Top 3 Reasons to Send Corporate Holiday Cards This Year

08/29/09

You’re flipping through a pile of mail when your fingers brush past something different. “Wait, what’s this?” you ask yourself. You tear open the crisp white envelope and pull out a gorgeous crimson holiday card with gleaming silver flourishes. Inside is a warm holiday greeting and personalized message from Company XYZ. “Ah, Company XYZ,” you exclaim, “they’re always so great to work with – top notch. Obviously, because they cared enough to send me a card and thank me for my business.”

Just like that: Positive impression made. Sending your best customers and clients a company holiday card is a powerful gesture that can yield tremendous dividends long after the mail is opened!

Don’t let this golden opportunity to impress your customers – as well as earn their continued loyalty and respect – pass you by.

Sending company holiday cards, calendars and gifts makes sound business sense because they:

1) Demonstrate you value your current customers’ business.

No matter how tough the conditions, your customers matter. During these economically challenging times, most businesses are running on leaner budgets and watching their every expenditure. But for a healthy return on investment holiday cards can’t be beat.

A holiday greeting costs just pennies per customer, but yields significant returns through good will and continued business. It’s the perfect way to show you care about your customers – customers who, incidentally, kept your business thriving in spite of the economic downturn.

2) Stand out in a way that other forms of communication cannot.

As a customer, how special do you feel receiving a mass e-mail from a company during the holidays? Or worse, no acknowledgment at all? A paper card shows a level of effort and attention on your part.

It tells them that your business went out of its way to select the appropriate business holiday card, address it properly and even share a handwritten note. That single card is personal, it’s tactile and it rises above the electronic and digital noise of today.

3) Put you at the forefront with previous customers and remind them of your business.

Holiday cards are ideal for reconnecting with people who have bought your products or used your services in the past.

This sort of name recognition is especially important with customers you haven’t had contact with for a while. With your holiday greeting, consider mentioning their previous purchases, recommending new items they may be interested in or offering a “welcome back” coupon for a future order. That way, you’ll get even more “bang for your buck” with your card mailing.

Ready to make a positive impression with new and old customers alike? Order your holiday cards now (and enjoy terrific, “early bird” specials), then plan on reaping the rewards that come with wishing customers happy holidays and letting them know they matter.

Tips and Suggestions

The Do’s and Don’ts of Sending Company Holiday Cards

Do buy high-quality cards. Cutting corners with your selection could actually send the wrong message: that business isn’t good or that your customers aren’t worth the investment. With a little research, you can find great savings on a wide variety of attractive greeting cards, especially if you place your order well in advance of the busy season.

Do update your mailing list. Double check that all the names and addresses on your list are correct. You can make this task more manageable by adding new customers to your list or database throughout the year.

Don’t forget to sign cards. You should always include a handwritten signature, even if your card includes a preprinted personalization. Adding a short, handwritten message is another nice touch.

Don’t appear insensitive with traditions. If possible, determine if the recipient observes Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Or if you’re planning to send a single card to your entire list, choose a “generic” card that wishes “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays.”