Strategies for Using Cards in Your Business

Using SendOutCards means that you enjoy the convenience of working online while you create a physical piece -- a postcard or a greeting card. It is the personal touch that distinguishes SendOutCards from a mass-mailing company such as bulk postcard producers. Both mass-mailing and personalized communications have their place in your business. I think you'll find SendOutCards to be both affordable and ideal as your person-to-person follow-up strategy.

Card Campaigns

You can use SendOutCards to communicate with clients and customers as a group (a "campaign"), but still personalize each card sent out. SendOutCards lets you use First, Last, and even Spouse names if you've entered them into the Contact Manager. A 7" x 5" postcard gives you plenty of room to communicate. With wholesale pricing and personalization available, the SendOutCards cost-per-postcard competes very well with bulk-mailing services.

• General Marketing

Use the postcard or greeting card formats to update your key circle of clients and colleagues on your business activities, and to remind them that you're available for referrals.

• Special Events

Invitations that are individually addressed and personalized inside the card make a good impression. Remember, you can include your own handwriting font and signatures for even greater impact.

• Holiday Cards

Use Card Campaigns to separate out your clients, colleagues, and family members so that they receive the apprpopriate card type. Include gift cards with any or all of the cards to simplify your holiday shopping.

• Client Appreciation

A greeting card with a box of cookies or other treats included will get your client's attention and reinforce your long-term relationship with them. You can send gift cards or even gift checks with your cards, which are helpful when you don't know what gift your recipient would enjoy.

• Sales Follow-Up

Customers tell me that my post-sales follow-up is one of the main reasons for employing my services again. Simplify your follow-up by scheduling cards in advance of your project's completion date so that they arrive when your work is done.

Showcasing Your Work

With the SendOutCards Picture Plus feature, you can upload photos and use them in your greeting cards and postcards. You can add text and borders using the simple online designer. SendOutCards also lets you showcase your creative work while communicating with your clients and customers.

• Artists

I use SendOutCards to highlight the artwork of a fine artist whom I represent. We send gallery and show notifications using SendOutCards, and we personalize the invitations because we've uploaded his contact list to the Contact Manager.

• Designers

Are you a web designer or graphic artist? What better way to showcase your work than to provide screen-capture photos of your handiwork! Using Picture Plus with the SendOutCards plans that include that feature makes it easy to showcase your work.

• Photographers

I am a professional travel photographer as well as a travel writer. I signed up for SendOutCards as soon as I realized that I could be showcasing my professional photos while I am communicating with clients and customers!

Selecting or Creating a Design

Being able to personalize postcards or greeting cards is important, but the design of the card you select is integral to making a good impression. SendOutCards has employed professional designers to create their cards, so you're assured of finding a visual message that works for your business.

• Use Existing Designs

With 10,000 cards to choose from, there are plenty of professionally created designs already in the system. Most cards that include sentiments (inside text) will let you override the text with your own words, if you like.

• Having SendOutCards Create a Design

If you have logos, photos, and other previously created graphical elements, the SendOutCards design team can create a custom card for your business.

• Uploading Your Own Designs

If you have your own professional designer, or work on your own designs, you can upload them and use them right away. SendOutCards provides specifications for the artwork that help ensure a good result.

• Licensing Designs from Registered Artists

The SendOutCards Card Shop has collaborated with a number of fine artists who license their artwork as designs exclusively available through SendOutCards. You can use their fine art as the design for your cards by purchasing the license and having the designs transferred to your account.

Setting Up Your Account

There are so many possibilities with the SendOutCards system that I'm guessing you're ready to get started right away. I've arranged for you to be able to send 2 free cards at my expense through a Guest Account that you set up for yourself. Here's what I suggest that you do:

• Set up the guest account by clicking the Send a Free Card link above.
• Send one card to yourself so that you can get an idea of the quality of the cards you're sending. Each card is individually printed and a postage stamp applied before mailing. Your card will have that truly personal touch.
• Send the other card to a client, colleague, friend, or family member and make their day. There's nothing better than receiving a card from someone when you weren't expecting it!