(By Rick Fink) It’s a common thing. In fact, it’s almost expected that you or your company send out Christmas cards to show your appreciation to your customers.
The first card that arrives at your client’s office is opened with a bit of excitement. It then is proudly placed on the front counter or taped to the wall or window in a strategic place knowing full well this process will be repeated many, many, times before December 25th even arrives.
While every card is appreciated, the rest aren’t opened with the same amount of glee as the first few. And if we’re honest, the message is rarely ever read. A quick look at who it was sent from and up it goes along with the other pretty pieces of paper!
So, how do you stand out from the rest of the holiday crowd?
One of the best and most successful media reps I have ever had the privilege of working with had an epiphany many years ago. One of his accounts was a locally owned Hallmark store. He noticed that among the hundreds of Christmas cards, there were only a few lonely Thanksgiving cards. As we were always encouraged to do things that would make us stand out, a light bulb went on in his head and the rest is history.
How unique is sending out a Thanksgiving Day card compared to a Christmas card?
Here is a list of the top 7 holidays for sending greeting cards in the USA:
Christmas – 1.6 billion cards
Valentine’s Day – 151 million cards
Mother’s Day – 141 million cards
Father’s Day – 93 million cards
Easter – 57 million cards
Halloween – 17 million cards
Thanksgiving – 13 million cards
Do the math. For every 123 Christmas cards sent, there is only ONE (1) Thanksgiving card sent.
Other reps took his lead and did things like May Day baskets, Halloween cookies and cards, and 4th of July cupcakes. All GREAT ideas and they all stood out from the crowd!
Today, he continues to be one of the best media reps I know, and this Thanksgiving marks his 21st year of sending Thanksgiving Day cards on his own dime. It’s a small investment that’s paid huge dividends!
He definitely stands out in the holiday crowd and the rest of the year as well!
Happy Thanksgiving!
NEVER Stop Learning – Get Better Every Day!
Rick Fink from ENS Media (www.ensmediausa.com) can be reached by phone at 605-310-2062 or e-mail at [email protected]
Thanks, Rick
A practice we’ve adhered to is putting Christmas Cards in the mail the evening before Thanksgiving. It’s the last order of business before we leave for the Holiday. You’re correct being first gets you noticed.