Brilliant Ideas from Google, Pamela Slim,and Maybe You

I was struck today by two ideas that harness the power of recognizing your clients/customers.  And it's not a holiday card with a thank you, which works, but isn't very exciting.

Last August, I took a four-day workshop with Pamela Slim and Charley Gilkey for creative entrepreneurs.  This morning, Pamela invited me, along with other clients, to submit a sentence about one thing that I'm proud to have launched this year.  She'll add this to a blog post that is a collage of proudest accomplishments from a whole lot of people who have worked with her over the course of a year. Many of these sentences end up being a mini-story, as in this sentence from last year's blog post:

"Abigail Keyes quit her full-time job with the Federal Government and became a successful full-time bellydancer, www.asharah.com"

Don't you just love it?

Pamela is a master at finding a win-win-win.  Clients get the visibility on something they've worked hard on.  Readers get inspired by what fabulous things people are not just talking about, but doing. (Notice it's about having launched something, whether it's a new career or a product.)  And we all love Pamela a little bit more for who she is and what she does--a generous, kindred spirit who helps cool people do cool stuff in the world.

The other example of putting your customers front and center comes from Google.  I've experimented with using Google AdWords to sell my recordings of the Networking Naturally Program at my site, www.naturalway2network.com. An email arrived this morning with the subject line: "A video thank you from Google."  The video goes beyond the normal YouTube humor to add in personalization, and a bit of surprise to connect with customers.  I won't give it away, but watch it for yourself to see what I mean.

And finally, brilliant ideas come from everywhere.  Civic Ventures, the organization that put encore careers on the map, is holding a contest for five brilliant ideas that transforms communities.  The prize? A cool $5K.  Submit your idea soon. The deadline is December 20.

What brilliant ideas have you run across lately?  Add to the conversation...

 

Comments

[Pamslim]

Thanks so much for the kind mention Carol! The end of the year roundup is one of my FAVORITE things all year. I am stunned when I look at all the things that people have launched, and in the beautiful creative diversity that is my market.

Here is to a joyful, prosperous and fun 2011!

-Pam

[carolross]

Thanks for stopping by, Pam. I re-read your end of the year post for last year and stunning is a great word to describe your clients' accomplishments. Kudos to you for having attracted such a wonderful tribe!

Best,

Carol

[Javis Lounsbury]

As an entrepreneur, you go the extra mile for giving exceptional service to your customers. That would mean a big plus on your side, and increase customer loyalty. Recognition means more than just giving the services they want - it's rather giving them the services they deserve!