Is a Service That Sends Real Cards Worth It?

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around a service that allows users to send real cards and postcards, with participants sharing their experiences and thoughts on its effectiveness for business communication and personal connections.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares their positive experience using a card-sending service, noting it has helped them maintain contact with their downline and customers.
  • Another participant expresses interest in trying the service and mentions the challenges of keeping up with personal communications in their business.
  • Several users mention the convenience of sending cards compared to traditional methods, with one noting difficulties due to slow internet speeds.
  • One participant raises concerns about self-promotion and the appropriateness of sharing links to personal businesses in the forum.
  • Another participant defends the original poster's intentions, suggesting they are simply sharing a helpful service rather than promoting their business.
  • One user expresses a desire to avoid conflict over the topic, suggesting a separate thread for discussing card samples.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the appropriateness of sharing business links and the motivations behind the original post. Some participants support the sharing of the card service, while others express concerns about self-promotion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a mix of personal experiences and opinions regarding the use of the card service in a business context, highlighting varying perspectives on communication strategies among Pampered Chef consultants.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in exploring new methods for maintaining customer relationships and personal connections may find the shared experiences relevant.

P
Pampered Laura
I hope this is okay to post here... I found a service that helps my business tremendously, and want to share it with you guys...
I've always wanted a personal assistant to help me stay in contact better, but assistants are expensive. LOL. ;)

A friend of mine turned me on to this service and I've been using it to send REAL cards (or postcards) to my downline, my hosts, my preferred customers, to leads, and even use it to send invites for my hosts parties. They're so much more personal than email or e-cards, and SO much cheaper than actual cards + postage.

The result?
My hosts have more guests at their parties. My downline get cards from me with Starbucks cards or checks (you can write checks if you owe someone money and have it stuck in a card). Customers are sending me referrals because I'm remembering their birthdays. People are remembering my name because they get "REAL mail" from me that's unexpected.

Anyway, there's about 10,000 cards to choose from, all sent in a real envelope, with a real stamp. I go online, pick out a card, fill out the inside, address it, and click "send". It's so easy. The handwriting is mine, with my signature, and I can even include a business card inside. I signed up for about $10 a month (includes like 10 cards) and then later upgraded when I realized I could get them cheaper (duh), but there are other plans available if you want more from the service. It's freakin' awesome!

If you'd like me to send you a sample, I'd be happy to... I have a bunch of free "points" (cards that I can send) from the company because of referrals I give, and would love to show yall the service by sending you one. Or you can try it for free using me as a referral. (ugh I hate posting that, but I guess it's like any other Netwinner type referral, right? :o )

You can email me with "card" in the subject - just include your name, phone number, birthday (just month/day), and mailing address. [email protected]

And no, it doesn't cost you anything for me to send you a card. There's no obligation, no one will make you sign up for the service for checking it out. I just think it'll help yall's business as much as it has mine, so I wanted you to see it in person. There are some seriously cute "kitcheny" cards & it made me think of my cheffer friends. :D
 
Well, hi there, Kermit.
 
I'd love to try it out! I'm emailing you right now!
 
I just e-mailed you!
 
Sounds interesting, I just emailed you too! I just can't seem to keep up with all of that stuff even though I know it's an important part of business and team motivation. I filled a bunch out yesterday and got writer's cramp! LoL and I have a ton more to do, or a ton more that I really should be doing. Thanks for sharing
 
is it thru "send out cards"? I have a rep in my buis group. It is cool but I am on dial up so it is a pain. If you have high speed it is a cool service.
 
Sounds good! Couldn't you just post a link to their site?
 
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  • #8
I could, but I just wanted to send the card to each person who replied to me, as a little "something" fun in their mailbox. :) I thought if yall like it, I'd walk you through how to send your own cards like I do. I kinda thought if I posted a link that I'd get hate mail, so I didn't. LOL
 
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  • #9
PS Beth, your son's site is missing an "L" in the address, so his page isnt coming up. :)
 
Hee hee, can it send birthday cards for my family, too? :)I'm PMing you! ETA - Just kidding, emailing you.
 
Pampered Laura said:
I could, but I just wanted to send the card to each person who replied to me, as a little "something" fun in their mailbox. :) I thought if yall like it, I'd walk you through how to send your own cards like I do. I kinda thought if I posted a link that I'd get hate mail, so I didn't. LOL
It would look less like you're self promoting if you did though.

PS: Thanks for telling me about my son's link.
 
I e-mailed you!
 
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  • #13
Ya, about the self promoting thing... I can't put a link to my business because people threw a hissy fit. But, there is a Stampin Up consultant that has a link to HER business and it's just fine. I figured I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't, so I chose not to. Didn't want to risk any more flames, ye know? ;)
 
Are the cards associated with your business? Or is it a third party company? If it's part of your company then it would be self-promotion to add the link and so was just telling us about it.

