Tag: business greeting cards

Corporate Greeting Cards Give Your Business A Personal Touch

Have you ever worked for a business that gave its employees corporate greeting cards? I have. I enjoyed receiving a special card on my birthday, filled with signatures of people I worked for. I loved opening up my Thanksgiving and holiday cards. It made me feel valued. Appreciated. I knew I was not just a number; I was someone they took pride in being able to call an employee. Because of that, I knew how important little things, such as greeting cards, meant for a successful business.

A few years ago, I decided to venture into the world of real estate. As many independent contractors and business owners know, it’s crucial to build a positive rapport with clients for referral business. While working with buyers and sellers, I made it a priority to get to know my clients. I kept a log of all their birthdays. I wrote down their “Home” Anniversary.  My list grew longer and longer, as did my need to send out greeting cards on a weekly basis! Thank You cards, holiday cards, employee anniversary cards; you name it— I send them out very often.

Referral business is important, but clients like to know they are working with genuine individuals. Because I take time out of my busy day to remember the people that helped me succeed, I’ve been able to continue doing what I love. However, it’s not just about the business itself; it’s about the relationships which simple gestures, such as business greeting cards, create. For all of this, I have to thank the company I once worked for. I’ve never forgotten how valued I felt from tearing an envelope to find a special greeting card waiting for me.

Business Greeting Cards Can Enhance Your Reputation

A simple and inexpensive way to get noticed and remembered is to send business greeting cards to clients, patrons, customers, and patients. And don’t forget how useful they can be for co-workers and employees.

My company gives all of its employee’s really nice custom greeting cards for their birthday every year. This year they made them even more special by adding a note at the bottom of the card saying, “Bring to HR & receive two movie tickets.”

Alright, a trip to the Caribbean might have been more exciting, but a free evening at the movies was a thoughtful and unexpected gesture – especially with today’s economy – and it made each of us feel appreciated and valued. It’s nice to know that our employer continues to be interested in our having enjoyable lives outside of work.

This morning, I was telling my next door neighbor about my birthday card and movie tickets, and she very enthusiastically had to tell me about a special greeting card she had recently received. It was a thinking of you card from her surgeon, which arrived a few days after she returned home from the hospital. It said he appreciated her choosing him and reminded her that he and his staff are dedicated to her speedy recovery and are available to her any time.

The card was a welcome surprise, lifting her spirits and making her smile. She’s now his biggest fan and all her friends at the weekly Senior Citizens Club have all heard how remarkable he is. It’s enhanced his reputation and made his name more well-known. I’m sure he’ll be at the top of the list of any one of them needing surgery in the future.

Especially in today’s world of emails and tweets, sending business greeting cards can have a great impact and leave a lasting impression.

Business Birthday Cards Add A Personal Touch

What use do we have for business birthday cards? In this day and age of immediacy things are done so instantly. We order food and it’s ready in less than three minutes and that includes the time we take to pay for the meal. We write others and no longer does it take a few days to get the folded letter but we have it instantly in front of us with the help of email, sometimes bold and full of color. We text each other to the tune of 30 words or more per minute, and that’s not even words written in full text! What chance do business greeting cards have up against these things that are done at the speed of light?

I say they have a great chance! They have a chance to show that you took time out to care; you took time out to appreciate by purchasing a greeting card and all that is involved with that process. It goes a long way in terms of showing how much you think of someone.

Well of course they are not sent or received instantly, but that is exactly what sets them apart. The time it takes, and the cost to make what you are trying to say…that’s the added personal touch that makes business birthday cards so special.

Gain the Competitive Edge with Business Greeting Cards

My husband’s financial management company lets him know that his business and loyalty are appreciated by sending him handsome business greeting cards every year for the holidays. His personal advisor usually adds a note and hand signs it above the company’s logo. They always wish him all things good for the coming New Year and when he receives it, the gesture reminds him that he is thought of and valued.

Law firms and insurance companies, accountants, banks and credit unions along with medical practices, hospitals and others in the health care field can all reach out to their clients and patients in a simple, inexpensive but thoughtful way. Besides using them for the holidays, greeting cards for business can be sent for birthdays and anniversaries. They can be used to offer sympathy or get well wishes, as well as to convey congratulations or a special thank you.

Sending greeting cards is a great way for small businesses to show appreciation to existing customers or appeal to potential ones. Landscapers, auto mechanics, spas and beauty salons, real estate professionals, tradesmen and suppliers can all use custom greeting cards to stay in touch with those who are important to the success of their business.

Restaurants, retailers and service industries can all keep their name in front of the public as well as make special promotional offers to their regular patrons. Schools, colleges and universities can use them to stay in contact with their students, alumni and supporters. Greeting cards for business can strengthen ties and bolster good will.

I’m sure you can think of several ways you could use them to maintain or grow your client base, or to promote your new or existing business. Today’s economy requires special measures and extra effort to gain the competitive edge. Business greeting cards are a proven tool of success for companies of all sizes.

