When my Mac automatically launched Skitch today, Skitch automatically launched a software upgrade dialog box. Here I saw a friendly little, pink box that linked to multiple options to provide feedback to Skitch and, more importantly, to help me get me more involved with the Skitch tribe.

“Send us an email,” “Follow Skitch on Twitter,” “Read the Blog” and “Wallpapers and badges” were half of the eight links that got me clicking. And getting me clicking got me to not only following Skitch on Twitter and signing up for Skitch’s blog RSS feed, but it also found me telling friends about Skitch — using an simple, automated Web feature provided by Skitch.

I was telling my friends Skitch simply because I think it is a must-have app for all creative pros. However, this also led me to also writing some colleagues that were already on board with Skitch (as I learned from an instant notification from Skitch.) This, I realized realized, was actually giving me a chance to help my own tribe-building efforts, and I felt grateful to Skitch for this.

Skitch’s friendly, little pink box was working some big time magic.

I have never seen such a simple, friendly, user-enticing form of grabbing my attention and increasing my involvement in a product. This is customer feedback done right.

Photographers can use this example from Skitch to consider ways for easily improving marketing efforts by creating specific, varied feedback mechanisms. Consider adding such links (in a box or not) to:

• Regular email mails.

• Promotional emails.

• Newsletters.

• Web site pages.

• You tell me!

I have not investigated the mechanism that Skitch is using to produce their feedback dialog box, but it this marketing strategy is clearly not about technology. It is about reconsidering the possibilities in gaining quality feedback and involvement.

I need to start by asking myself, how can I improve on the standard “Website: X” line in my email signature. Then, how can I go beyond the passive “Contact” page on my Web site? (Specific feedback and involvement options added to different pages?)

Offering killer creative services is only a tiny fraction of the what it takes to achieve business success. Getting people interested and involved in following your services at is critical. Skitch’s friendly, little pink box is food for thought. How can you can put such specific response mechanisms to use?

If you are doing something similar (or better) or have seen excellent samples of this in the photo industry, let me know. I’d love to share ideas!

Tags: Customer Feedback, Customer Feedback Mechanisms, Feedback, Marketing Strategies, Promotional Strategies, Skitch, Tribe-Building