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.

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!

Give Your Holiday Cards A Chance!

I’m not a sentimental person. In fact, my co-workers would be more likely to describe me as a cynic by nature; always playing “devil’s advocate”. Holiday cards meant little to me, especially the ones from my employer. I always thought they were just an attempt to get everyone to work harder.

I changed my mind last Christmas.

It was a snowy morning, and it had been snowing much of the night. I was just getting around to opening the mail from the previous day, and had one envelope in my hand as I looked out my back window at the falling snow. The landscape was bleak. An ominous sky, deep snow, icy bare trees. A scrawny evergreen provided the only sign of life. I opened the envelope in my hand and it was this year’s corporate Christmas card. Without thinking I took minute to look at it. On glossy white paper was a photo of a brilliant red Cardinal on an evergreen branch. It was in an embossed “window-like” frame, with sparkling snow falling and a simple “Season’s Greetings”. A classic and timeless scene: the beauty of nature braving the harshness of winter.

Then, I had to smile. When I looked out the window again, there was a hardy Northern Cardinal in the evergreen, brightening up the yard…and my day. The card in my hand had come to life! I’ve been singing a different tune ever since. Maybe I am just a little bit sentimental after all…  Live and learn!

Corporate Christmas Cards: Employee Edition

Corporate Christmas cards help spread holiday cheer to clients and patrons alike. And they can be good for business too, seeing as they are a great way to advertise. But during the holiday season, it’s a good idea to share some of that Christmas cheer with the people who help make your business possible—your dedicated employees!

I’ve been working retail the past three years, and, most of the time; it feels like a thankless job. Let’s be honest, there isn’t much glamour in cleaning out messy fitting rooms. And sometimes, customers can be rather…interesting, to put it nicely. It’s hard not to feel like just another cog in this well-oiled machine, being that I have sales goals to hit, and levels of service to reach. Every day. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. The under-appreciated life of a sales clerk.

But there is hope! I work for a company that sends out company holiday cards. My bosses take the time to show us that they do value the work we do, and sometimes, all it takes is a small token of appreciation to help you make it through the day. And they don’t just stop at holiday cards. I’ve also received cards for my birthday, and one card every year for my job anniversary. It’s nice to know I work for a company that cares about me.

The Many Reasons to Send Business Holiday Cards

In this age of political correctness where we have to decide between Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas, it may be tempting to forget about the practice altogether. I submit to you that no matter what your message there is always a good reason to send corporate Christmas cards. Our customers and clients, or just those people or organizations that are dear to our heart, remember the little ways you say thank you to them. Sending holiday cards is one way to do that with class and elegance.

While everyone is debating over how to say it, just make sure it gets said! The holidays are such a time of thanksgiving and sharing that it is always appropriate to show those who help your business run that you appreciate everything they do for you.

To everyone out there who isn’t sure what holiday greetings to send, do not let the debate over the message prevent you from spreading your cheer. The message that you appreciate your business relationships and that you were thinking of them during the holidays is one that will always be appreciated.

An Unlikely Testimonial For Holiday Cards

It may seem strange, but I’m really looking forward to my employer’s holiday cards this year. Especially the Christmas selection.

In most workplaces getting Christmas cards from the boss is nice but hardly a cause for excitement. The sentiment is appreciated but… corporate Christmas cards are so often colorless and boring and a little cold. Why bother? I used to say take that money and put it in my paycheck!

That all changed last year when my company started getting their cards from the Gallery Collection. Design 822CX – Shimmering Skyline Card, was a real stunner of a card. An artist’s vision of a glimmering city skyline against a dark blue night sky, with windows glittering as if lit, and glistening snow swirling in the air. It was a card worthy of a frame.

So I started wondering which one my employer would send this year. If anyone had told me that corporate Christmas cards would ever be worthy of any kind of testimonial, I’m sure I would have laughed. But it’s no joke. Sending a card can be more than just an impersonal formality. If your boss chooses the right card, it can really add to the joy of the season.

Why Should I Wait To Order My Holiday Cards?

I always like to get things done early.  In college I was never that person to pull an all nighter to finish up a paper…I had it printed out days before it was due. Everything in my house needs to be in order hours, not minutes, before company arrives. Because of this, it came as no surprise to my business partners when I suggested we order our holiday cards in June. Sure, most people wait until the temperature drops below 80 to even begin thinking about this, but I figured, why not get them now?  That way if someone sends out the same cards as me, I can be sure I got them first!  The nice summer sales on holiday cards are good reasons as well.

To tell the truth…it’s not just because of my “Get things done early” nature that has me purchasing our corporate Christmas cards in June.  It’s part of it, but there is something else.  The holidays are my favorite time of the year.  I wish everyone had the Christmas spirit all year round.  By ordering my cards in June, I get a little bit of that feeling again.  Looking around at all the holiday images gives me a little taste of what I can expect come November and December.  Something about Santas, Christmas trees, and snow just puts me in a good mood.  I even once had the urge to send out mid-year Christmas cards just to see what kind of reaction I would get.  That idea was one my business partners were able to talk me out of, however.  Well, I’m still glad to say my 2011 corporate Christmas cards are ordered and I plan to have them written out by the end of the summer.  As to when I actually send them out…that’s not decided yet.  I think around Thanksgiving sounds nice.

A Corporate Christmas Card Is All It Took

As the owner of a small business, having to make tough decisions is almost a daily occurrence. Whether it be hiring new employees or buying expensive equipment, the need to weigh options is always there. Imagine my stress when I had to decide between two very similar companies to act as my accountant. They had similar prices and each had a unique set of benefits to offer. How would I decide which one to choose? What happens if I make the wrong decision? Luckily, one of the companies made my decision a little bit easier when they sent me beautiful corporate Christmas cards during the holiday season. This small act meant the world to me. Just by sending me a card they showed that they cared about having my business. I was important enough for them to take the time to send me holiday greetings.

Cards are such a great way to keep in touch or show another person or company that they are important to you. In this case, the Christmas card was enough to tell me that, with all other things being equal, this company would be the better choice to do my accounting.

I have now taken their lead and begun sending out cards of my own to all of my business contacts. It is always a great feeling when I get phone calls from these contacts just to thank me for sending out Christmas cards. It lets me know that these cards are making a real impact. It really doesn’t take much to show other people that their business means a lot to you. A simple phone call or hand written letter is all it could take sometimes. In this case, a Christmas card at the right time was enough to start off a wonderful business relationship.

Design #684CX – Merry Christmas Traditions Holiday Card

If you’re looking for classy corporate Christmas cards but are more traditional in nature, design #684CX, Merry Christmas Traditions Holiday Card, may be to your liking. It features a festively decorated Christmas tree adorned with thin gold and silver garland, gold ornaments, and blue ribbons with a large blue Christmas bow atop the highest branch. The artistry is so detailed that you can identify each of the tree’s emerald needles. A slew of blue and gold wrapped presents are lined up beneath the evergreen, just waiting to be opened, and the gold foil sentiment “Merry Christmas” appears above and to the left in a graceful script font. You can just make out the embossed outline of a banister curving upward behind the foliage.

Design #684CX - Merry Christmas Traditions Holiday Card
Design #684CX - Merry Christmas Traditions Holiday Card

This is an ideal card to send to friends and to any customers who celebrate the Christmas holiday. The image will take recipients back to the days of those first magical childhood Christmases.