More Than WE Know

In the overwhelming flood of mail and advertisements of the holiday season, how do you stand out from the rest, and ensure your customers keep you and your business at the top of their minds? 

The following ideas can be even more effective than a traditional card that is quickly read and then lost among the pile.  

First, instead of a traditional card, send a holiday email to your customers  - let them know that you are purposely not sending holiday cards and limiting the amount of seasonal paper advertising you are sending - in order to promote an environmentally-friendly Green Holiday season. 

If you want to go further you can also let them know that you are contributing the amount you usually spend on paper-based advertising to a local pro-environment organization.

And to really get, and keep,their attention - Include a list that will be helpful to their holiday planning. Be sure to include your company and contact info on the list, so they have it handy. 

• if you’re a realtor or decorator - send a list of tips on decorating for the season
• if you’re a florist - send a list of tips to keep trees green and pointsettias red
• if you’re a craftsperson - send a how-to guide for some simple crafts
• if you’re a baker, restaurant owner or other food related service  - send a favorite holiday recipe 
• if you own a market - send a list of items people always run out of and should keep on hand during the holidays (ex. eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, whipped cream, etc.)  
• if you’re a masseuse or yoga instructor - send tips for reducing holiday stress
• if you’re a nutritionist - send tips on eating healthy during holiday parties
• if you’re an accountant - send a tipsheet on tracking charitable deductions and deductible holiday expenses
• if you’re a bookseller - send a list of top holiday reads by age group
• if you’re a retail shop owner - send a list of gifts for “hard to buy for” people - adult children, aging parents, teachers, co-workers, etc. or a list of stocking stuffers
• if you’re a daycare provider - send a list of activities that will keep kids quiet and busy during the school holidays
• if you’re a video store owner - send  a list of favorite holiday movies by category
• if you’re a veterinarian, groomer, trainer or seller of pet supplies - send a list of holiday pet care dangers to avoid - pointsettias, tinsel, trees, etc.
• if you’re a life coach - send tips on time management
• if you’re an executive coach - send tips on managing work-life balance for self and employees
• and regardless of what your business is,  if your customers are local - send a list of holiday events, light displays, parades and shows in your community 

The idea is to provide something of value that they will want to hang on to, and as a consequence, think of you every time they refer to it.

So now that you have the idea - what lists can you come up with????

(For more ideas on making Christmas Cards stand out see Martin Russell’s 5 Tips For Your Christmas Card Marketing posted at Comments for Word of Mouth Marketing.)

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