Your Holiday Card Opportunity
You should definitely send a holiday card to your customers, vendors, prospects, industry peers and friends, and referral sources. It’s an opportunity to “touch” them in a high-quality way.
Don’t be cheap. Impressions matter, and for many it will be the only thing they see and touch about you and your company this year.
Yes, “the holiday card project” is a real chore when done right. You need to make sure you have all the names spelled correctly, titles and companies and addresses updated. Someone needs to get on it now – months in advance. And it’s best to mail them early. Drop ’em just after Thanksgiving, before “card fatigue” kicks in.
No, don’t add business promotions, advertisements or pitches for more business. It’s about sending a genuine wish for a joyous holiday and prosperous New Year. Make the message short and sweet and not overly religious, unless that’s a real part of who you are and for what you stand. Be careful, though. It’s about sending a positive message to all. Steer clear of anything that could alienate or offend.
Do include a quality logo or image of your company, and sign each card personally. Any person who is active on the “account” should also sign their name.
If you use a picture of your office or “team,” make sure it’s impeccable. Professionally produced. When in doubt, don’t do it.
Try to make it memorable without risking being unprofessional or offensive. Avoid the cheesy and overused “holiday poinsettia” card and “puppy stuffed in an elf suit type of stuff.” Move into the modern age and send something that has style, color and beauty.
Make sure to include a return address. Update your database for return mail and get the card rapidly on its way to the new location. A friendly call to the person who moved is in order, just to check in and see what’s up, show you care, and make sure you have their correct information.
The holiday season is an opportunity to touch those you know and care about in a positive way. Many of your competitors will fail to take full advantage, or will stumble out of the gate. It’s your opportunity to put a few more drops in the rain bucket of positive impressions. Over time, the raindrops produced by each of your many efforts will fill the bucket until it’s overflowing.
Don’t be cheap. Impressions matter, and for many it will be the only thing they see and touch about you and your company this year.
Yes, “the holiday card project” is a real chore when done right. You need to make sure you have all the names spelled correctly, titles and companies and addresses updated. Someone needs to get on it now – months in advance. And it’s best to mail them early. Drop ’em just after Thanksgiving, before “card fatigue” kicks in.
No, don’t add business promotions, advertisements or pitches for more business. It’s about sending a genuine wish for a joyous holiday and prosperous New Year. Make the message short and sweet and not overly religious, unless that’s a real part of who you are and for what you stand. Be careful, though. It’s about sending a positive message to all. Steer clear of anything that could alienate or offend.
Do include a quality logo or image of your company, and sign each card personally. Any person who is active on the “account” should also sign their name.
If you use a picture of your office or “team,” make sure it’s impeccable. Professionally produced. When in doubt, don’t do it.
Try to make it memorable without risking being unprofessional or offensive. Avoid the cheesy and overused “holiday poinsettia” card and “puppy stuffed in an elf suit type of stuff.” Move into the modern age and send something that has style, color and beauty.
Make sure to include a return address. Update your database for return mail and get the card rapidly on its way to the new location. A friendly call to the person who moved is in order, just to check in and see what’s up, show you care, and make sure you have their correct information.
The holiday season is an opportunity to touch those you know and care about in a positive way. Many of your competitors will fail to take full advantage, or will stumble out of the gate. It’s your opportunity to put a few more drops in the rain bucket of positive impressions. Over time, the raindrops produced by each of your many efforts will fill the bucket until it’s overflowing.
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