The Gritty Virtual Assistant Blog

Have you noticed this Send-Out-Cards craze lately?

It’s this MLM affiliate type company that will send their printed cards that you purchase and personalize online. You can send them to whoever you wish, and they will print, stuff and label them for you. What you do is purchase one of several "levels" of membership. Of course, they want you to also try to sell memberships to lots and lots of other business people, too.

Their motto is "changing lives one card at a time." And you can "create residual income" while you’re at it. Ick!

I an so not feeling this! And my disdain increased upon receiving several of these cards this holiday season.

They are cheap looking and poorly crafted. I certainly don’t feel especially thought of by a generic card printed by a machine right down to the signature. Gee, don’t put yourself out on my account.

On top of that, the intention doesn’t feel very genuine when you know that profit is its root.

On one of the listservs I belong to, there was a hearty discussion about sending notes and cards. It was pretty much unanimously agreed that a handwritten card with a personal note is the best way to make a friend, colleague or client feel special. Something as simple as sending a personal greeting card can really make a huge impression in this day and age of impersonal electronica.

Says Mark Merenda of SmartMarketing, "The little things count. Clients will value any communications from you (note, newsletter, email, whatever) commensurate with the amount of time and effort they estimate you put into it."

Here’s a round-up of card/note sending etiquette the group decided what imperative:

1. Nicely printed and crafted plain notecards are better than cheap, poorly made ones any day.
2. On very special occasions, hand select cards for the individual person.
3. Sign each card by hand.
4. Write a personal note. It doesn’t have to be lengthy.
5. Don’t include business cards. If your intent was to let them know you were thinking of them, don’t mess that feeling up by then turning around and making them think they are "nothing but" a client to you.
6. If you want to include your business details, simply have some cards printed with your contact info on the back, or affix clear printed labels on the back.
7. This one is a toss-up: some say to handwrite the return address; others say it’s okay to affix a printed return address label. I personally like the latter idea. I think you can still be professional and personal at the same time.

So, there are some card-giving tips for you. Just please don’t use those Send-Out-Cards. Ack. They’re awful!