CardsDirect Blog

Posted by Leah at 23 February , 2012

Because 2012 is a Leap Year, we wanted to share 29 ways you can use cards to better connect with your customer base. Cards can be useful tools for your business, and you may find new ways to communicate with clients.

1. Ask for your customers’ birthdays when they sign up for your mailing list. Reach out to them with a card on their special day.
2. Keep a company birthday calendar to note when important customers’ birthdays are coming up.
3. Vow to send one card a week to one client. At the end of the year, you will have contacted 52 customers.
4. Keep a stack of thank you notes on your desk. When you hang up after a call with a customer, write him or her a quick thank you note while it’s fresh on your mind.
5. Personalize the inside of all your cards sent to customers with your company logo.
6. Hand write a personal message to potential clients inside your card using an approachable tone.
7. Make sure to use any detail you remember from your last meeting with your customer in your note. It shows you are a good listener.
8. Always place your business card inside any card you send. It will keep your contact information fresh in customers’ minds.
9. Keep a supply of personalized note cards with envelopes and stamps in your laptop bag. Write professional notes on the go.
10. Print a list of customers that have not ordered within the past 6 months. Send them an “I Miss You” card to let them know you have noticed their absence.
11. If a customer renews a contract with you for another year, send them an anniversary card. It will mark another year of a great partnership.
12. Always remember if a customer tells you he or she is getting married or was recently promoted. It sounds like a congratulations card is in order.
13. Does your company promote using word of mouth marketing efforts? Keep Thank You for Your Business Referral cards on hand to send to those who referred your office.
14. Sympathy cards are never fun, but can really help a customer dealing with a personal loss. It shows your company cares for their clients.
15. Have an open house for your local customers. Send them an invitation in the mail rather than an online invite.
16. Worried about selecting one style of card to use for the rest of the year? Purchase an assortment pack with a variety of design.
17. Connect with customers over the summer with a patriotic card on the 4th of July. There are not many holidays during the summer months so it will be an unexpected surprise!
18. Get your holiday card in early by sending a Thanksgiving card. It shows you are thankful for their business, and you are ready to help them during the holiday season.
19. Holiday cards are a timeless tradition and a great way to congratulate customers on a great end of year. Sometimes classic cards are the best way to show customers you care.
20. Instead of an advertising piece, place a coupon inside a card. Cards are more likely to be opened and read by customers. Customers will keep and use the discount you send.
21. Send your customers a calendar card so they can hang it above their desk and reference it throughout the year.
22. Order postcards with your logo on the front for quick customer memos and notes. They are less expensive to mail, but make a good impression.
23. When sending holiday cards, you may consider looking at designs to fit your specific industry. It may help a customer make the connection between your card and the services you offer.
24. Are you moving your business? Send customers professional moving announcements so they can update their contact information. You could even include a photo of your new office!
25. Once you’ve acquired a new customer into your business, send them a welcome card. The client will feel like they have made the correct choice in choosing to work with you.
26. If a client has to cancel a meeting because of a sick day, send them get well card as soon as possible wishing them a speedy recovery. They will appreciate that you took the time to send them a card in the mail and will be willing to reschedule the meeting sooner.
27. Do you have an announcement you would like to share with customers? Print it on the inside of a card instead of on a basic form letter. It is more likely to be opened, read, and remembered.
28. Never be afraid to send an apology in the form of a card. If you made a mistake on a customer’s order, consider sending a card acknowledging the miscommunication.
29. Send a card for fun occasions to celebrate unique holidays like Leap Day or special events like the summer Olympics. Cards that arrive unexpectedly are sometimes the best kind for customers.

Posted in: Anniversary Cards , Birthday Cards , Christmas Cards , Greeting Cards , Holiday Cards , Moving Announcements , Sympathy Cards , Thank You Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 19 July , 2011

Staying ahead of the competition means you have to go the extra mile. Here are some inexpensive and easy ways to do just that in the form of personalized stationery. Think how special you’d feel if you received an unexpected card from a business that showed they cared about you. Here are 5 instances when personalized greeting cards can be used to help you stay connected, build new relationships, strengthen loyalty or just let someone know they matter to you and your business.

1. Birthday Cards- A birthday is one special day of the year that gives you an added opportunity to reach out and remember someone in a special and unexpected way. If you don’t know the birthdates of those with whom you do business, now is a great time to ask. And it isn’t necessary to know the year, just the day and month! And don’t forget your employee’s birthdays! Showing you care goes miles to build company loyalty.

2. Anniversary Cards- Show appreciation for a year on the job or mark the anniversary of a big sale or partnership. Often a nice surprise, remembering a special milestone shows your business is organized, thoughtful and sincere.

3. Welcome Cards- Welcome new clients to your business family with expected welcome cards. And remember a new employee on their first day with a warm greeting that will help them feel connected.

