‘Tis the season for holiday cards! And it’s not just your overachieving friends and distant relatives that want to send out season’s greetings this year.
Businesses are now expected to show their holiday cheer via a seasonal card.
I am all for company cards, but I believe there is a set of do’s and dont’s that should be followed. If your company is seeking my approval (which I sincerely hope you are), then take these tips to heart and make the season merry and bright.
Here are 11 do's and don'ts for making merry masterpieces for your business this holiday season.
1. DO
Make your company card personal and put some thought into the message / picture. A good way to achieve this is by using a picture that highlights your awesome staff!
Consider having everyone dress up in their favorite holiday sweater and taking a photo in front of your office. It makes your card so much more personal and it demonstrates how much you've grown in the past year.
2. DON’T
Send out a generic holiday card that gets tossed in the garbage the second it arrives. I get it. Generic is easy. It's so much more simple to print off a pre-made card than to get everyone together for a photoshoot. But if you're investing the time and postage into holiday cards, you might as well give them a little thought.
3. DO
Take into consideration the holiday message that will most resonate with your audience. If you truly have a mixed bag of nuts, maybe “Happy Holidays” is your best bet. But if the holiday most celebrated by your audience is Christmas, then stick to the traditional Christmas greeting.
4. DON’T
Use the phrase “Xmas.” It’s either viewed as offensive or lazy. Either way, your company isn’t winning, so X out the Xmas.
5. DO
Send your holiday card to your clients (and potential clients), friends and staff. Show people you're thinking of them by including them in your holiday card list. That said, you probably don't want to send cards to former clients who ended on a bad note. The holidays are awkward enough as-is.
6. DON’T
On that note, don't bulk-mail your holiday card to everyone under the sun. If they don’t have a relationship with your company, they don’t need a card. We don’t want to look needy now, do we?
7. DO
Put some thought into the design and layout of your card. Hiring a professional designer to make the card for you isn’t a bad idea either! Or you can use tools like Shutterfly or Adobe Stock to create one-of-a-kind designs that match the style and heart of your business.
8. DON’T
Send a holiday card that is obviously picked from the 50% off templates on VistaPrint. We've all done it, but it's definitely not winning you any brownie points with the send-ee.
9. DO
Spend the extra money on a nice cardstock for your holiday card. If you print your card on a thick, textured paper, it feels twice as valuable and professional. Even if you choose a simple design for your card, this trick can help it look like a million bucks.
10. DON’T
Send out holiday cards on a paper the equivalent to tissue paper. Nobody likes a cheapskate over the holidays. Also, there's a greater chance that your card will tear in the post.
And last, but certainly not least…
11. DO
Make your greeting sincere. Your audience truly cares about your company and wants to receive your holiday card. A sincere message can leave a good impression and make them feel valued as a customer, client, friend or family member.
Follow these do’s and dont's and your company greeting card is sure to shine brighter than a Christmas tree in Who-Ville!