Business Greeting Cards Help Erase Employee Dissatisfaction

Business greeting cards may have taken a back seat on the list of high importance when companies are considering what cuts should be made to the yearly budget. However, when the cost of sending a greeting card is analyzed, it is a small amount to spend. It can be a small price to pay to convey to the recipient that they are truly appreciated. It shows that one is remembered throughout the year. Not just when one is actually purchasing or utilizing a product or service, but all of the time. In these crazy economic times, an under appreciated customer or client can spell doom.

Now let’s take a look at employee birthday cards. How much importance do we place on this? I would venture to guess that it is probably not enough. The thought is that an employee should just be happy to have a job. This is true enough. But please consider this recent news headline – Americans’ Job Satisfaction Falls to Record Low. The article states that only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their work. In 2008 that number was 49%. Ok, that’s only a 4% drop. However, in 1987 the number of satisfied workers was 61%. The article goes on to list some of the reasons for the drop, such as the jobs are not interesting, incomes have not kept up with inflation, and the increasing cost of insurance cutting into take home pay.

There are some things that can’t be controlled. Inflation and insurance costs are all but impossible to fix. Companies can’t stop inflation or the increasing cost of insurance. Companies can however, do some small things that can take a bite out of this growing trend of dissatisfaction. You know, lessen the sting a little bit. By recognizing an employee’s birthday or anniversary, we are letting them know that although we are all trying to work through these trying times, they are truly and sincerely appreciated.

Ok, sending employee birthday cards is but a small thing, but small gestures can go a long way in boosting employee moral. Not showing appreciation will not help the company in the least, whether it is a customer or employee. Imagine if you will, that only 45% of your customers are satisfied. It’s a sobering thought. Any successful company knows that appreciated employees will go the extra mile, even in tough times. They will also stick with you when the tough times are over!

Turn Competitors Into Colleagues With Corporate Greeting Cards

Smart business owners send their employees greeting cards.  This lets them know that they are a valuable part of the company, not just another worker.  Smarter business owners send corporate greeting cards to other businesses.  This allows them to create relationships, enhance good will within a community, and ultimately expand their business.

As a retired business owner I found that putting in a little extra effort in the beginning will always pay dividends in the end.  Taking the time to send simple business greeting cards to your neighboring companies can go a long way.  It’s the first step in opening the doors to a relationship, friendship, or perhaps even future partnership.

For example, let’s say you’re a bar owner and a new restaurant opens around the block.  Some people view this as a new competitor.  I see it as a new opportunity to increase your business.  Undoubtedly, new potential consumers will be visiting your area.  Instead of fighting over these customers you can share them.  Pursue an opportunity to create a deal such as a “Friday Night Out”, where if they go to dinner at the new restaurant they receive a coupon for a free drink at your bar that evening.  Most business owners love finding innovative ways to attract new customers.  But remember the key to building these relationships ultimately starts with a greeting.  Take the advantage of the opportunity to send business to business greeting cards.  Trust me; a little effort will go a long way.

How To Write Calligraphy – A Lost Art

There is something romantic about taking the time to write out a card in calligraphy. The defining characteristics of calligraphy are beautiful handwriting, elegant penmanship, style of handwriting and beauty of a line. But it is more than just a combination of all those things. It is an art and skill that involves touch, pressure, hand movement and flow. Both beauty and grace can become a mastery of work to be proud of. It is also an excellent way to add a special touch to your business greeting cards. With a little practice you can form delicate lettering for an elegant touch.

With a few tools, practice and patience you can create your very own work of art. Open up your creative juices and follow these easy steps. Think of all the cards, invitations and heartfelt letters you can compose. Before you get started you will need the following items.

Felt tip pen/calligraphy pen– convenient, disposable, does not need to be dipped in ink. The tip is broad and flat instead of round.
Fountain pen – refillable, long lasting, dipped in ink. The nib grade fits into slot and holds the ink.
Steel point pen – inked with dropper, creates fine detail, tip needs replacement.
Old Fashioned Quill pen – cut off end to an angle, dipped in ink.

You will notice the calligraphy pen/felt tip pen is slanted at an angle. This allows for narrow or thick lines. As we flatten the angle, the lines get wider. This is the basis of Calligraphy. Choose what you are comfortable with and try different ones as you feel more confident. Use different ink colors to fit what you are working on. These items are available at your local craft/art store.

You will also need fair quality paper. To practice any paper will do. As you progress you might want to go for a thicker quality of paper. Try even using a lined or graph paper to make use of a straight line and height. Good lighting is also important. Have a desk lamp on to make sure you are well lighted. If available, a slanted desk seems to work best. If not, any flat surface will do. Now you are ready to begin.

