It is just about that time…

When the trees start blossoming, everything starts turning green and rabbits shed their white winter coat. The air is crisper, the days get longer and the sunshine is beautiful. It is Spring!

I am always reminded of Easter around this time of year. It is fast approaching and before you know it, it will have come and gone.

Why not stock up on some holiday product to tell your clients that spring time is a fresh start and appointments are important in maintaining their overall health?

Check out our Easter plastic supply bags!
Plastic supply bags are an excellent tool to sending your clients home with as many practice building goodies of your choosing. Fill the bags with our personalized wall calendars or gift certificates.

SPRING TO IT!

For pet care professionals, it’s important to welcome a new pet owner on their first visit, to immediately start building that relationship and ensure that they don’t hesitate to return again and again. This is important whether you’re a vet, a groomer, or have another pet care professional. Sharper has a lot of great products for pet grooming marketing and veterinary marketing. We carry veterinary calendars, veterinary magnets, veterinary tote bags, and come great veterinary promotional items.

A great first step in building an impression of a trusted pet care professional is to welcome your pet owner with a card. After they receive a new kitten or puppy, the perfect way to share in their happiness is with one of the new “congratulations” pet care greeting cards:

People today see their pets as members of the family. How often have you heard the terms “furry children” or “pet parents”? These cards show that you understand the importance of that relationship to new pet owners.

Or, if they have had their pet for a few years and are simply new clients to your practice or business, how about another token of welcome? Giving them something they can take home that has your personalized information on it is worth its weight in gold. If they are constantly reminded of your name and contact information, there’s no doubt they’ll call you first when their beloved pet needs some attention. Not only because your information is close at hand, but because of the goodwill you’ll engender by giving them a useful gift. sharper leashes are wonderful promotional giveaways, and sharper scoops are well-used and cost-effective gifts. Imagine your name being at-hand every time a pet owner feeds their pet or scoops its litter! I would be absolutely thrilled with our vet if they gave us one of these after we brought our pet in:

I love designing products with puppies and kittens in them. Sometime this year I will be getting a new puppy myself, and I am really looking forward to it — they are just so cute! It’s no wonder that so many of Sharper’s products featuring kittens and puppies are so popular. One of these is the Dream Big series, which started as one of our many personalized magnet calendars and is now developing into more products, including postcards and reusable tote bags:

This year there will be a 2011 personalized magnet calendar as well as a tri-fold calendar in this popular series! 2011 calendars will be available to order later this spring, and there will be quite a few other calendars with adorable animals in them. What better for your patients or clients to have up in their homes and work and enjoy all year than a calendar? Even in this digital age, people still love to receive personalized calendars from their favorite service providers, for at-a-glance reference.

Are you serious? Already? But it’s only March…

Yep, that’s the way things work in the world of designing promotional calendars. You’ve only just bid farewell to last year, hung up your favorite design for this year, and you’re already gearing up for next year’s designs.  These days, whenever I write a check I have to look twice to make sure I didn’t put the wrong year on it.

Designing calendars at Sharper™ can be a bit of an escape from our usual design work. Along with designing calendars specific to each of our markets (Dental, Contemporary Health, Veterinary, etc) we get to design for more general audiences. Not only do we want our creations to be functional and add visual charm to an office or work space, we try to put ourselves in your shoes and find out what inspires, what motivates and what lets you dream… So when I start my design journey, I ask myself the question “Where would I like to go today?”

I know from my own experiences that in the midst of a hectic day, sometimes the only break I get is the 30-second daydream where I get to relax on a sun-soaked beach of the South Pacific with a delicious tropical tonic in hand, or be engulfed in the calm of a rain forest, listening to the banter of the aviary locals with the gentle rumble of a waterfall in the distance. Wherever it is, chances are you may want to go there too.

Here are some of my current favorite designs from our team:

The great thing about Sharper™ Calendars is that we offer so many sizes!  You can choose between Trifold Calendars, Business Promotional Calendars, Bookmark Calendars, Magnet Calendars or even Wall Calendars, and they all can be personalized with your business or practice information.

If you’re looking for more market-specific calendars check out our dental calendars, chiropractic, vision & hearing or veterinary calendars.

So inspire your clients, motivate them and help them dream with a calendar from Sharper™ as you remind them of your services all year long.

How do you currently market your veterinary clinic?  The days have long passed since the old saying, “If you build it, they will come” was a viable marketing strategy.  The truth is, even if you have the best facilities, best location and best staff, if people don’t know where you are and what you offer, they will never walk through your front door.

Some basic essentials that should be a part of any veterinary marketing program are:

1. Veterinary business cards - Hand them out often and to as many people as you can.  You never know who your next potential pet owner client will be.
2. Veterinary calendars – Print your contact information on the calendars and it will stay visible year round in the homes of pet owners.
3. Veterinary tote bags – When people leave your clinic with pet supplies, medication or merchandise give them a reusable tote bag with your clinic’s name address and phone number printed on the outside.

These marketing tools are effective, inexpensive and easy to use.

I am still waiting for that spectacular annual wall calendar that I traditionally receive each year from my dentist, my realtor, maybe my dog’s veterinarian or possibly my kid’s art class. It’s a real event in my house come December. Everyone squabbles over the one featuring scenic wonders of the world, a collection of cats and dogs or 12 months of floral splendor.  The best one always ends up on my office wall. Sure, there’s Microsoft Outlook, cell phones and palm pilots, but you just can’t beat a beautiful wall calendar to add a bit of color and cheer to the tedious task of sorting out your busy schedule for the day.

