Have you written these cards yet?

Are you sending Christmas Cards this year?  I love receiving a personalised Christmas card and therefore one of my standard tools in my “following up tool-box” is to send personal christmas cards to a list of priority contacts. If you haven’t previously considered sending a Christmas card to your contacts why not take a personal approach and write some Christmas cards to strengthen working relationships and reengage with clients.

Here are some cards that you might like to think about sending:

Cards for your Boss, Colleagues and Co-Workers

It may be appropriate to use Christmas cards to do some internal relationship building and you could send a more traditional card such as the one you would send to friends and family to your boss and co-workers. It can also be a nice way to show your appreciation of others in your workplace.

Thank you for your support

For your loyal and regular clients and customers, a “thank you for your support” card can be the perfect opportunity to thank them for their business and make them feel valued. You may choose to do a discreetly branded card for these types of contacts if you do branded cards. Otherwise, treat it like a thank you card (as well as a Christmas card). These type of cards are to continue to build a positive existing relationship (and to encourage repeat business).

Just to say Hello

A “Just to say hello” card is perfect for business contacts and referrer contacts. A fun and informal design, together with a friendly personal message can build your relationship with supplier and referral contacts. You are not directly selling to these contacts, so the message and purpose of the card should be to build goodwill and positivity. You can also use this type of card for your network generally.

Acknowledgement of Achievements

For the important people without whom you would not have achieved your goals for the past year. Celebrate your personal and joint achievements with a Christmas card highlighting your success. This might include investors, partners and employees. If you have a mentor they should also be on your Christmas Card List.

Keeping in Touch

If is it worth the personal investment for you Christmas Cards can also be a great way to keep in touch with your dormant clients with general well-wishing for the Christmas period. This type of card is a simple way to maintain contact with someone who may have bought from you in the past but not considered your offering recently. It gently reminds them who you are and what you have to offer and encourages re-engagement.

So if you haven’t already done so – write your Christmas card list.