4. Get Well Cards- Anyone would feel a little bit better if they received a thoughtful get well card when they’re not feeling their best. A personalized card from your business shows you care about them and their wellbeing. Wish clients, business associates and employees a speedy recover so they’ll be back to full speed soon!

5. Sympathy Cards- Let someone know they and their family are in your thoughts by remembering them during a time of sorrow.

What other personalized greeting cards do you use? We’ll share 5 more suggestions in our next blog so be sure and come back to see if our list matches yours!

Tags: anniversary cards, Birthday Cards, business greeting cards, business stationery, corporate greeting cards, get well cards, Greeting Cards, Sympathy Cards, welcome cards
Posted in: Anniversary Cards , Birthday Cards , Get Well , Sympathy Cards , Welcome Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 24 March , 2011

CardsDirect is pleased to release a series of breathtaking floral card designs created by Dallas watercolor artist Liana Yarckin. Her beautiful floral paintings are simply enchanting and the springtime fresh colors are a welcome site as thoughts turn to warmer days ahead.

Thanks to encouragement from her husband, Liana turned her painting hobby into a more serious concentration as friends encouraged her to accept commissions for her work. From custom home portraits to her wonderful floral illustrations, her touch is wonderfully refreshing.

From purple irises to red tulips and gentle orchids to pastel clusters, these paintings make great note cards for any occasion. Leave them blank inside or add a Thank You, Get Well or Sympathy message on the front and a custom printed verse and personalization inside for the perfect greeting card.

Personalized stationery makes a great hostess gift for someone who may have entertained you this spring break or go ahead and order some now for end of the year teacher’s gifts. Gift them in a pretty basket or tie a large ribbon around a nice gift box and anyone would be pleased to receive such a thoughtful gift.

Learn more about Liana Yarckin and see more amazing examples of her work here.

Posted in: Get Well , Personalized Stationery , Sympathy Cards , Thank You Cards , Thinking of You | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 14 April , 2010

Watch your mailbox! Your CardsDirect 2010 All Occasion Catalog is being delivered as you read this. If you’re not on our catalog mailing list, go here to sign up and we’ll mail a catalog to you.

This year we’re pleased to announce our All Occasion Catalog is also available virtually! If you don’t want to wait for a paper copy, click to see our Virtual All Occasion 2010 Catalog.

The catalog features a sampling of the wonderful card designs in many of our personalized greeting card categories including Birthday Cards, Thank You Cards, Anniversary Cards, Congratulations Cards, Get Well Cards, Sympathy Cards and more.

Value Cards are especially popular this year with affordable cards in just about every category. With custom imprinted verse and personalization just like our other cards, these are available at great savings.

Invitations and Announcements are also available this year with wonderful designs perfect for any special event or occasion. And don’t forget about Assortment Packs so you’ll always have the perfect card on hand.

With $5.00 ground shipping on any size order and free custom imprinted verse and personalization along with free instant online proofing and exceptional customer service by phone, fax, email or online chat, CardsDirect is the very best online source for all of your greeting card needs!

Tags: anniversary cards, announcements, Assortment Packs, Birthday Cards, CardsDirect, cardsdirect-catalog, congratulations cards, get well cards, Invitations, Sympathy Cards, Thank You Cards, Value Cards, virtual cardsdirect catalog
Posted in: Assortment Packs , Birthday Cards , CardsDirect , Congratulations Cards , Get Well , Greeting Cards , Invitations , Sympathy Cards , Thank You Cards , Value Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 19 March , 2010

I’m thinking someone should send Tiger, Toyota and now Jesse, Get Well Cards! What were they thinking?! Those three sure could use some help for a speedy recovery.

Then again, maybe Sympathy Cards are more in order!

Thoughts?

Tags: CardsDirect, get well cards, Greeting Cards, sandra bullock, Sympathy Cards, tiger woods, toyota
Posted in: Get Well , Sympathy Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 10 August , 2009

Maybe you’ve heard. There is a new movie just released that takes place in the world of greeting cards! The movie is (500) Days of Summer and the male lead, Tom, a would-be architect, is a sappy greeting card writer. Yes, the synopsis on the movie’s home page really does call him sappy! But is that a bad thing?

As the story goes, Tom meets Summer, a new secretary in the greeting card company, and the love story begins. The movie chronicles 500 days in this love affair, often in random order, which keeps it entertaining. The greeting card references delight. For example, when Tom and Summer’s romance hits a speed bump, it is suggested that perhaps Tom’s mood would be better suited to writing Sympathy Cards.

Speaking of which, with the custom imprinted verse options CardsDirect offers, you can be a greeting card writer too!

Tags: 500 days of summer, CardsDirect, Greeting Cards, Sympathy Cards
Posted in: CardsDirect , Greeting Cards , Sympathy Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 2 April , 2009

This just in from the Texas Motor Speedway…

While taking a practice run this morning in preparation for tonight’s qualifying race, CardsDirect car #411 hit the wall, taking a nasty tumble. Word from the track is that a greeting card competitor may have been responsible for the mishap which is still under investigation.

