Who and When to Send A Business Greeting Card

We all love our high-tech toys, don't we? Flipping open a cell phone, scrolling through email on a blackberry, texting a colleague as we prepare to board a flight—these are the true signatures of the 21st century business warrior, are they not? True enough, but when it comes to touching the heartstrings, these new fangled means of communication pale in comparison to the simple, low-tech act of sending a traditional greeting card. When was the last time you got all misty-eyed over a text message from a colleague? If you have customers or clients you want to keep close, if you have employees you value and want to recognize, if you have professional colleagues whose support you need, then sending business greeting cards simply makes good business sense.

The opportunities of who and when to send a business greeting card and help your business are nearly endless. Consider the following examples:

Holiday Cards

Who: You should send holiday cards to your most loyal and important customers and clients, of course, but don't underestimate the value of sending business greeting cards to colleagues and peers at other businesses as well. The card will help to build and cement your network of associates, all of whom can be valuable sources of new business.

When: Feel free to send your greeting cards any time after Thanksgiving, though you should consider sending them early enough to avoid getting lost in the blitz of cards and letters in the week immediately preceding Christmas.

Work Celebrations

Who: Work celebrations present another perfect opportunity to send business greeting cards. Employees, groups of employees, or outside representatives who helped your company achieve some significant success are all logical recipients for a personal greeting card. A little appreciation, particularly when it is expressed in a heartfelt and sincere manner via employer greeting cards and a personal note, go a long way towards motivating your people to achieve even more.

When: Don't overdo it—only send a business greeting card when a truly significant milestone has been achieved or some important new piece of business has been landed. Sending too many cards diminishes the impact of the gesture. It's kind of like getting kissed by your Aunt Mary, you know, the touchy-feely one who dispenses kisses to everything that moves.

Thank You

Who: Anyone who has performed some valuable service for you or your company. A Thank You card is appropriate at all levels from business to personal situations.

When: Unlike with the work celebration cards above, you really can't overdo this one. So send away.

Think we've exhausted the opportunities to send business greeting cards? Don't bet on it. Apology cards, sympathy cards, cards to recognize milestones or employee anniversaries, and retirement cards are just a few of the other great ways to communicate, thank and appreciate your customers and employees.