By designing your company’s holiday cards yourself, you can strengthen your relationship with customers and raise top-of-mind awareness. With a few solid corporate holiday greeting card tips, you can grow your business and your bottom line this holiday season.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he average business knows their customers, but the most successful businesses proactively connect with them—and there is no better time to build trust and value than the holidays. Skip the lazy email greeting cards and show your customers you care with these tried-and-true greeting card design strategies:
Plan Ahead
What is scary about Halloween is that it marks the last few weeks you have to design, print, and mail out your corporate holiday greeting cards. Many businesses begin offering holiday savings well in advance of Thanksgiving, and you do not want to be too late. Get your cards out now to avoid rush fees and post office mishaps.
Personalize It
Address each customer by their name (first name or Mr./Ms., depending on the formality of your industry). Sign each card by hand, if time permits. If you are a local or family-owned business, you might also include a photo of your staff to add an extra touch of approachability and sincerity. Avoid using too many holiday phrases and make sure your message is worth the read.
Include Your Logo
Introduce your company logo to your card design subtly. The customer should be your focus, not you. When designing your holiday cards, upload your logo in a high-quality file format as specified by your designer. Place it on the back of the card, as a subtle watermark, or in the corner. You want your customers to recognize your brand, not question your motives. If you include your business card, you can keep your logo there and just include your company name on the greeting card.
Make It Stand Out
Don’t let your card look like something you made in Word, printed, and folded in half—“—you want your cards to be memorable. Choose a classy, easy-to-read font like a Helvetica variation. Choose complementary colors that fit your brand image. Avoid cluttering the card with too much text or too many images. Most importantly, choose a high-quality printing method and a durable card stock so customers will associate you with quality when they open your card.
Don’t Alienate Your Customers
Depending on your industry and mission statement, it may be appropriate to use “Merry Christmas!” on your corporate greeting cards. However, remember that people have different holiday traditions, and some may not celebrate Christmas at all. Instead of mentioning a specific holiday or activity (opening presents, making eggnog, etc.), you can always wish your customers joy and success with messages such as “Warm wishes,” or “Here’s to another happy, healthy new year!” Evaluate your customer profile carefully, and make an informed decision about your company’s holiday branding.
Include an Incentive
A personalized message is a great start, but nothing beats a free sample, special offer, or holiday discount. For example, you could add a unique coupon code for 30% off an item in your online store. Depending on your product, you could include a free sample; otherwise, an eye-catching business card will do. If you sell memberships, offer your current customers an attractive referral bonus. The holidays are all about sharing, after all!
This year, you can use these tips to enter Arkansas Graphics’ “Holidays in Arkansas” Greeting Card Design competition! The winner will receive 500 free prints of their card and the option to sell them through our online store! All the profits will go directly to the winner. Additionally, you could win a $100 gift certificate toward future printing services. The deadline to submit your design is November, 13th, 2015 – so register now!
If you need assistance designing your corporate holiday cards this year, contact Arkansas Graphics at 501-263-2649 and we can help you design, print, and ship your holiday greeting cards.