if that means simply putting your certificate of completion up on the fridge for a bit, your certificate will be in front of your client’s face (and at the forefront of their minds) for weeks to come. You’d be surprised how often this kind of unconscious presence can lead to your clients’ discussing the course with friends or family, a happy tale that may lead to more business for you in the future.

You might not think about real, printed certificates of completion as something viable for your classes, but the benefits of the technique are undeniably worth the minimal cost. If you’re the kind of business owner who routinely hands out knowledge, then certificates of completion are simply invaluable!

February 2, 2016

Course Completion Certificates – 5 Unique Designs

Filed under: How to Design Certificates — PDWriter @ 11:17 am

Course Completion Certificates

Course completion certificates are important for a number of reasons. They legitimize your class, provide you with a fun ceremony towards the end of your course, and can send some referrals back to your business. Plus, course takers like them! It gives them a tangible thing that congratulates them for completing something they had to work for.

Wow. All of those awesome benefits for a simple certificate? Yes. That’s the beauty of these inexpensive pieces of paper. Here are 5 simple designs you can use:

Delicate Certificate

course completion certificate 1

This one is perfect for an art or teachers class. This comes in black, blue and gold.

Brighton Foil Certificate

course completion certificate 2

This one has foil which is super #luxe. You can get a number of blank certificates which allows you to be creative, include your logo and address, and more.

Certificate of Training – Orleans

certificate of training

This certificate also comes in dark colors blue and hunter green.

Star & Dots Certificate

fun course completion certificate

We have a number of fun and casual certificates which would be perfect for kid’s camps, painting classes, or patriotic businesses.

The Classic

classic completion certificate

If you’re looking for a classic design that comes in a variety of colors, this option might be best for you. It currently comes in ten colors and is desktop printable which means all you have to do is order it, download a premade template into Word, fill it out with your own words of congratulations and put them through the printer.

With many of our completion certificates starting at .25 cents per, it’s an easy way to hand these out at the end of your course. So order today, print at home/business, and start handing these out. Your students will appreciate it.

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