Use These Tips For Greeting Cards

By PETER POST


When it comes to sending holiday cards, the road is full of potential potholes for businesses and individuals. Here are 10 tips for delivering successful, stress-free season's greetings.

First, some tips for the company:

1. Since you're making a list, check it twice - carefully. Make sure each person you're sending a card to is still a valued client, supplier, or friend of the company.

2. Check the spelling of everyone's name. People are likely to remember seeing their name misspelled long after the card has been thrown away.

3. Check the address to be sure it's current.

4. Remember that holiday cards are a bit more personal than the usual business correspondence, so don't use them to sell products or services.

5. Beware of messages containing religious overtones. This is the time for an inclusive greeting that focuses on thanking people for the past year and offering best wishes for the year to come.

6. Sending cards via e-mail may seem like a simple solution, but it can backfire. First, you can never be sure your card will actually reach the intended recipient. Spam blockers often prevent even the most innocuous-looking e-mail from getting through. In addition, the recipient has to print the card to display it. Think how your card, printed on 20-lb. white stock, will look next to other people's cards that have been printed on heavier, high-quality paper.

7. The person in charge of addressing cards will be forever grateful for this tip: Labels or printed addresses are acceptable. You really don't have to hand-address every envelope.

When sending personal holiday cards to business colleagues:

8. Decide what's reasonable for you. Start by determining how much you can afford to spend on cards, then make a list of recipients. Review who sent cards to you last year, as well as any new people you want to add to the list.

9. Send cards to people's homes - even those you work with. This sidesteps the problem of not giving a card to everyone at the office and also avoids putting pressure on co-workers who might feel that if you're giving cards to everyone, they should, too.

10. When you receive a card, write or tape the return address on the back of the card before tossing the envelope. Later, you can check it against your files to make sure you have the most up-to-date address.

Happy holidays and best wishes for a successful New Year!

E-mail Peter Post at bizmanners@globe.com.