As the holidays approach, multimillion dollar corporations are starting to send business holiday cards to their customer mailing lists. The reason they're all putting a large chunk of their advertising budget into holiday greeting cards instead of a traditional postcard or flier campaign? These companies understand that sending a beautiful holiday greeting is more effective than a postcard or flier advertising campaign around the holidays. Many people proudly display the lovely cards they receive at Christmastime and may even keep them for years to come. However, because they are trying to keep their homes clutter free as they prepare to entertain friends and family members over the holidays, they tend to toss ads and promotional mailings right into the recycling bin without even reading through them.
Selecting Business Holiday Greeting Cards
Small businesses can benefit from the marketing power of holiday greeting cards, too. For a business with a very small promotional budget, bulk greeting cards with an attractive design may be the best option. Make signing the cards painless by investing in a rubber stamp that says From your friends at ABC Company or Sincerely wishing you a wonderful holiday. ABC Company.
Imprinted Christmas cards are a great option for a business with a larger promotional budget. These cards are professionally printed with the company's name, which saves quite a bit of time and energy.
For some small businesses, especially those who have only a few special clients, buying the nicest business Christmas cards available and hand signing and addressing them is a very smart idea. Clients who develop a close relationship with a business owner or employee really appreciate that someone values them enough to take the time to sign the card by hand.
Once the business owner decides on a type of card, he or she needs to think about design options. For holiday greetings that make a good impression, the business owner should:
- Consider the weight of the card stock being used. Flimsy stock leaves a bad impression, but it isn't necessary to buy the very best. Look for card stock that is heavy enough to feel nice.
- Think about embossed or flocked designs. A bit of glitz can really make a mid-priced card seem expensive.
- Select artwork that has a grown up, sophisticated feel. These cards represent the business and its owner.
Use Christmas Cards as a Promotional Tool
If holiday cards are taking the place of a traditional postcard mailing, why not combine the two? Buy imprinted Christmas cards that include wording at the bottom that offers am exclusive discount just for the wonderful customers on the business mailing list or tuck a coupon printed on festive paper into each card.
Send E-Holiday Greetings
For companies that simply can't afford printing and postage costs or businesses that only have email contact information for their customers, a professional email greeting can be a nice touch. To make a nice impression, keep it short and sweet and avoid sales pitches.
Sending business Christmas greetings, either by postal mail or email, is one low cost way to make a good impression and let customers know a company genuinely cares about their business. Don't be surprised if customers show their appreciation by sending cards in return or just saying thanks the next time they see the business owner. In today's fast paced society, little things like this really can make a business stand out from competitors.
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