During times of economic hardship, it is essential to communicate with your current and prospective clients in a personal way -- to show your concern for them and to remind them of the role you and your firm can play in ensuring their future well-being and success. Your annual holiday card is a great way to do it.
A holiday card sends wishes of health, peace, and prosperity and is a welcomed reminder of the happiness of the season. It can also set you and your firm apart from other firms, and is likely to be remembered far longer than other less personal communications. Holiday cards are an investment in good will that your firm simply must make.
Holiday cards don't have to be a headache. And they don't have to be generic, bland, or dull. But they do have to be sent! And once you've decided to make the investment of money, time, and attention to send cards, there are things you can do to avoid the pitfalls of coordinating the mailing. Read on for some additional tips.
-Cards
E-cards seem like an ideal solution to avoid postage and paper costs. While they can be inexpensive and seem environmentally friendly, they can also appear cheap and impersonal. And with the sophistication of spam catcher programs, you can't even be sure that your message has been received.
While email is appropriate for everyday communications, it simply cannot deliver the personal greeting that a traditional printed holiday card can. Holiday greetings ought to be a special communication that stand out from the typical and myriad business communications you exchange with clients throughout the year. The message will be immediately clear to your client with a mailed card: You are important to me and I am willing to invest time and money to let you know that I value you and your business. Isn't that really what a holiday card should convey?
Signing the Card
A card sent with your firm name imprinted and nothing else lacks a personal touch. It's important to include the client's name and an attorney's signature on each and every greeting sent out to reinforce the personal nature of the greeting. If possible, include a personal message to make the touch that much more significant.
Improve Your Image
This year use your firm's card to send a message of social or environmental responsibility. Many suppliers offer programs that allow you to support a charitable organization or choose your own charity and use a custom greeting to spread the news to your client base. Supporting these programs helps secure your firm's image as a socially-conscious firm.
When to Send
Whether you choose to send a Thanksgiving card, a card marking a specific religious occasion such as Christmas or Hanukkah, or a traditional non-ecumenical card - mail your card no later than November 26 to guarantee its impact as one of the first cards to arrive. Your card will be displayed for a longer period of time. Another perk - many card providers offer early-bird specials to help you control your costs.
Who to Send Them To
Many firms reserve their holiday greetings for only their active clients. However, you may be surprised by the response you will get from past and prospective clients and colleagues (great networking for referrals). Just by keeping your firm in front of them you are building more profitable relationships.
Remember. . .
Holiday cards are an opportunity to improve client retention and loyalty to your firm - especially during uncertain economic times. Now is the time to start planning what kind of card you will send, who you are going to send it to, and how you are going to coordinate the process.
Need HELP Getting Started?
Whether your firm is small or large, ASL has the right card for you. Choose from a large selection of stock cards and a full custom design, production, and fulfillment service to satisfy all your holiday needs.
Call your account manager today at 800.222.0510 or visit www.aslegal.com/cards to find out more about how our selection and ordering process can help your firm.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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