Gotta be a better way

[RRS]

I just got in from delivering gifts to a few special customers and started thinking about how much time I've spent preparing gifts this year.

I have 60 contractual residential customers and at least 70 other customers that I've had over the past two years. When I meet a new customer I have them fill out an info card with names, birthdays, kids birthdays, etc. I send birthday cards and Happy Holiday cards as well as five seasonal lawncare advice cards a year. Lately I feel like all I ever do is write letters and address envelopes.

Is there a service that can handle this for me? I hate to take on additional expenses, but It's getting to the point where I need to look at the time I'm putting into this. Last week I spent at least one 8 hour day putting together cards and rarely does a week go by that I don't send out several birthday cards. The seasonal lawncare cards are generic so they are a little easier to prepare, but I still address them all myself.

I do all my billing, scheduling, and office work myself. I don't have an office assistant. Any suggestions?

[Phil Nilsson]

Delegate the routine office stuff but stay with customer contacts ... over time I think this will pay off.

Phil

[1Chavez]

You can do the address on sticky labels to save some time. Just make up a list of addresses in a program like word and save it. When you need an address, find it and print it.
I just let my sister handle stuff like that, much easier.
-Rich

[RRS]

I do use the labels. That does make things easier, but still time consuming.

Phil,

Your right I do like the fact that I am on a first name basis with all of my customers. I guess using a service to send cards etc. would take the personal touch out of the whole thing. I hope that this does pay off in the future. I'm hoping that by keeping my name in my customer's heads will help keep them coming back.

[Phil Nilsson]

RRS

I would think that you'll be the first person they'll recommend. The higher the ticket item (total annual value per customer) the more it makes sense.

Phil