This site is for PC consultants to share information and putting a link to something else you personally sell is self-promoting as is saying "I'm having a _____(another direct sale)___ party". I agree that the stamping up person and others who are selling things should not have that in their sig line either. It's also self-promoting to say "If you're thinking of becoming a consultant come talk to me".

Laura, your sig line is very self-promoting as it is even without a link. It causes people to say "hmmm... why did she leave and what's with the new company". I'm sure that's intentional (oh, I know, you're proud of the accomplishment too) and it's a clever way to drum up business without saying "call me". Telling people to email you with all their info so that you can send them a card to help them is also a good way to get their info in your business contact list. Gotta give you credit.


The link I just added to mine is to brag on my son but if it's considered self promoting I will immediately remove it.
 
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From what i can see this has nothing to do with her new business. She is letting us know about a new service that she has found and just thought she might share it with us to use in our business. And i really dont see anything in her sig line that is self promoting either. JMO
 
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  • #16
Wait, what? LOL.

My signature says nothing about what I'm doing. Who says that my signature doesnt mean my "new adventure" isnt being a stay at home mom to my two kids? Which I am. My accomplishments are in there because I AM PROUD OF THEM. I did alot in my 17 months with Pampered Chef, and feel that I have something left to give to new PC consultants who are seeking advice. My signature is there so that new consultants know that if I'm giving them advice, they can probably trust that I know what I'm talking about. Don't assume things. :)

And please. If I wanted contact info for anyone, I'd plug their names in to the pamperedchef.biz sites, get their telephone numbers, and call them straight up. I have not added anyone to any list that hasnt requested it from me directly.

Gimme a break, Beth.
 
Pampered Laura said:
Wait, what? LOL.

My signature says nothing about what I'm doing. Who says that my signature doesnt mean my "new adventure" isnt being a stay at home mom to my two kids? Which I am. Don't assume things. :)

And please. If I wanted contact info for anyone, I'd plug their names in to the pamperedchef.biz sites, get their telephone numbers, and call them straight up. I have not added anyone to any list that hasnt requested it from me directly.

Gimme a break, Beth.

AMEN!!!! :sing:
 
Please let's not go here. Not everyone sees this issue the same way. The last thing we need is another thread causing heartburn. The site is, as Paula asked, Sendoutcards.com.

If you'd like to help Laura out by generating referral credits for her, simply email her and she'll include her account number on the link. If you want to see a sample of what a card looks like, send her your info.

I personally look forward to giving sendoutcards.com a try. Hey, maybe we can start a separate thread with PC-unique samples like we've shared regarding VistaPrint business cards. Thanks for suggesting this Laura.
 
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Holy moly folks....this got heated fast. Do we need some chocolate??
 
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  • #20
Good grief... the link is www.sendoutcards.com/laurawells if you want to try it out. I just have a bunch of points and like the cards, so I wanted to send yall the kitchen-y ones so you could see them and decide if you'd like to use the service. Believe it or not, I was actually being just nice. LOL.
 
Relax Laura.

I asked why you didn't post the link.

You talked about self-promotion.

I replied to that - agreeing with your comments and giving my opinion of what self-promotion includes.

All of a sudden it's a big drama.

www.sendoutcards.com is a good site and a great suggestion that we thank you for sharing. I just didn't understand why you felt putting the email you use for your new business was less self promoting than the link to a company that you don't work for.

I plan to check out www.sendoutcards.com and I hope a lot of others do too.

Thanks for sharing - now go eat some chocolate or take a nap on that fluffy bedding you have and don't take things so defensively. :p
 
Laura, You are always nice! I hope one day to be as successful as you were with PC! I appreciate everything you have to offer and I'm glad you haven't deserted us - even though I wouldn't have blamed you if you did. It's no secret that there are a few on this board who don't care for you (for that matter there are also a some who don't like me :eek: ) and it seems that they delight in the opportunity to bash whenever possible.....you just can't please all people all the time and some of them never so don't let it worry you. Thanks for the card info. I have lots of good intentions to send cards and then never actually send them so I'd love to see a sample if you haven't given away all of your free points by now. I'll email my address to you.
 
pamperedlinda said:
Laura, You are always nice! I hope one day to be as successful as you were with PC! I appreciate everything you have to offer and I'm glad you haven't deserted us - even though I wouldn't have blamed you if you did. It's no secret that there are a few on this board who don't care for you (for that matter there are also a some who don't like me :eek: ) and it seems that they delight in the opportunity to bash whenever possible.....you just can't please all people all the time and some of them never so don't let it worry you. Thanks for the card info. I have lots of good intentions to send cards and then never actually send them so I'd love to see a sample if you haven't given away all of your free points by now. I'll email my address to you.
I am commenting because I am the one who made comments on this thread and it appears to me that it is a direct comment about me. I am hurt by this and think that you are being very harsh.