Wall calendars are a source of goodwill throughout the year and have proven to be one of the most appreciated gifts a practice or business can send. I have to confess, if I don’t get mine each year, I am sadly dashing out to the nearest department store to see if there is anything left on the shelves. A wall calendar is an essential staple in my house. Check out the beautiful Galleria Wall Calendar designs available at Sharper. Personalize with your name, address and phone number absolutely free.

What is a great way to remind your patients that you care, that you want to see them throughout the year and makes a nice gift?

How about Sharper’s Dental Calendars?

Sharper offers a wide variety of calendars. Everything from postcard calendars to promotional calendars. We have bookmark calendars and tri-fold calendars.

Why send your patient away with one of Sharper’s dental calendars?

• They are bright and have beautiful designs.
• An excellent promotional tool.
• A great way to remind your patient of any upcoming appointments by circling the date for them.

Patients love getting gifts. It lets them know that you care and that you want to be their dental office for as long as you can.

I was driving to work the other day and happened to hear this song on the radio that made me smile. It is called ‘Dental Care’ by Owl City and it is all about teeth and going to the dentist.  It starts off with these lyrics;

I brush my teeth
And look in the mirror
And laugh out loud
As I’m beaming from ear to ear

Wouldn’t it be great if by sending out Sharper’s dental calendars you could make each one of your patients beam from ear to ear?

Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner!? I’m beginning to get anxious just thinking about going to the mall, trying to find a parking spot, and then attempting to shop without being distracted by the huge crowd people all vying get their hands on the best presents. So this year, I think I’m going to change my strategy and do all my shopping on-line. That way, I can shop hundreds of stores without leaving my house, avoid huge lines, and actually enjoy the gift giving process.

If you’re like me and are interested in shopping on-line, then be sure to check out e-sharper.com. We’ve created an easy to use Holiday and Calendar store where you can take your time to look through all our beautiful designs. We have a huge selection of dental holiday cards and dental calendars that are sure to impress your patients. If you’re not into giving holiday cards, we have a ton of other products that are designed to help you build loyalty and generate referrals…appointment reminder postcards, chiropractic birthday cards, dental birthday cards, and more. The best part is that our ordering process is super easy and personalization is free.

It’s important for businesses to communicate with patients or clients without the intention of soliciting business. Why? Just like in personal relationships, people don’t want to receive phone calls or letters only when something is needed from them – business greeting cards like birthday cards are a great tool that can be used to increase loyalty without any “strings attached”.

Birthday cards are a great way to stay on the minds of the people who you want to keep as customers.  They are also a great reference tool to attract new customers because birthday cards are almost always displayed where others can see them.

Here are some ideas of how you can add more “wow-factor” to client birthday cards:

• Personalize the envelope if sending a folding birthday card
• Coordinate the ink color to compliment the card and help your business stand out
• Make the card work twice as hard for you by printing a gift certificate or promotional offer directly on the birthday card in addition to a personal message
• Special birthday’s require special recognition. Send out personalized toothbrushes, lip balm, cups, activity books or other personalized promotional items to your top clients
• Bookmark calendars, magnets, stickers, and activity sheets are also a nice economical gift to include with client birthday cards.

Did you know that it costs five times more to acquire a new patient than to keep an existing one? That’s why it’s crucial to nurture relationships through proper communication. Below are three essentials all businesses and practices must keep in mind when building long-term loyalty:

1. Commemorate occasions
   -Welcome
   -Birthday
   -Thank You
   -Thanksgiving/Holiday
   -Sympathy
   -Congratulations
   -Get Well
2. Maintain activity
   -Reminder – Remind patients or clients of an upcoming appointment
   -Recall - Remind patients or clients to schedule an appointment
   -Missed Appointment – Remind patients or clients to reschedule an appointment
   -Reactivation – Send a card to inactive patients or clients to remind them of your services
3. Increase visibility with client giveaways
   -Business Cards
   -Plastic Supply Bags
   -Magnetic Business Cards
   -Personalized Toothbrushes
   -Lip Balm
   -Personalized Calendars

The powerful visual appeal combined with year-long marketing power make personalized magnet calendars a successful tool to keep patients or clients coming back. Include a personalized magnet calendar in a reusable tote bag as a giveaway for patients or clients to take home. You can even include a personalized magnet calendar with your business thank you cards or holiday cards as a token of your appreciation.

See a magnet calendar design you like? Look for coordinated images of your favorite designs with products such as plastic supply bags, peel And stick appointment cards, and appointment reminder postcards to build your brand while saving your money!

Business Promotional Calendars are a practical gift that will last all year long! Available with or without envelopes, they can be personalized with your name, address and phone number on the front of the design. The standard back of every Business Promotional Calendar features a schedule of 2010 holidays and a complete 2011 calendar. Or, you can customize it with your own message!

Include a Business Promotional Calendar in a Reusable Tote Bag as a giveaway to every patient or client that leaves your office or simply mail them as a continuing reminder of your appreciation.

Our 2010 Bookmark Calendars are a daily reminder of your commitment to your patients and clients. With a curved notch to keep it in place, these Bookmark Calendars can have long-lasting value.

Bookmark Calendars are available in a wide variety of designs and can be personalized with your practice or business information. Include them as giveaways in Plastic Supply Bags or mail them with your Business Greeting Cards as an additional token of your appreciation.