The Day I Received a Surprise Gift In the Mail

I love receiving packages in the mail, don't you?  The
anticipation of opening a package is so exciting.  It's like
Christmas anytime of year.

I ordered a book online a few weeks ago.  Quite frankly,
I had forgotten all about it until I received the book in the
mail a few days ago.  Know what?  While I may forget the
book some years from now, it is highly unlikely I will forget
the company who sent it.

Here's why.

Let me set the scene for you.  Humor me now, and
imagine you are reliving this experience with me.

The doorbell rings.  It's the mailman with a 9"x12"x2"
package.  It has my name on it.  In that moment, I feel
like I've won the lottery.

I do a quick scan of my busy past few weeks.  What did
I order?  I vaguely recall ordering a book, but of all the
books I had perused, which one was it?

Now, whilst you think I'm a nutcase (which, admittedly,
wouldn't be far off), I do generally remember things I've
ordered.

I look at the label on the outside of the package.  It has
the name of a company that means nothing to me.  My
curiosity is mounting.  What in the world is this book?

My day is getting busier by the minute.  I really should put
the package down and open it later.  But, like the parents
who explain to their young children they're all going to sit
down and have a leisurely breakfast before they open
presents on Christmas morning, I realize it is futile.

So, I relent and open the package.  I remove the packaging
that has so aptly safeguarded my treasure.

Inside I find...

...something wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper?
From whom?

I feel a sudden panic.  My mind wanders nervously into
distressful areas, the kind of thoughts you get when you
suddenly realize you may have opened someone else's
package.

I quickly scan the outside of the package once more.
It definitely has my name and my address on it.  Phew!

This is my present.  Some unheard-of-company has sent
me a gift.  A book.  But what kind of book?  I tear off the
Christmas wrapping paper.

I find...

...a new book with a small, festive note that says, "Enjoy
your reading during the holidays."  There is also a gift
certificate for $5 off my next purchase.  I recognize the
title if the book.  It is one I have been wanting for some
time.

My memory begins to come into clear focus.  Ah, yes, it
is the marketing book I recently ordered.  I even recall
the day I ordered it online.

Some company had actually taken the time to wrap my
order in Christmas wrapping paper and send a personal,
festive note along with it.  Do you know what that did for
me?  Now, some will say, "It gave you a warm fuzzy."
Well, yes it did.

But, it did something much more than that.

It made me so curious about the company that had sent
this book to me, that I actually went back and pulled the
package out of the garbage to again look at the label.  I
also compared it with the invoice that was tucked inside
the package.

I actually wanted to purchase from this company again.

During the holidays, I will spend a few nights reading
the book, and I will, no doubt, enjoy every minute of it.
Not to mention, I plan to learn plenty from the master
marketer who wrote it.

But, what of the company from whom I ordered the book?
If I had opened the package to simply find a book and an
invoice, I may never remember who this company was.
Thus, I most likely would have never ordered from them
again.  However, I can promise you that with the
impression this company has left on my mind, I will
certainly turn to them when I find myself in need of the
same kind of book again.

I may never remember to use my $5 gift certificate, but
I will remember the day I received the Christmas gift
in the mail.

------
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                     Tip of the Day
__________________________________________

Dress It Up

If you read today's article, I'm going to use today's tip
to emphasize it again.  Surprise your customers and
clients with creative packaging or some other innovative
idea they are not expecting.  Like the Christmas
wrapped package I received, you will be remembered
and appreciated.


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