I do not and have not bashed anyone. I say it how it is and try to help others stay within the guidelines of PC and Chef Success by saying something when someone strays. My comments referred to several self promoters not just Laura and she started the self promotion dialog by referring to the stamping up consultant. I did not say that she was a bad person or that I didn't like her.

The bolded comments were not necessary.
 
Take a deep breath and count to ten ladies.

I think the cards are a wonderful idea, thank you for sharing it with us. :D
 
The cards are a nice idea and have already been shared by another active PC consultant on this board.
 
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  • #26
Ooookay! Yep, I get a referral credit if you use my name to try the cards. It's NOT my business. It's like a Netwinner / Post Calls type deal for me. YES it helps YOU, and YES if you use my referral it helps me, too. www.sendoutcards.com/laurawells or www.sendoutcards.com/41107.

The reason I asked for addresses, again, is because I love mail. Real USPS mail, and thought of sending you guys cards that I found on the site that are all kitchen-y because they're CUTE and I thought yall would want to see them.

Crimeny.

Beth: My email address is my email address. Now you're getting on to me because I gave out my email address???? LOL. Good LORD Beth, please just put me on ignore. The threads I get in to don't get heated and dramatic until you wind up inevitably saying something to the effect of blaming me for "promoting myself" or doing something underhanded.

Just food for thought: the PM's I get from Chef Success are not usually business inquiries, but mostly ones apologizing for your posts towards me or asking me (sorry for the insinuated language) "WTF is wrong with Beth". LOL.

I bet no one would have even noticed my email had a "company" name in it if you hadnt pointed it out. So, if you get upset about people possibly contacting me, why dontcha just leave me alone and stop flaming me for every little thing? Please? Ignore? That would be really great! Thanks in advance. :)
 
hmmm... I noticed that you shoot back here every once in a while and find something to try to get some people to bite on your bait. You are all about finding more business for your new company. If you were anyone else you would have been chased out of here long ago for coming on here and trying to prospect. There are a lot of people here who are not fooled by your thinly veiled scheming (I get PM's too).

I just feel sorry for you.

You win. I will not respond to your attacks any longer but I will continue to make a comment when I see anyone (even you) trying to take advantage of members here or twisting the policies to suit themselves - whether innocently or not.
 
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BethCooks4U said:
hmmm... I noticed that you shoot back here every once in a while and find something to try to get some people to bite on your bait. You are all about finding more business for your new company. If you were anyone else you would have been chased out of here long ago for coming on here and trying to prospect. There are a lot of people here who are not fooled by your thinly veiled scheming (I get PM's too).

I just feel sorry for you.

You win. I will not respond to your attacks any longer but I will continue to make a comment when I see anyone (even you) trying to take advantage of members here or twisting the policies to suit themselves - whether innocently or not.
:thumbup: Okay, Beth.
 
Thanks for this idea Laura!! It's really awsome and I'm so going to use it.
 
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  • #30
rennea said:
Thanks for this idea Laura!! It's really awsome and I'm so going to use it.

You're welcome. Let me know if you want me to walk you through it...it's pretty easy, but I got confused at first as to which program I wanted to sign up with. I started with the trial for 2 free cards from my referrer (is thay a word?) and then signed up for the $10/mo service. Then, signed up as an Entrepeneur so that I could get a better rate and referral bonuses when I realized how much I was using them.

Remember to save your receipt for whichever one you choose, because it can be use as a tax deduction for your business! :thumbup:
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a service that sends real cards?

A service that sends real cards offers a personal touch that digital communication often lacks. It allows you to connect with friends, family, or clients in a meaningful way, making them feel valued and appreciated. Additionally, receiving a physical card can create a lasting impression and enhance your relationships.

How does a card-sending service work?

Typically, you choose a card design, personalize your message, and provide the recipient's address. The service then prints, stamps, and mails the card on your behalf. Many services also offer scheduling options, allowing you to plan ahead for special occasions.

Is it cost-effective to use a card-sending service?

While there may be a monthly fee or per-card cost associated with these services, they can save you time and effort compared to buying cards, writing messages, and mailing them yourself. For those who send cards frequently, the convenience and time savings can outweigh the costs.

Can a card-sending service help with my direct sales business?

Yes, using a card-sending service can enhance your direct sales business by allowing you to send personalized thank-you notes, birthday cards, or promotional messages to clients. This personal touch can help build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.

Are there any drawbacks to using a card-sending service?

One potential drawback is the lack of complete control over the card's design and delivery process. Additionally, some people may prefer to send cards themselves for a more personal touch. It's important to weigh these factors against the convenience and benefits the service provides.

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