Making Contacts at Christmas Time

[PChefPEI]

What does everyone do at Christmas time as far as making customer contacts/past hosts? Do you send Christmas cards? Special newsletter?

Just looking for some possible ideas of something different to do.

 

[JAE]

I'm planning to send Christmas cards - non PC ones.

 

[cmdtrgd]

I send calendars with my business card attached around Thanksgiving. It is an easy and inexpensive gift and I make sure to write the address out, not use labels, so it is more personal. You can get these at magnetstreet.com. The reason I do it in November is everyone receives a lot in December, so this puts me in front of them at an opportune time. Plus, this gives them time to still order stuff through me.

 

[chefann]

I read several years ago that it's better to send something out for Thanksgiving for the reasons Kate mentioned AND because then you don't offend the people who don't celebrate Christmas, because even if your card is a secular card and says "happy holidays," people still know it as sent because it's Christmas time. And with Thanksgiving, you can mention how thankful you are for their business, so it ties in a little easier.

 

[angmillar]

I'd LOVE to send a card or something!! But, being an APO/FPO consultant, we can't use the military post office for our business... so, there'd be no way to mail them to my past customers. =(

 

[finley1991]

The other thing about sending it out at Thanksgiving is that there's still time if they want to order before the December Holidays (trying to be politically correct here! ) If we send them out December 20th-ish, it's too late to order.

Plus, if the card is going to past hosts, we could include something like, "I'd love to assist you with your holiday shopping... remember you receive 10% off anything ordered and all products are guaranteed for Christmas delivery." (Okay.. that part wasn't politically correct, but you know where I'm going with this...!)

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'd LOVE to send a card or something!! But, being an APO/FPO consultant, we can't use the military post office for our business... so, there'd be no way to mail them to my past customers. =(

Even if you are sending them a Christmas Card? Don't other people send Christmas Cards?

 

[missyciccolella]

What about a "Happy New Year" mailing? Send it out a few days after Christmas with welcoming a New Year warm wishes or a thank you for another year of business and a calendar would totally be a appropriate. As a family we do this b/c I can never get Christmas cards out on time.

 

[sfdavis918]

What about a "Happy New Year" mailing? Send it out a few days after Christmas with welcoming a New Year warm wishes or a thank you for another year of business and a calendar would totally be a appropriate. As a family we do this b/c I can never get Christmas cards out on time.

That's a great idea, but then you miss out on the holiday shopping reminder.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! I think I will do a Thanksgiving card. I better start planning now!!

 

[raebates]

I've done the Christmas card in the past, but I think I'll switch to a Thanksgiving card this year. Hmm. I'll get started on that.

 

[chefann]

I've got some Thanksgiving postcards from Nancy's available. They're in the marketplace area, in my Nancy's Postcards thread. OfficeMax currently has some nice harvest/Thanksgiving decorated printer paper and matching envelopes. If you're handy with a word processor, you could make something really striking.

 

[PChefPEI]

Thanks for all the great ideas!! I like the Thanksgiving idea and love the calendar idea too.

Oh, so much to do and think about, so little time...........

 

[pamperedval]

For those of you that have done this in the past - who all do you send to? Just past hosts and preferred customers?

I think it would be quite an undertaking to send them to all past customers. It seems like a great idea - I just want to get my mind around it to figure out if I could pull it together for this year - or just wait and get ready for next time...

 

[pamperedlinda]

I send cards to my past hosts and good customers. I think I'll do the Thanksgiving cards this year.

 

[cmdtrgd]

I send the magnetic calendar to all past hosts and repeat customers as well as people who have referred good hosts/customers to me and people who bought a lot at one time.

 

[cmdtrgd]

I'd LOVE to send a card or something!! But, being an APO/FPO consultant, we can't use the military post office for our business... so, there'd be no way to mail them to my past customers. =(

Could you send a package of cards (or whatever) put together, addressed, stamped, etc. to someone stateside and have them drop them in the mail here?

 

[angmillar]

Could you send a package of cards (or whatever) put together, addressed, stamped, etc. to someone stateside and have them drop them in the mail here?

Hmmmmm.... I'm not sure about that.

Any other overseas military consultants know?? It sounds like a great idea!!

 

[angmillar]

Even if you are sending them a Christmas Card? Don't other people send Christmas Cards?

Yep, I can send a Christmas card, but I don't think I could identify myself as a PC consultant in it. And, I'd definitely want them to know how they know me!!

The military postal system has very strict guidelines, and we're not supposed to "profit" from our military box.

 

[cookinwithamy]

Merrill offers holiday cards that includes a recipe... I sent those last year and got a nice response. I included a 10% off coupon (printed on labels that I attached to the back of my business card) that expired 1 Jan... since Jan is usually a big cancellation month, I got a lot of outside orders that way.

 

[missyciccolella]

That's a great idea, but then you miss out on the holiday shopping reminder.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! I think I will do a Thanksgiving card. I better start planning now!!

Yeah, I kind of spaced on the Holiday shopping thing, but you could kick off the New Year with a BANG...

 

[cmdtrgd]

Oh, and you can have Merrill send out the holiday post cards for you for an extra fee. That way you aren't using your military box to profit.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Another idea, is it possible to rent a post office box off base to receive things? Can you go off base to send things?

 

[missyciccolella]

Yep, I can send a Christmas card, but I don't think I could identify myself as a PC consultant in it. And, I'd definitely want them to know how they know me!!

The military postal system has very strict guidelines, and we're not supposed to "profit" from our military box.

And you don't want to get your military sponsor in trouble either...when overseas they have the right to send you back if you break the rules and don't comply - your sponsor has to finish out the tour without family:cry: . But there are ways around the system !

 

[msturrock]

I like the gift certificate idea for the new year. I actually have been using a gift certificate for individual orders as a thank you. I usually make it $4 off shipping. I have ended up with a few bookings because of this.

 

[angmillar]

Oh, and you can have Merrill send out the holiday post cards for you for an extra fee. That way you aren't using your military box to profit.

Now that's an idea! I don't think this would be breaking the rules...

 

[aried]

Thanks giving thank you cardHere is what I had in my files that someone else made up. I like the idea of the coupon on back of your business card.

Ann R.

 

[PChefPEI]

I like the gift certificate idea for the new year. I actually have been using a gift certificate for individual orders as a thank you. I usually make it $4 off shipping. I have ended up with a few bookings because of this.

That's a really nice GC!! Love the idea!

 

[PChefPEI]

Here is what I had in my files that someone else made up. I like the idea of the coupon on back of your business card.

Ann R.

Those are beautiful, Ann! I will definitely have to add to my list for next Thanksgiving....since it's past already in Canada!

 

[pamperedpals]

I like the gift certificate idea for the new year. I actually have been using a gift certificate for individual orders as a thank you. I usually make it $4 off shipping. I have ended up with a few bookings because of this.

I love this gift certificate. Can anyone convert it to word, so we can change the contact info?

Thanks in advance!

 

[amy07]

Here is what I had in my files that someone else made up. I like the idea of the coupon on back of your business card.

Ann R.

awesome awesome awesome! Thanks for sharing!