Driver, Sam Steady, was uninjured but the car is not in good shape. In fact, according to the pit crew, it cannot be repaired in time for qualifying. And so, unfortunately, CardsDirect’s Nascar run has ended before it’s even really begun!

The experience has, however, put CardsDirect out in front of the personalized greeting cards race and sparked some creative discussions opening up a new line of cards perfect for fast paced corporations interested in powering up their businesses. New card designs will include, “Rev up Sales by Sending Customer Appreciation Cards” and “Lead the Pack by Remembering Loyal Clients with Corporate Birthday Cards”. Still others include, “Drive Sales with Business Referral Cards” and the unfortunately popular, “Sorry I Passed you on the Last Lap Sympathy Cards”.

Hopefully with Thank You Cards for the pit crew and some repair and recycling, #411 will be back in the race by April Fool’s Day next year!

Tags: business birthday cards, Business Referral Cards, CardsDirect, corporate thank you cards, Customer Appreciation Cards, Greeting Cards, nascar, personalized greeting cards, Sympathy Cards
Posted in: Birthday Cards , Business Happy Birthday Cards , Business Referral Cards , CardsDirect , Customer Appreciation Cards , Greeting Cards , Sympathy Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 2 February , 2009

Looking for affordable ways to maintain and grow customer and employee loyalty during these difficult times? Business Greeting Cards are your answer. Treat your business connections like family and they are certain to return the favor. Remember them with the following:

Business Appreciation Cards are simply perfect for sending business thanks. Your kind gesture will be remembered and appreciated the next time they need your products or services.

Congratulations Cards are great moral boosters. Send congratulations when a big sale is closed or a personal accomplishment is achieved.

Get Well Cards show that your company cares when someone is not feeling their best.

Sympathy Cards are thoughtful gestures that will be warmly remembered.

Thinking of You Cards are perfect anytime for just staying connected. Use them to strengthen your business relationships.

A professional greeting card is an appropriate opportunity to say that your business cares about more than just the sale. By treating your customers, business associates and employees like family, you are building company loyalty and strengthening your business partnerships. As you would a family member, celebrate good times and offer support during the bad by thoughtfully remembering others.

Tags: business appreciation cards, business greeting cards, congratulations cards, corporate greeting cards, get well cards, Greeting Cards, Sympathy Cards, thinking of you cards
Posted in: Congratulations Cards , Customer Appreciation Cards , Get Well , Greeting Cards , Sympathy Cards , Thinking of You | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 12 January , 2009

As we did last year, CardsDirect is now accepting your unused greeting cards. We sort and send those that can be reused to non-profit organizations that can make use of them. This is a great way to de-clutter your surroundings as well as do something nice that will benefit others and the environment.

We can accept printed and unprinted cards as many charities will take the front of the cards and paste them on blanks or use them for craft projects. Christmas and holiday cards, unused birthday cards and sympathy cards; all are welcome. For those cards that are not in the best of shape or suitable for reuse we will deliver them to an approved recycling center.

If interested, send all your unwanted greeting cards, with or without envelopes, to:

CardsDirect Recycling and Reuse Program
200 Chisholm Place, Suite 220
Plano, TX 75075

Click here for more information on the CardsDirect Recycled and Reuse Program.

And, if you are or know of deserving non-profit organizations that may be interested in these donated cards, let us know.

Tags: Birthday Cards, charitable organizations, donate greeting cards, environment, non-profits, recycle, recycled greeting cards, recycling greeting cards, repurposing greeting cards, Sympathy Cards, unused greeting cards
Posted in: Birthday Cards , Charity Holiday Cards , Christmas Cards , Greeting Cards , Holiday Cards , Recycled Cards , Sympathy Cards | No Comments »

Posted by Leah at 22 December , 2008

Our final selection in the “Design of the Week” series is a tranquil sympathy card.  Printed on 100% recycled brown Kraft card stock, a simple floral design decorates this lovely greeting that sends Our Deepest Sympathy in style.

 

The Design of the Week series features selected recycled cards in a variety of categories during the holiday season.  Each can be seen by typing Design of the Week in the search box on the website.  A CardsDirect exclusive, the weekly winner wears a green sash.

 

As with all cards from CardsDirect, your custom imprinted verse and personalization is included and each card comes with a matching envelope.

 

Order cards for all occasions now so that you will have just the right card on hand for use at a moments notice.  An attractive and personalized greeting shows that you are a professional that cares about your clients, business associates, friends and family.  We know you will especially enjoy these design of the week exclusives that are guaranteed to be in stock.

Tags: Design of the Week, Greeting Cards, personalized greeting cards, Recycled Cards, Sympathy Cards
Posted in: Design of the Week , Greeting Cards , Recycled Cards , Sympathy Cards | No Comments »