I am in charge of sending out the initial welcome package and the quarterly gifts to my client's clients, all of which I do from Israel. In addition, I make sure that all client information is up-to-date in our master database.

CLIENT DATABASE

My client uses a Google Spreadsheet for our master database. This program allows both my client and me to update the spreadsheet and see any changes made in real time no matter where we are located. Each day, I check this spreadsheet to see if any new clients have been added. When they have, I know that is my cue to send out the initial welcome package.

CLIENT WELCOME PACK

When we have a new client, we send to them a number of items, including a few emails, a letter through MailALetter.com, and a book we wrote through Mimeo.com. These programs enable me to sit at my desk in Israel while these items are physically mailed in the US (through the US Postal Service)!

After the welcome pack has been sent, I use my Google Calendar to put in reminders for any upcoming client gifts or birthdays. This program is wonderful because it sends a reminder to my email on the date I set. These reminders help me make sure to never miss a client gift or birthday!

Once I get my email reminder, I go to the appropriate website to order the client gift. For example, one of our favorites is Kosherwine.com. Here I log into the website, choose a bottle of wine, a type of gift wrap, and write out the text to the card. 4 days later, the client gets his/her gift! Thanks to this web site, our client knows my how much my boss appreciates his/her business, and my boss gets the extra time to work on getting more clients.

Another one of the websites we just started using is Starbucks.com. Who doesn’t love a nice cup of coffee, right? On this website, I can just as easily log into our account, place an order for a gift card, type up the note, and send the gift. The gift card arrives to our client's office. I have to tell you that our clients love getting these little tokens of appreciation in the mail!

The last step in the process is going back into the Google spreadsheet and recording the date that the gift was sent. This way, my boss knows when everything was sent and that each client has been taken care of.

With all of the great software programs out there, it is quite easy to maintain great working relationships with our clients, even virtually!

MORE ABOUT MISIA

Misia has a wide range of experience in research, writing, design, and sales, including: serving as a web designer, event fundraiser, and advertising and sales manager. Misia's extensive attention to detail enables her to both help her clients in growing their businesses and allows her to serve as Secretary in Israel's Associate Director of Marketing and Communication. She received her BA in Communication Studies and Studio Art from the University of Iowa.