Are Christmas cards on your list?

How do you feel about writing your Christmas cards? For many, including the team at ET, it’s not something we particularly look forward to – it’s hard work and it takes ages.

But when it comes to sending out something to your contacts and clients at this time of year are Christmas cards on your list?

When we’re talking to our clients, we often find this is an area up for discussion; exactly what do you send to your contacts and clients at Christmas?

Cards are not necessarily appreciated as they once were and obviously they’re not very environmentally friendly and personalised gifts can be expensive. Here are our top ideas of what you could send:

1. Your clients may well appreciate a very personal email from you at Christmas time, thanking them for doing business with you throughout the year and wishing them all the best for 2017. We’re not talking a MailChimp type email here; we’re talking a very personal one to one email between you and them.

2. An alte
ative to actual Christmas cards might be a Christmas e-card. Sites such as Jacqui Lawson cards, Doozy Cards or Hallmark e-cards might be a great choice. They can be expensive but worth that personal touch.

3. Just want to send an email out? Yes, this could be a simple ‘Happy Christmas’ but you can also compose quizzes, find some Christmas games to send or even a picture of your whole team can work well, especially if you’re all dressed in your favourite Christmas jumper.

4. Have a stack of pre-written cards signed by your whole team with a blank envelope. If you’re going to out to see a client or they’re visiting you, quickly write one out and give it to them. Having a stack of mince pies ready and waiting would not be unwelcome.

5. A great way to get all your clients together might be an ‘Open House Morning’ with minced pies and (non-alcoholic) mulled wine. It’s a nice way to thank your clients for their business throughout the year.

6. Donations to charities have become very popular over the last few years and could be a way to fit in your values and environmentally friendly policy.

7. A final idea is that Christmas is a great time to go and visit your clients personally. Even if you just take a Christmas card and a mince pie with you, they’ll really appreciate it.

Whatever you decide to do, now’s the time to start planning for what you’re going to do. If you need any help with your ‘Christmas cards’ or indeed your marketing for next year, please feel free to contact us on 01386 298 042 or email me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk