Every small business should heed this advice .... add that 'personal touch' and a sense of genuine caring from you so that your customers feel important.
This type of 'personal caring' hasn't changed in centuries, and I doubt it ever will. People will always want to feel listened to and expect top quality for their dollar. Your customers/clients are no different.
Keeping them on the radar...and making them FEEL as if they are still on your radar is of utmost importance.
With regard to your business, you could ......
* Send out postcard reminders. A great site for this is SendCards.com. They actually send out some really cool cards in direct mail based on what you've written. I really like their service after testing them a few times.
* Make a quick phone call or send an email shortly after your engagement .... just to confirm that you are interested in this client and that you care about their needs.
* Start getting involved in social media marketing. Since you want to promote your goods/services, I recommend that you start tweeting on Twitter and have a profile on LinkedIn and/or a 'page' or 'group' on Facebook. In these venues, you could have special coupons or giveaways solely for your followers that would give them a heads-up preview and make them feel special.
You also have the opportunity to answer specific questions and establish the concept that you are the go-to person for your specific goods/services.
These social media sites will also help you develop a more personal relationship with your prospects and/or clients.
I know I have mentioned this before, but I am still a big fan of the thank you card , with a few business cards in the envelope and a discount offer, or free "something" with a referral.
Actually I like (1) business card refridgerator magnet, and (10) business cards.
I just think that, especially in an age when many people may have clients that you will never meet, or are in another city, that people will carry your card to pass along if they are happy with your service.
I know it sounds "old school", but how else do you get people in another city to remember you at a moments notice when their peers say, "Hey, you wouldn't know anyone that does_____, would you ?"