Ms Cards Etiquette by CardsDirect

Feeling Lucky?

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:00:52 +0000

Today is St. Patrick’s Day! Are you feeling lucky?

When luck alone won’t keep you in business, consider sending a thoughtful Thank You card like this one! To double your luck, go even more green with a card printed on recycled paper! Who needs shamrocks and four leaf clovers when you have CardsDirect on your team!

St. Patrick’s Day Pinch- Why?

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:38:37 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day is this Wednesday! Don’t forget to wear green or you’ll risk getting pinched! Why pinched? There are all sorts of explanations so no one is absolutely certain how it all began but most agree it is an American tradition.

According to one source, the tradition began in the early 1700s in Boston. The story goes that Leprechauns pinch. If you wore green you would be invisible to Leprechauns. Being seen as helpful, people would pinch you as a reminder if you forgot to wear green! Another explanation is that wearing green showed respect for the Emerald Isles which is Ireland’s nickname.

What stories have you heard regarding pinching and the wearing of the green?

Let the Festivities Begin!

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:12:31 +0000

Have you heard? CardsDirect is having a sale and you’re invited to join in the festivities! From now through March 19 you can save 10% OFF any of the hundreds of greeting card and invitation designs we offer. You also will enjoy FREE Ground Shipping! Just type in Promo Code CDE319BG at checkout.

Now is a great time to order personalized Birthday Cards so you’ll never miss another opportunity to remember someone on their big day.

Or how about Thank You Cards. Surprise someone with a thoughtful and unexpected Thank You and see if they don’t become lifelong customers or friends!

Start a personal campaign to build loyalty by sending greeting cards and save big!

Sales and Marketing Tip #4- Make it Personal

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:54 +0000

When you are lucky enough to get an opportunity to speak with an existing or even a potential customer in person or better yet, face to face, use this valuable time to put your best foot forward. Be ready to speak directly to their needs and make it personal!

Do background research so you are ready to offer solutions and make suggestions that will benefit them and their business. Know what their strengths and challenges are and focus your discussion on exactly what you can do to help them. This is not the time to speak in big picture scenarios. List specific ways you can help make their life easier and effect change for the better. There are many who offer what you do so be ready to speak to why you and your company can do it better.

Make or strengthen a relationship by remembering that person with birthday cards on their special day or thank you cards when called for. Become a trusted supplier and better yet, a trusted friend, and you will become that go to person!

Sales and Marketing Tip #3- Be Seen

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:00:06 +0000

Have you ever forgotten about someone just because you haven’t seen them in awhile? It is quite easy to do and if you’re in business, you certainly wouldn’t want to be forgotten! You don’t have to be a nuisance, but you do want your name to be the first one a customer remembers when they need the goods or services you have to offer. Without being obnoxious, flaunt your abilities and proudly express your company’s greatness, especially during tough economic times.

To make sure you are not forgotten, keep your name and your company name visible. Network like you never have before. Be seen. Go lunch where your customers do. Attend the meetings your customers attend. Join the trade organizations or groups they are into. Write articles for trade publications. The more your name is out there, the more successful you will become.

Stay connected and “seen” by sending personalized greeting cards when appropriate. An unexpected Thinking of You Card or surprise Anniversary Card or thoughtful Get Well Card will do wonders to enhance your visibility and is sure to add a personal touch they’ll remember when an opportunity becomes available for you to step in and save the day. And when that happens, you’ll be as proud as a peacock!

Sales and Marketing Tip #2- Narrow Your Target

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:00:06 +0000

There is only so much time in a day, no matter how much you wish some days were shorter and others longer. So, use your time to your best advantage. In business, focus on the tasks and activities that will matter most. In sales and marketing, know your core audience and target them rather than waste time trying to pull in business from everywhere.

Try a multi-level approach. Don’t just place a cold call or send one direct mail piece; follow-up. After a successful meeting or phone conference, send follow-up Thank You Cards as a show of appreciation and to keep your name and your company name in front of the customer.

