I got the usual flood of holiday cards to the office. Dull, dull, dull.
1 in 50 was remarkable. Some at least had custom designs. Most came right out of the generic catalog.
Why bother?
For all the labor you put into the annual cards, you could do something much more interesting to connect with your clients. Generic holiday cards can actually be damaging to your reputation if you’re supposed to be a creative agency with great ideas.
- Try a SquidNote – everyone in the office can sign an amazing ecard.
- We turn business cards into luggage tags all year long.
- Send a pizza to your favorite clients
- David Spark sent 325 video cards to his clients.
- Send Valentine’s day cards instead.
- Send a gazillion hand-written thank-you notes instead.
Lesson #1: Every communications is a marketing opportunity. You need to make it count.
Lesson #2: Have a personality.
What are some of the best ideas you saw this year?
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{ 4 comments }
Andy,
I recently received a handwritten thank you note from a podcaster who I talked with. It was a simple, Tiffany card with two, thoughtful handwritten sentences. I also received a postcard from someone else with a beautiful summer scene from a serene lake in NH (where I have a cottage.)
Simple, snail mail gestures can make such an impact.
Lois
PS — and thanks for the luggage tag! Love it.
Andy:
Thanks for adding me to your list of unusual ways to touch base at the end of the year.
I agree wholeheartedly about your two lessons. If you’re making contact with potential and existing clients, don’t blow it. And end of the year is just a great time to touch base with people. Show you actually care about each individual. People are not fooled or impressed by generic non-caring mass mailings.
I was very pleased with the response to my personal video messages. Take a look and I’ll bet no one has ever that kind of responses to a generic “Happy Holidays” greeting card.
http://www.sparkminute.com/?p=259
You may also be interested in some of the articles I’ve written about new media communications.
http://sparkmediasolutions.com/opinions_list.html
- How to “Web 2.0-Enable” your Live Event
- More Schmooze, Less Snooze: How to Deliver “The Most Talked About” Conference Session
- How PR Professionals Can Participate in New Media
- The 12 Principles of New Media
this reminds me, i love the luggage tag you sent, andy! i’ve shown it to at least 10 people already. thank you!
Hand written cards and chocolates. We keep a list of all our clients’ birthdays, and send them a gift accordingly. It’s a lot more meaningful to them!
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