[Mike Halliday]

Just sorting out my card list for customers, do you think putting a voucher for January in the envelope would be a little bit 'tacky', should I use the card just as a good will gesture or is it ok to use it as a marketing opportunity.

Another idea I had was to get a stamp made and stamp the back of the card....... ' show this Xmas card for a £10 discount in January'

I've got 100s to go out so don't want to miss the opportunity tp build up some work for Jan

[Simon Gerrard]

Mike,
If you put a voucher in saying that it is to say thanks for your business in 2011 - that way it is a present rather than a sales pitch.

Simon

[Mike Halliday]

  . I like that!!

A slight problem is they will receive it the 1st week of December so might try and use it then rather than save it until jan

[Simon Gerrard]

Mike,
That's where the fine print comes in. Valid from 1st Jan 2012.
 
Simon

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Depends when you send it, if you were to send it later in the month as a gesture I'm sure that people would accept that with a week to 10 days to go to Xmas that they have left it late and may be persuaded to book for January instead.

Shaun

Ps you could even offer the stain removal service you did a few years ago

[wayne zabel]

I sent a Xmas card and 15% off voucher (transferable to family and friends in Jan/Feb) to everyone I'd worked for last year.

Got only 1 taker!!.

[derek west]

i find xmas cards from businesses insulting, youve worked for them, they paid you to work, your not there friends no matter how pally you were on the day. i get quite a few off pizza curry and chinese takeaways. they go straight in the bin.

everyones different though, but thats my angle. i would never use a personal time of year to promote my business. i suppose thats why i'm so anti pirahna.

got my jan feb marketting sorted. i do nothing for xmas.

[AshWhite]

Derek, I'm surprised you don't get one off Ronald!

[Mike Halliday]

Wayne, I do lots of things that seem not work, but I'm busy most of the time. I Believe everything has a cumulative effect. These cards might not bring in a great deal of work but they keep me in the customers mind, so 3 months later when they do need something cleaning they remember me.

I don't  know if anyone remembers last year I gave out cans of de-icer, last month I got a job from the carpet shop who I gave 4 cans too.......10 months later!! They mentioned 2 cans were still under the counter.

Lots of little things continuously  

Derek in some ways I agree.... But when it comes to marketing I always think will it do any harm or impact on my company in a negative way if not then no matter how wacky I'll give it a go

[derek west]

Derek, I'm surprised you don't get one off Ronald!

naaaaa, i get presents off ronald.

[fitz2kleen]

Derek, I'm surprised you don't get one off Ronald!

naaaaa, i get presents off ronald.

the likkle toy ones in your happy meal? 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I get Xmas cards off many suppliers JK and Lynn send me a calendar I see it as a bit of friendship in fact it's nice to be thought of and the reverse is I think about them and thank them for it, if someone gave you a small present you don't have to automatically give back but eventually you do (and the olduns love it!)

Shaun

[Steve Gunn]

I get Xmas cards off many suppliers JK and Lynn send me a calendar I see it as a bit of friendship in fact it's nice to be thought of and the reverse is I think about them and thank them for it, if someone gave you a small present you don't have to automatically give back but eventually you do (and the olduns love it!)

Shaun

We want a boobie calender not wild animals or pretty pics of rivers etc 

[mark_roberts]

I agree with Derek.

Imagine getting a birthday card or Christmas card from your plumber who fixed a boiler problem in April. I just think its a bit cringe.

Supplier and close business relationships are different as their more regular and business to business.

Mark

[Mike Halliday]

this must be a personal thing because if I got a card from the plumber  I'd think what a decent bloke.

the question to ask really is... would a customer get a xmas card and think why has the carpet cleaner sent me an xmas card?..... I won't use him again

 I don't think they would. some might think it a bit informal but i don't think anyone would be put off by it

[Steve Gunn]

I've give a couple of my customers bottles of champagne when they had their babies  they still use me and recommend me to everyone,getting a card is no reason for them to stop using you.

[Neil Williams]

And here's the Hampshire verdict
I'll send cards out to customers with logo/name inside, but each envelope is hand written and personally signed inside. No tacty vouchers etc. I want that card to be hung up in their houses not treated as yet another in your face advertising gimmick.
We used to use this saying on our stationary "They are not just our customers they are our friends." And we try and stick to that now.

Try and keep it personal it is Christmas afterall.

[Gabriel Nagy]

In my opinion is not a bad idea...every thing about marketing helps...

[Jim_77]

The Northamptonshire verdict

I think there is a huge irony in my opinion on this.  I would only send cards to my regulars who I have a bit more of a personal touch kind of relationship with - the ones you use first names with.  Therefore no matter whether or not I sent a Christmas card it would not make any difference to how much business I got from them!

[Paul anderson]

According to me,Everyone expresses happiness on this Eve and Christmas is hard to forget.For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.