Tag: Business Christmas Cards

Corporate Christmas Cards and the Ideal Business Model

I would mention my name and business if I was not so paranoid about online identification disclosures. However, like any industry, my small courier business needs exposure, it needs to be “out there” for people to see and take us into account. What does that have to do with corporate Christmas cards? It’s simple…

My business is as big as me – a couple of family members and a handful of vehicles. So how do I keep afloat? I work hard; I adapt and provide a better service at the best price possible. My marketing budget is $0, so I market myself, my personal touch and offer a friendly carrier to hand your packages to, and I offer the same treatment to every person that I get in touch with. That’s how I’ve stayed profitable and in business through the current financial ordeal; mainly I’ve kept my customers loyal and they have recommended my business to others.

But what does that have to do with The Gallery Collection? Simple, in my company’s most profitable year, I decided to go all out and celebrate; 2008 was my best year of business in the nine years of my company’s existence, so I planned to show off with the best quality business Christmas cards I could find. I googled it and found The Gallery Collection. I was ready to make a big marketing investment (a couple hundred bucks) and taking into account the fact that my Latin family keeps growing, these Christmas cards would serve dual purpose as my personal and business Christmas cards for the holiday season. I’d show how successful I am by sending impeccable personalized Christmas cards to my family while giving my customers a beautiful card to remember me by.

Believe me, the cards were nice. I chose a beautiful design, personalized my greeting, and all for a very affordable price. However, genius me managed to make a typo on my online order, which I did not catch but thankfully a nice rep from The Gallery Collection did. When I got Linda’s call saving me hundreds of dollars, or at least many embarrassing moments, I saw that I had not invented a new business model – The Gallery Collection also believes that service can set their business apart.

I know I’m not the only courier my customers can call upon when the time comes, but they do. And The Gallery Collection is not the only corporate Christmas cards publisher, but I have not seen better looking cards and have definitely not received better service. So you know for certain who I’m turning to this year for my Christmas cards.

Business Christmas Cards for an Entrepreneur

When I was laid off a few years ago, I decided to start my own business (I’d always thought about it, so I figured it was finally time to go for it).   At first, business was slow but steady, but my clients were great.  I was so happy to have survived the first 18 months of business ownership that I decided to send out personalized business Christmas cards thanking everyone for their loyalty.  They were so well received that I’ve continued the tradition every year since (and Gallery Collection never disappoints with its beautiful selection of designs).  I’ve also begun stocking up on assorted birthday cards so there’s always one handy when a client’s birthday approaches.

When I first started out I was fortunate to be able to quickly develop a very loyal client base.  Fast forward several years and my company is still doing well.  I know that I’m only able to do what I love because my clients continue to put their faith in me through repeat business and referrals.  Every year I get so many compliments and expressions of appreciation for the birthday and Christmas cards I’ve sent.  It reminds me that going the extra mile for my clients is as important as providing excellent service.  More importantly though, I know that my small gesture makes my clients feel good so I will continue to send Christmas cards (and birthday cards) to them every year.

Business Christmas Cards Give Holiday Thanks

What joy it brings when we see sparkling lights and bright faces, people with bags and packages scurrying everywhere and the feeling of holiday cheer is in the very air you breathe. Tis’ the season for goodwill toward all and it is as easy as using business Christmas cards to say Thank you to spread that goodwill to your customers and clients.

Whether your customer is a once a year or once a week customer; they want to be given good customer service and they want to know that their business is appreciated. With that in mind, why not give them great customer service? To take the time to go the extra mile will earn you points in the “I will return to business again” column. Although, it certainly is not a new practice to send business Christmas cards, and it is almost expected, saying thank you in that same card will just add a fabulous closing to your business year. Your customers will experience the feeling of goodwill you are sending and look favorably when they have need of your product or services again. Just knowing that you appreciate their continued patronage will realize an immeasurable benefit to your company. Really, everybody can use as much goodwill as they can get if their business is to flourish in today’s market.

In the impersonal computer age it goes a long way when we take a more personal approach to our customers. The human touch is so much more welcome for having become such an infrequent occurrence and you will be heads above your competitors by providing that touch. Taking the time to let your customers know that you are aware of how much they have contributed to your success is an easy step. Sit down and send corporate holiday cards and you have taken a huge step towards great customer service.

