Help with getting feedback

[EllieSpoon]

Hi, Sorry if this is a bit long winded.

I run my own web business sending out products to new mums. These are usually bought by their colleagues at work or their boss and the gift is delivered direct to the new mums home address. So this means I have the email address of the purchaser but not of the new mum herself.

Once I know that safe delivery has taken place I follow up with the purchaser just to check everything was ok as far as they know and ask if there was anything we could have done better. Sometimes I get feedback and sometimes I don?t which is fine because I know people are busy and inundated with these sorts of emails. What I would really like to get is feddback direct from the new mum but I don?t have her email address. I feel a quick note in the post might not work as it may just be lost in with all the junk mail.

However I seem to be able to find all these mums very easily on LinkedIn by matching their name and work.

So my question to you wise mums is .... would this be appropriate for me to contact them via LinkedIn out of the blue like this and would I get some responses? The note will be sent maybe a month after the birth and will be very brief offering them congratulations, and checking that everything was ok and asking if we could have done anything better.

Thanks in advance for reading

Would they still check their linked in if they are on mat leave?
Could you ask them to like your FB page in a note in with their parcel for a free draw each month? then you would have their FB page and could contact them that way?
Or ask them to leave feedback on your website for entry to the free draw?

I'm with TracyK - the best way is to give them an incentive to contact you (although you'll have to be realistic and not expect many responses - the response rate for this sort of thing tends to be very low).
However, in digging around to find contact emails in the way you suggest, you'd be on very dodgy ground regarding data protection legislation - you need someone's permission to contact them for marketing purposes.

I disagree on the snail mail aspect - it's actually quite novel to get something personal in the post - make it stand out though!

I have to agree that researching their LinkedIN or other social media profile just might break data protection laws.

Why not put a pamphlet with the items thanking them and wishing them well and asking them to Like you on FB or similar?

Thank you all - I'm glad I asked. The problem is that I don't really get Facebook and my page just doesn't look very good. And for some reason my Facebook page URL name is really long with loads of random numbers added into it. So yes I think I must spend more time on FB. But I am liking the fact that there is a vote in there for old fashioned snailmail. We did actually send all the 2011 babies an Xmas card by post. Not too sure how LinkedIN actually works - would we not have to request if they minded us contacting them before we actually spoke to them and divulged any info? It's so difficult having no contact whatsoever with the actual recipient.

I think if I had received it as a gift and the parcel had a beautifully worded (begging) card, prepaid return postage with a few questions to tick on it. I think I would tick it and pop it in a postbox for you. Maybe not STRAIGHT after the birth - but if it was a pretty card - I wouldn't mind it hanging around on a mantlepiece somewhere - then would eventually pop it in the post.

I'd agree with handwritten, I do that with my business (marketing consultant) and people take note.

What about 2 postcards. 1 with your questions on and as TracyK says include a stamped address envelope for ease. And then a pretty 'keepsake' card, which has your details on, should they want to order in the future. "10 things about my baby" and they can write it on it and keep it "As a reminder of those early precious days" etc

Facebook - you need 25 likes (or it was that) before you can change the url to something better than 23339?_385HG. I would have thought that FB is a good channel for you. I imagine that FB use goes up when on mat leave. Have a look at what other baby companies do on their pages. Key to any social media is content and consistency.

Good luck.

Ps. Being active on FB is a good way to connect with potential customers. Eg it isn't all about your page. A client of mine uses it to tap into mummy focused groups/communities.

LinkedIn is prob appropriate for you to meet contacts to develop the business eg potential partners/orgs that you could work with. I don't think I've ever been approached on there about a "consumer" product/service.

Yes, you need 25 likes to be able to have what is known as a 'pretty' url, i.e. one without all the numbers in it.

I assume you have a logo and a webpage? It's very easy to transfer your logo to Facebook and then just put up your details on your FB page.

If you want to PM me your company name, I'd be happy to take a look. I actually do this for a living but always willing to help someone start out with a few tips!

Thanks for all your tips. I do like the idea of a handwritten postcard, stamped and addressed with tick boxes and space for other comments. I always hand write all the personal messages and like to think that old fashioned things are appreciated in these modern times.

Tee - I have sent you a PM - thank you

Thanks for explaining the 25 likes on FB thing.

Where it has been clearly bought by a business for a colleague or client I send the business a tweet that, confirms safe delivery, thanks them and invites any feedback (I also email all this back to the email address that placed the order). And don't worry - taking on board earlier comments there is no mention of the recipients name.

PS I just did a big order for a top selling female author from Ireland and she gave me some lovely feedback that I've put on my website. And she placed another big order!!! 9 orders so far this year and 2 feedbacks - both really positive.