The Power of a Personal Touch
Hallmark Business Expressions offers tips to make the most of
holiday business greeting cards

(Kansas City, Mo. - Nov. 1, 2007) With an estimated 50 - 60 percent of businesses expected to send holiday cards this year, many recognize that sending a personal greeting card can make a lasting impression. For some companies, however, the holidays are the only time of year when they reach out to the people that matter most to their business with a greeting card.

“Everyone likes to receive greeting cards during the holiday season,” said Marc Wagenheim, product marketing director for Hallmark Business Expressions. “But a holiday business greeting card done right will strengthen the personal relationship with each customer and also reflect the company’s brand, values and culture.”

Whether it’s a large multinational corporation or a small business, organizations of all sizes can use the following tips to help the holiday cards they send make a lasting impression.

1. Be the early bird. One of the best ways to get attention is to be first to send your holiday greeting. Consider mailing cards just before Thanksgiving to ensure your good wishes are delivered before the recipients take time off or the company closes for the holidays.
2. Choose carefully. Your holiday greeting card should reflect your company’s image and values. Choose a message that sounds like something you’d say to your customers, but keep messages brief and secular unless you are certain of the recipient’s religious faith. Remember, your card may be displayed in the office, so it needs to be appropriate for others to see.
3. First class all the way.  Mail cards first class to ensure cards are delivered or forwarded to the correct location. And use real postage stamps. This will prevent your card from looking like it was part of a mass mailing.
   
4. Send to individuals. In addition to sending one greeting card to an entire company, consider sending cards to the individuals you work with directly. This lets each person you work with know you value him or her as an individual.
5. Business or personal? If you are sending holiday wishes to business associates, it is most appropriate to mail the card to a business address. However, if you are friends socially or have met the recipient’s spouse or significant other, you can send the card to his or her home.
6. First impressions count. Make sure you spell the recipient’s name and company correctly. Always use titles, such as Mr., Mrs. and Dr. For female business associates, the standard title used in the United States is “Ms.” unless the recipient has a professional title or indicates another preference.
7. Give ‘em your John Hancock. Even if your name is preprinted on the card, make sure to sign your name in ink. If several members of your team work with the recipient, have them sign the card as well.
8. Make it personal.  The goal is to make the greeting personal, so if you can add a simple handwritten message, such as “We appreciate your business,” you’ll let the customer know how much you value the relationship. It sends the message that you took the extra time to write something because that person is important to you and your business.
9. Hand-address the envelope. Computer-generated labels are impersonal and make your holiday cards look like a mass mailing. If your company has a large quantity of cards to mail, consider hiring a hand-addressing service, such as the one offered by Hallmark Business Expressions. For a small additional charge, the cost is well worth the convenience and the warm impression it leaves with your customers.
10. Return the gesture. If you receive a holiday card, follow up by sending a holiday card, writing a note or giving the sender a quick phone call. This is another opportunity to let the customer know you appreciated the card and appreciate his or her business.
11. It’s never too late. There’s never a bad time to send a greeting card to a customer.  And if you aren’t able to send a greeting card for the December holiday season, don’t worry. New Year’s is another perfect opportunity to thank customers for their business and wish them a successful new year.

About Hallmark Business Expressions
Hallmark Business Expressions helps businesses cultivate relationships using greeting cards to communicate with key customers, prospects, employees and donors. Serving a wide variety of companies, from the Fortune 100 to small businesses, Hallmark Business Expressions provides distinctive ways to stay in touch and make a lasting impression. The company offers a full line of Everyday and Holiday greeting cards for businesses and a variety of personalization and mailing services at http://www.BusinessGreetings.com.  The company also offers custom design services for customers who require a unique card to meet a specific business objective.

Created by the company that has helped people express themselves for nearly a century, Hallmark Business Expressions offers businesses that same knowledge and expertise in business greeting cards. Hallmark Business Expressions is a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.