Should you send out holiday cards to your clients? What about business partners and people you network with? You bet.
Holiday card rules
- Notice that I say HOLIDAY and not Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah. In order not to offend people, keep the holiday message generic - peace on earth, happy holidays, and seasons greetings are all good choices. However, if your business is religiously based, for example a Christian bookstore, a religious message is appropriate.
- Keep the graphic snon-religious too - winter scenes, snowmen, animals, and so on.
- Your graphics should say something about your company, if possible. If you own a business directed towards families, scenes of children playing in the snow would be be a good choice.
- Be careful with humor. Someone might find not find grandma getting run over by Santa's sleigh very funny.
- Use quality holiday cards, preprinted if possible. VistaPrint.com is a good choice, but try your local business supply or stationary store.
- Include your business card or a business magnet in the envelope.
- Use a holiday postage stamp and don't forget your return address (pre-printed with your logo if possible).
Why bother with holiday cards?
- Customer and Partner Appreciation - To thank people for doing business with you.
- Marketing - With my Usborne Book clients, I sealed the envelopes with a label. On it was information about using my website for direct ordering and that rush shipping was available.
- Referrals - Last year I sent a holiday card to a graphic designer I knew with a note that I was interested in providing his clients with copywriting services. I enclosed some business cards. Today, he's one of my biggest resources for referrals.
- Networking - I'll be sending cards to people I've networked with. It's another great way to touch base and send out a few business cards.
For more advice on sending out cards, see Business Christmas Cards from Susan Ward at About.com. (BTW - I disagree with her on hand-addressing envelopes. Many people don't care or never see if there is a pre-printed label on the envelope since their assistant opens the mail. However, including a hand-written note is a very nice touch.)
