Christmas and Holiday Cards: Make it Personal

It's here again. December. The month when companies make an effort to thank and acknowledge their customers, clients, vendors and employees.

Unfortunately, the 'to-do' of getting a Christmas card out the door or a small gift of appreciation is thrown in among the other million things that must be accomplished at year end.

Here are a couple of points to remember when sending out your company card

Make it personal. Keep the correspondence as personal as you can. If you are sending out a card via mail, have the person who works most often with that client add a personal note. It doesn't have to be long, just relevant. If you choose to send out an email, use personalization strings to individualize the mass communication and add a video element from your CEO. This can be done very inexpensively with a Flip video or partnering with a company like Cantaloupe.

Here is an example of an e-holiday card I received today. The communication is tasteful, but may have had more impact with video or a personalized note embedded.

When you click, it goes to this link

Keep it on Brand. Your holiday card is part of your brand image and should reflect the personality, values and essence of your organization. It is important that this touch-point build upon the visual and verbal branding of your company as well.

That's Good HR, a permanent and temporary staffing company and client of our Indianapolis based marketing firm, Element Three, is taking a very on-brand approach to their Holiday card. Their card is a tongue-and-cheek resume of Mrs. Clause and her qualifications for jobs outside of the Christmas season. After they send it out (I don't want to steal their thunder) I will be sure to upload a .pdf for everyone to see.

Keep in mind these two simple rules and you will have greater impact with your 2009 Holiday/Christmas card.

I would love to see your company's card - upload a .pdf or link and we'll be sure to take a look!