Business Christmas Cards, February and a Groundhog Named Punxsutawney Phil

One doesn’t normally think about business Christmas cards in February. February brings visions of snowflakes and candy hearts for Valentine’s Day. However, the mild temperatures are making the predictions of one certain Pennsylvania groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, seem silly. Six more weeks of winter? If it continues like this, everyone will welcome it!

So with a prediction of six more weeks of winter, it turns my mind to Christmas cards in February. There are many reasons to order your cards early. One of the best reasons is that because this is the off season, cards are offered at greater discounts. This is a winning situation for both business and customer. Employers are able to keep employees productive and customers reap the benefit of lower costs. Ordering early also gives you the best selection of cards. When waiting until peak season to order, you run the risk of that special card being sold out. During the holiday season we usually feel rushed with way too many things to do. Before you know it, you are in complete panic mode and wondering how you are going to get everything done.

While everyone else is scrambling in November to get their Christmas card order in, you can devote your time to other important matters. Just don’t forget where you stored your cards!

Can You Receive Too Many Company Christmas Cards?

I don’t think it’s possible that anyone could receive too many Christmas wishes.  With so many families separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles, cards are the main way we are able to personalize and send greetings.  My holiday was brightened tremendously by  not only receiving  a card from my distant family, but also company Christmas cards from a local ‘mom and pop’  hardware store that I shopped frequently when I lived in that town.   Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope to find a Christmas card complete with a picture of the store and the owners who still run the place inside.  The greeting was, “We all miss you here, but wish you well as you embark on your life journey”.   I have to admit, it made me quite homesick for a while, but as far as cards go, I’d have to say that one is my favorite.  I plan on keeping it out all year for motivation and inspiration to follow my dreams.

In my opinion, it’s great to receive these types of cards. Even if you receive business Christmas cards that aren’t as personal as mine was, you can be sure that the company behind them values you as a customer or colleague and truly does whish you and yours well.  After all, isn’t that what the holidays are about?

‘Twas Right Before Christmas

‘Twas right before Christmas, when all thro’ the place
The workers were working at such a great pace;
The typists were typing the papers with care,
The phones were a’ringing, their sound filled the air;
The clerks were nestled all snug at their desks,
With visions of Turkeys still so picturesque.

And Fran at the copier and I at the file
decided to have coffee in just a short while;
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
We sprang to the doorway to see what was the matter;
When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But the boss his arms waving, his look full of fear.
More rapid than eagles his voice how it came
As he shouted and called us all by our name,
Now, Mary, now, Fran, now Alex and Brian
Up Gert and Up Greta Up Al and Up Simon.
To the conference room quick there’s no time like now
He said, “This problem is bringing a frown to my brow”.
Thanksgiving has passed and December is here
And our Christmas cards order is too late I do fear
What can we do? We’ll put our heads together
so as a team this crisis we’ll weather.

So off to the computers with all speed we did fly
To search all the sites in the Internet sky,
And there to our wearying eyes did we find
A website that had many choices for our bind.
There photo cards, business cards of choices a slew
There were trees, bells, snowflakes and ornaments too.
We pondered, we argued and then we decided
on the card where both business and thank you resided
Off again we did run, our selection to toss
With enthusiastic teamwork straight out to our boss.
A wink of his eye and a toss of his head
soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word but to his desk he did dash
Ordering our Business Christmas cards in a flash.
But we heard him exclaim as he ran out of sight,
We’ll wish all a Happy Christmas to our customer’s delight.

Remember Customers With Business Christmas Cards During Tough Economic Times

So you think not sending business Christmas cards this year is a good way to help save money in this recession? Think again! Now is not the time to cut back on your advertising. Sending Christmas cards is one of the best ways to increase your company’s visibility in a most economical way. In fact, now is the time to increase your mailing list. The companies that will make it through these tough times the best are those that are able to retain as many clients as possible, and sending cards is one of the best ways to accomplish that. Send Christmas cards, send Thanksgiving cards, send birthday cards – all of these will make a big impact on your recipients.