By adding a personal touch you are sure to become a member of their business family and top of mind whenever your goods or services are needed!

Random Acts of Kindness

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:46:32 +0000

There is currently a commercial on tv that shows people engaged in random acts of kindness. Not big deals, just little things like giving a child their dropped toy or holding an elevator door. These simple gestures bring smiles all around and just brighten everyone’s day. So, how about considering this workplace suggestion—

Show a little appreciation for kindnesses done in the workplace by keeping a supply of Thank You Cards on hand. When someone goes above and beyond expectations, leave a signed card on their desk as a show of appreciation. Maybe your HR person could keep plenty available for employees to use when the need arises.

Birthday cards and Anniversary cards are great in the workplace but wouldn’t an unexpected Thank You card be an added incentive to do great things?! I bet this sort of act of kindness would be contagious and a sure motivator to encourage team players. And I bet CardsDirect.com has the perfect Thank You Card Assortment Pack all ready and waiting for you!

Maybe a co-worker helped you with a major report or someone took it upon themselves to clean out the break room fridge (a yucky smelly job no one wants to tackle), or maybe you just value an employee’s extra effort. A Thank You Card would make a world of difference and I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t proudly displayed! What do you think? Why not try it for a few weeks and see what happens!

Somebody Loves You, Or Do They?

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:02:09 +0000

This just in—beware of Valentine’s Day emails! Apparently the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day is prime time for computer viruses. We all love to be loved so who wouldn’t look forward to receiving an email with something like “Somebody loves you” or “You are loved” in the subject line with cutesy valentine images attached. But beware, these sorts of emails from someone you don’t know could come bearing gifts, and I’m not talking flowers or chocolate!

The anti-virus software maker McAfee warns consumers to watch out for malware-ridden Valentine emails. Malware is short for malicious software that is designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner’s knowledge. A really cute Valentine could become your worst nightmare.

You should never open emails and attachments from someone you don’t know but follow this rule closely during this special season. Sure seems to me that traditional Valentine Day cards printed on paper and mailed or hand delivered are even more special!

Guess you had better watch out for any form of emailed greeting. Long live the traditional greeting card!

Sales and Marketing Tip #1- What to Believe

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:50:57 +0000

Times are tough and companies are watching what they spend. So how can you get them to part with some of their funds for the goods or services you are offering? First, believe in yourself, your company and your product. If you don’t believe, why should others?

For example, we know that at CardsDirect we offer the very best in quality greeting cards, selection and customer service. Sure, there are others out there who sell cards just like we do but they don’t have what we have and we know it! We truly believe in what we are offering and stand behind it just as you should stand behind what you are selling.

Keep focused on your main objective and customers will remain loyal. The better you treat your current base, the more they will in turn support you and drive new business your way. Focus on the positive, feel good about what you can control and get out there and smile! Life is good and what we do will only make it better!

Make it Personal

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:41:17 +0000

According to a recent survey, 63% of Americans feel that sending a greeting via Facebook or Twitter is inappropriate with 19% believing it is downright tacky! There is simply nothing like a traditional greeting card to surprise someone on their birthday or anniversary or other special occasion. I remember when ecards first came on the scene. It was nice to be remembered but when receiving greeting cards I take into account the effort behind the thoughtfulness and an ecard just doesn’t take all that much effort.

Greeting cards are often kept as treasured memories and I have yet to knowingly keep an ecard or Facebook “wall” wish. 37% of Americans think that sending a thank you note through a social network is inappropriate. Given that a thank you is meant to send appreciation, isn’t it worth the effort to hand write a short note on lovely Thank You Cards and put a stamp on them or hand deliver them?

The next time you want to reach out to someone, do it with style. Some may call greeting cards printed on paper, signed and delivered old-fashioned, but I call it personal. The effort you take is sure to be warmly received and returned in kind. Which do you prefer, paper or virtual?

{Source: Kelton Research}