<HTML>In a message dated 12/10/01 1:24:32 PM !!!First Boot!!!, Tvak@AOL.COM writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">After I send a reminder card to a client, I have often heard the following response: "I'm so glad you sent me that card because I couldn't find your phone number anywhere" or "I just couldn't remember your name."  I do everything I can, short of writing my own name in their Rolodex, to help them find me again.  Before I leave their house, I always tell them that I've put my business card in the bench, and I also give them the pen.  It's another way for them to find me again.  True, ff these people lived in Dade County, they would have voted for Buchanan, but I still want their repeat business.   It has nothing to do with any lack of confidence in my work.  (I certainly hope they don't perceive my leaving the pen as you did...) </BLOCKQUOTE> If these customers are happy to have you send them a card, then why spend extra money on promotional items? Keeping your name in front of your customer is very important. A promotional item is a good way to do that. But even more important is a post card reminder that a piano should be tuned twice a year. This is what my post card tells them: "According to the National Association of Piano Manufacturers, (this gives credibility, not just my opinion), pianos should be tuned twice a year. Tuning will assure your piano will continue to maintain its value and sound its best. Above your name on the mailing label is the month and year your piano was last tuned. If it has been more than six month, it is time to have it done again. Please call for an appointment. (Then my name and phone number and e-mail address.) I send out reminder cards once a year, (or every six months if the customer requests it), for 4 years. About half of the 1st year customers call me within 3 months after receiving the post card. I get about a 15 - 20% response from customers for whom it has been 2 years. The return I get from the 3rd and 4th year customers has been worth doing it, usually about 5%. By sending out post cards it is also was a way to purge my data base of any customer who have moved. I even got phone calls or notes from customer who had sold their piano. Wim </HTML>