By Stacy Karacostas

Wow! Another year has just flown by and New Year's is looming right around the corner.

If you're like more than 100 million other Americans, your thoughts are turning to New Year's resolutions.

Maybe you've decided you want to get in shape, spend more time with your family, quit smoking or achieve any number of self-improvement goals.

If so, terrific! But hopefully you are also thinking about ways to make 2006 your most successful year yet.

If so, then I've got the perfect New Year's resolution for you.

This year, even if you don't do any other marketing, commit to staying in touch with your past clients or customers!

Why? Because research has shown that it is seven times cheaper-and easier-to get repeat business from current and past customers than it is to attract new clients.

And luckily, there are a variety of economical ways to keep your name in front of your customers. Not sure how?

Here are a few easy-to-implement ideas to add to your arsenal...

If you already send holiday cards, that's a good start. If not, there's no time like the present.

You can also take the greeting card idea a step further by sending thank you cards after every purchase.

Birthday cards are also a great choice. Plus they add a nice, personal touch to your ongoing communications.

And if you have a strictly online business, one of the best things you can do to grow your business is to call every customer after they purchase. Few things increase customer confidence like knowing there is actually a real person behind your Website.

As long as we are on the subject of phone calls...Another easy way to stay at the top of your customer's mind is to simply pick up the phone. Call your best customers every three to six months just to check in and make sure they are still happy with your product or service.

If you like to read, then anytime you run across information that might be of interest to your customers, pass it on.

As long as you're not sending it to the whole world, you can simply photocopy an article and mail it out (just be sure to keep the author's name and the name of the publication visible).

Or, email a link to an online article or information resource. Offering useful information is always appreciated, and shows you've got their best interests in mind.

Speaking of sending out interesting information…

One of the best ways to stay in front of your customers-plus offer something of value and promote your products or services-is with a print or electronic newsletter.

Don't worry. Even if you don't like to write, you can still send out a quality publication.

How? Try asking other professionals you know and trust to write articles for you. Or just search for free content online (Google "free article banks" and you should find plenty of options suitable for just about any industry).

You can also hire a professional to write articles tailored specifically to you and your industry. In fact you can have your entire newsletter written, designed, and mailed out without you having to lift a finger.

And the best part is, a professional copywriter can pack your newsletter with valuable information and still manage to sell your products and services.

I write regular newsletters for a number of my clients, and they do wonders for increasing repeat business. Plus they are also a fantastic referral tool that often gets passed along.

Just remember in order for your newsletter to be effective, it needs to go out at least once a month-ideally even more often.

Which leads me to my final point...In order for any of this to truly be effective, you have to be consistent.

Sure, sending out a holiday card each year is better than nothing. But once you start "touching" your clients at least once a month-if not once a week-then you'll really start seeing results.

So pick one or two (or three) of these ideas, make a plan and create a to-do list. Then be sure to aside time each week to get it done. Before you know it, you'll be flooded with referrals and repeat business.

©2002-2006 Success Stream. All Rights Reserved. www.success-stream.com

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