December 15th, 2010
by Lorrie Thomas
Tis the season to get holiday web-greeting wiggy… fa la la la la la la la la….. 
During the holidays, I find too many organizations and business leaders get super wiggy (wasting time and money) trying to do the right thing by sending last minute holiday gifts, messages, cards…all while trying to run their businesses.
Seasons teachings: Holiday messages to clients and partners don’t have to be stressful or expensive, they can be fun, easy and meaningful! Here are some easy peasy guidelines that you can use to help send holiday greetings cheer without taking copious amounts of time or breaking the bank.
1. When in stress, stop and remember the focus needs to be MEANINGFUL. Don’t feel like you need to send a gift or an e-card for the sake of sending! A meaning-less gift could leave a negative impression, especially if you bombard their email inboxes with ecards that doen’t say much or worse, sending fattening sugar gifts that will expand pant sizes! (Do you really think people get excited seeing more junk food arrive??)
The owner of one of the websites I guest write for sends his writers a box of oranges from a nearby orchard (not Harry and David!) for the holidays with a personally written note. It is healthy, beautiful (the oranges brighten the office!) and is so meaningful and memorable.
2. Messages or gifts resonate more when they are PERSONAL. Simple things like a thank you message (email, video, ecard, blog post) that extends your “attitude of gratitude” honoring the people that keep you in business. Let them know all the great work you have been up to and what you have in store for the new year. Letting people know that if it weren’t for customers like them, you wouldn’t be in business.
I was with one of my long-term clients and suggested that he send his email list a personal note saying what a great year it was, highlighting some of the key news, thanking his clients for their business and sharing what was in store for 2011. He looked at me with that confused puppy dog face (you know that face, tweaked head, cute eyes…) and I could tell he was wondering “why would we take the time to do that vs. sell something in the email”. Answer: Because it would be NICE and help connect more with your customers!!!! A little heart in your holiday messaging goes a long way!
Using companies like www.jacquielawson.com (if that is your personality) could be a nice way to send holiday cheer.
3. Final tip: Be CREATIVE. THINK! Don’t feel like gift baskets, paper cards, ecards or email is the only way to play. You can use the WEB to message via:
-Blog Posts
-Web Pages
-Nice holiday card in a PDF (that your webmaster can post to your site so you can have a link in the email vs an attachment (who opens attachments anymore?)
-Video
-Facebook post
-Holiday banner on your website
As your Marketing Therapist, I have to dish out some spoonfulls of marketing sugar and remind you all that ideas are ONLY great if they are executed brilliantly. Don’t do a holiday message for the sake of doing one. Use the low cost (or no cost) easy tips above and if you are still stressed, then STOP.
…You can always wait til 2011 and do a New Year’s message when everybody is back and focused!
Listen to my seasons teachings audio tips on Blog Talk Radio!!! May your holiday messages be personal, meaningful and help keep the cyber love alive with clients!!!
Jane Saunders
(December 17th, 2010 at 9:47 pm)
Lorrie, I love the idea of sending out messages for the New Year.
And, thanks for the great holiday marketing tips. They’re very sweet!!
Jane