Calligraphy for Business Greeting Cards

Get used to the pen you are working with. Practice different angles without touching the pen to paper yet. Hold the pen at a 45 degree angle. Use your arm not your fingers to apply pressure. Keep the pen at a constant angle. Lead the tip making sure not to press too hard into the paper. Point the tip in the same direction unchanging the angle diagonally away from you. Start with the letters A-D paying attention to height and spacing. Practice lower and upper case. Feel the flow and angle of the pen lightly touching the paper. Sharpen straight up and down strokes, vertical and horizontally. With a bit of repetition anyone can add that special touch to a simple piece of paper. Just give it a try and find the artist in you.  Remember all it takes is practice and patience.

Moms, Manners, and Corporate Thank You Cards

When I was a little girl, my mother not only taught my siblings and me manners, she insisted on us using them. From as far back as I can remember, she never let us get away without using them. Oh, Dad contributed to these life lessons as well, but it was Mom who was the diligent enforcer of the rules. Saying “Thank you” was just as important as “Please,” “May I,” or “Excuse me.” Thank you was a way to acknowledge that you appreciated what the person had done for you. What does this have to do with corporate thank you cards you might ask? Just think how you feel when you have taken the time to do something for someone and they don’t even acknowledge it. You might think it was a waste of time and why would you bother to do anything else. In business, that is the last message we want to convey. Whether or not it is an employee or a business associate makes no difference. Everyone wants and needs to be appreciated.

Now I’m not saying that if one doesn’t receive a thank you note every time that they do something, they won’t do it again. What I am saying is, knowing that someone has taken the time to show that they have noticed your efforts will go a long way in the goodwill department.

My mother used to have a saying (and I bet your mother did too) – You will catch more bees with honey….you know the rest. What applies in your personal world applies in the corporate world. Now more than ever, it is important to apply all of those life lessons that our mothers tried so hard to instill in us. Although my mother is no longer with us, I am grateful everyday that she took the time to ensure that manners became a part of my everyday world. I don’t have to think about it. It is a part of my everyday. It’s as natural as brushing my teeth.

Although not limited to thank you cards, keeping a supply of business greeting cards on hand is one of the best ways to convey your message. Having a supply on hand ensures that you will always have a card ready to go, for any occasion.

Design 295AR – Still Life: Vase with Oleanders and Books

Vincent Van Gogh painted this breathtaking oil on canvas in 1888 and over 100 years later it is still brilliant. Design 295AR – Still Life: Vase with Oleanders and Books, takes this masterpiece and creates stunning business greeting cards. There is no sentiment on the front of the card so it has a multitude of uses; thank you, sympathy, get well or birthday. It can also be used as a general purpose note card, one that anybody would be happy to receive.

The appeal of Design 295AR lies in the graceful beauty and serenity of the oleanders. It is a greeting card so calming and pleasant to look at that you may want to frame it and keep it on display the whole year through.

Design 295AR - Still Life: Vase with Oleanders and Books
Design 295AR - Still Life: Vase with Oleanders and Books

Correspondence Note Cards Take the Pressure out of Business Writing

Business greeting cards have been a wonderfully light-handed way to keep my business in the minds of clients and potential clients. Sometimes, however, I’ve wanted to present a crisper look that focused more on my message than on an attractive card design. Finally…I found a perfect solution with correspondence note cards.

As a kid, reading books and watching movies set in somewhat earlier (and to me, more refined) times, I was strongly impressed with mentions of calling cards and hand-delivered missives thoughtfully scripted on quality stationery. In these stories, it was clear that a person’s character was often judged on their mastery of these social graces. My aspiration to this sort of sophistication seemed thwarted by ever more casual attitudes in everyday life; even in business the attitude of “whatever…” seemed to be replacing “service-with-a-smile” and common courtesy.

Lately, and with greater frequency, I’ve been hearing that the bright side of the current economic recession is that careless businesses will fold and only the strong will survive, making for a stronger economy with better products and services. If that viewpoint makes you cry “ouch,” it may be time to refine your business practices, to work harder and smarter. It has had that effect on me.

A phone call may interrupt a client’s workday at an inconvenient time, if you even find that person in. An email is easily deleted, if it’s even read at all. Mailed ads are hard-sell, easily tossed aside. The same can be said for the form letters I receive, where my name and address is clearly just an insert. Why waste my time and attention on these when the sender couldn’t be bothered to invest time and attention to communicate specifically to my needs?

These new correspondence note cards from The Gallery Collection have such a classy look and feel! I keep them right on my desk top so I can jot my notes immediately as the thought occurs to me. They have my name professionally printed at the top so I can sign my notes with just my first name for a more personal touch. My name and handwritten note can be seen as soon as the note card is lifted from its fine quality envelope. I know it’s being looked at when the recipient is ready and open to my message. I know it’s subliminally telling the recipient that I value their relationship enough to communicate, on a one-on-one basis, a thought or plan or offer that is specifically for them. The presentation of my message tells them that it is worthy of their attention. And I’ll bet it doesn’t wind up in their waste basket!