Not sure which cards will have the most impact? It’s really not that tough, just try to decide on the overall message you want to convey. The Gallery Collection offers a great array of designs from traditional to light-hearted, so you really can’t go wrong. We’ve even categorized the offerings to make your choice as easy as possible. You’ll see categories for Business, Personal, Themed, etc. You can choose whether you prefer to say Merry Christmas or a more generic Season’s Greetings wish. You can show your clients that you care about our environment by choosing a card from our Eco-Friendly category. You can’t go wrong with whichever design you choose, but you can go wrong if you don’t send your corporate Christmas cards. And remember, if you ignore your customers, they will go away!

Tis The Season For Business Christmas Cards

Tis another Holiday Season before us …Bah Humbug! Another year of  business Christmas cards. It seems like the same old cards get sent year after year. But alas! I actually received  beautiful corporate Christmas cards from a company I had done business with in the past. It was one of the most intricate pieces of art I have seen in a long time. I sat back in my easy chair, read the card, and held onto every word. These days it seems that everyone is way too busy to really embrace the holidays, especially in the business world. So when I received my Christmas card I was thrilled to see that although I had not done business with them for a while they still took the time to remember me.

I was so excited about my receiving my Christmas card that I nearly forgot about all my family members coming to celebrate the holidays with me later that evening. I knew I had to get ready and had just remembered that I forgot to pick up the traditional holiday centerpiece for my table. I would have to think of something, and fast. There was no time to run back out. I hurried to gather everything needed for a warm and inviting family gathering, the fireplace was lit, the hors d’oeuvres were placed strategically around the table, the wine was chilling, Christmas lights and decor flavored the room, and the centerpiece of it all…. my business Christmas card!

Work Appropriate Secret Santa Ideas

I don’t know about you, but I have always had a hard time picking out holiday gifts for my co-workers. Last year, when the Secret Santa rolled around to me, I picked the name of someone I barely knew. That’s when I started re-thinking office Secret Santa gifts. I have always helped pick out our business Christmas cards, as I love the Christmas season, but the Secret Santa puzzle was turning me into a Grinch. I started to think about gift card ideas. I came up with a few versatile places that suited most people. Then I thought maybe I could get a small gift from the place as well as a gift card. After some serious thought, this is my list of Secret Santa gift ideas that suit (almost) everyone and aren’t too hard on the wallet:

•    Café gift – a gift card to a coffee shop, a small packet of tea or coffee, all packaged nicely into a beautiful mug
•    Foodie gift – a gift card to either a restaurant or a unique food store, a small package of food (i.e. cheese and crackers, or cookies), packed together in a basket
•    Music gift – an iTunes or record store gift card, a Holiday mix CD (They’re sold at bookstores and online, or you can make one yourself!), packed together in a music-themed gift bag
•    Library gift – a bookstore or Amazon gift card, a copy of either a cool book or magazine, tied together with a beautiful Holiday ribbon

One of the additions I made to these gifts was to use a copy of our business Christmas cards to hold the gift card. This way, I didn’t have to spend extra money on a card I wouldn’t be sending. It turned out that the card was the thing everyone remarked about, saying it was such a personal touch to give one of our cards to a co-worker. I don’t know if she ever used the gift, but she kept the card at her desk for months!

Design 734CW – Lyrical Tree Christmas Card

The Gallery Collection has done it again! Just when you think they can’t get any better they come up with vertical business Christmas cards. Design 734CW – Lyrical Tree Christmas Card is just one example of the beautiful designs available. The design is a mix of litho and foil printed on Mohawk Smooth White; this card stock is FSC certified paper so not only is it a very clever card it is eco-friendly. Business Christmas cards always stand out in a crowd of other cards, but now with vertical they can also stand above the rest.

Design 734CW – Lyrical Tree Christmas Card, is exactly that, lyrics to the Christmas carols “Deck the Halls” and “Oh, Christmas Tree” which are printed as if the words were ribbon-swirling back and forth to become the shape of a Christmas tree. The lyrics are decorated with bright gold foil ornaments which are embossed to make them really pop.

Design 734CW - Lyrical Tree Christmas Card
Design 734CW - Lyrical Tree
Christmas Card

We all know how important it is to send Christmas cards to the loyal people that support our businesses throughout the year, and it is equally important to send the best quality cards around!