For years, when I ran low on laser-printer toner, I would search online for refurbished cartridges that were reasonably priced with good reviews. This did not work well. Some units produced type that was too light. Others were smeary. And once a cartridge that was supposed to be compatible with my printer did not function at all.
I should have simply tracked which refurbished cartridges did work out and where I bought them. But with three or four months between purchases, I never organized myself to solve this minor problem.
Now I know, reliably and with no remembering on my part, exactly where to buy my next toner cartridges. Ink Technologies, which provides quality cartridges, did me the favor of pasting a large, colorful sticker with its phone number and web address on its boxes. Other companies shipped boxes with no contact information. Since I save the boxes to recycle cartridges more easily, all I have to do to place my reorder is to glance at the top of the box.
Tangible Reminders
Given how much more profitable returning customers are than first-time buyers, it’s amazing how many companies put so little effort into encouraging repeat sales.
Consider imparting something visible and obvious to your customer as a memory prompt. As the Ink Technologies example shows, this doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Branded magnets, pens, mouse pads, or key fobs all tend to get retained and used by recipients. They have an even greater impact because they’re perceived as an unexpected gift.
A coupon offering a discount or bonus on a customer’s next purchase can also help. If you print that coupon on the bottom of the packing slip, it wouldn’t even cost an additional piece of paper.
Digital Reminders
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