Bright Ideas from the Idea Lady

"May I Have Your Autograph?"

10/12/04-Published every Tuesday by Cathy Stucker
Copyright 2004 by Cathy Stucker, The Idea Lady(tm)

In a recent online discussion, I said that I encourage customers to buy books directly from me with copy on my Web site saying that the books are personally signed by the author. One person responded saying that, although she didn't mean to offend, she didn't know why anyone would want my signature. After all, I'm not famous.

Well, I didn't take offense at her observation. I was a little surprised by the phenomenon, too. The fact is that people like the personal touch that comes with a signed item. Maybe they are hoping that I will become famous (or infamous!) one day, and they will be able to sell the book on eBay for a huge profit. Or maybe they just like the connection to an almost-famous author.

Even if you don't sell books, you may be able to use this personal touch to reach more customers. Craftsmen and artists often sign their work. Do you produce a product you could sign? Even if your business is installing air conditioners, would saying that "all of our installers sign their work," be a powerful message to customers about the pride your installers put in to everything they do? 

Putting your name to something means that you have pride in it. Backing that up with a signature adds a personal touch to which customers will respond.

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Have you seen the FreeArticles.biz Web site? It's loaded with lots of free articles, many of them from past issues of Bright Ideas. 
http://www.FreeArticles.biz/ (Note that it is .BIZ)

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Cathy Stucker, The Idea Lady(tm)
Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous
Make growing your business easy and fun!

Published by
Special Interests Publishing
4646 Hwy 6, #123
Sugar Land, TX 77478

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