As a small business owner looking to grow my business and my customer base, I have learned that any small things you can do to please your clients (and potential clients) is a step in the right direction. When competition is steep, as it often is in the small business market, you really do need to go above and beyond to draw in new customers — and just as importantly, to keep the customers you already have. One seemingly small thing I have been doing for the past year or so is sending out business thank you cards to my valued customers. Now, I’m not talking about some insincere, please come back on Friday for this big sale kind of thank you card that is commonly sent out by larger businesses — I’m talking about something more personal that just says, “Thanks!” I have had a very positive response from my customers, and have acquired much repeat business thanks to this small, but personal touch.