Why Your Holiday Business Cards May Be Spam

The author shares a personal experience of receiving countless unsolicited holiday e-cards, particularly from people they barely knew. While not against the "holiday spirit," they emphasize that these generic messages often feel like spam and lack genuine value.

• The author suggests that sending "blast your whole contact database" holiday e-cards risks creating a negative perception and that business cards should be sent only to people you genuinely know.
• Personalized notes or hand-written messages are more effective than generic, automated ones.

Make Your Business Cards Memorable

The article emphasizes the importance of making business cards memorable and adding a personal touch that will leave a lasting impression.

• The author advocates for creating a unique company holiday card with a memorable message, humor, and a subtle marketing element.
• They highlight the example of First Round Capital, which uses clever and engaging humor in their holiday greetings, making them both entertaining and memorable.

Go Beyond Generic: Personalize Your Business Cards

The author stresses the importance of personalizing business cards.

• They recommend hand-writing a few personal sentences on each card, demonstrating your genuine interest in the recipient.
• This personalized touch sets your business card apart from the countless generic ones.

Timing is Key for Business Cards

The article addresses the timing of sending business cards.

• Sending them too close to the holiday season (between December 20th and 31st) can result in them being overlooked. This is because people may be overwhelmed with holiday messages and return to work in January with a backlog of emails and unopened mail.
• It's recommended to send cards earlier, by December 15th, or later, in January, after the holiday rush has subsided.

Physical Business Cards: A Powerful Choice

The article promotes the use of physical business cards.

• Although the trend is towards electronic messages, a physical card stands out. Printed, personalized, and signed cards create a more lasting impression.
• The author acknowledges the environmental concern but argues that sending a few physical cards is often more environmentally friendly than other activities like reading a book, buying a newspaper, or traveling by air.

Birthday Cards: A Smarter Approach Than Business Cards

The article concludes by suggesting an alternative approach to sending holiday cards: sending birthday cards instead.

• Birthday cards are more personal and memorable, as they arrive on a day when the recipient is being celebrated by only a few people.
• The author emphasizes that a hand-signed birthday card, amidst the influx of digital birthday greetings, creates a significant impact.
• The article suggests that a birthday card, with its personalized touch, is more effective in building relationships than a generic holiday card.

The Power of Personalized Business Cards

This article is a great guide to making your business cards stand out from the crowd. The author's advice on personalized messaging, clever design, and strategic timing will help you create business cards that make a lasting impression. By focusing on personal connections and thoughtful gestures, you can elevate your business cards from mere greetings to powerful tools for relationship building and marketing success.