Christmas Cards

EBPcivicsi

EBPcivicsi

GOT PREP?
Now I am no pro, so this might be cost prohibitive for you guys, but I have had great success with this "marketing" idea. I use shutterfly to create holiday cards using a good picture of the customer's vehicle (obviously taken at the time of the detail). I make sure to write a personalized greeting within the card, then send them out. I also make sure to include their spouse's name as well dogs and kids if they have any(I make notes of these names as they talk in general conversation during the detail, then write them down in their "file" as I leave).



My thinking (and so far it has worked) is that the owner will not only be reminded of my services, but will display the card in their holder where it will catch the attention of everyone who stops in for the holiday season. They also seem more likely to "show off" the card becasue it is personalized and "neat." :)



I also have been purchasing candy canes, tie a few together with a decorative ribbon (scavenged for the wife's gift wrapping supplies), and placing them on the passenger's seat upon completing the detail. I do this for the entire month of December, it's not much, but it sets me apart.



Just thought I would share.



What do you guys do for Christmas cards?
 
Shhh, we don't say Christmas anymore...Remember it's just "Holidays"...(A huge Colbert Report fan right here :lol:)





With regards to your question, I think its an excellent idea. Get a catchy photo for the front, personalize each one respective to the client and hand sign; you're set.





Happy Honda Days :).
 
Since all of my digital pics of clients' cars were lost in a computer crash, I don't have an option of putting a pic in the card. I would do it in a heartbeat if I had them though. What I'm doing this year is writing a little personal holiday note on my holiday promotional postcard by hand.



What do you guys write in the Christmas card? Hope all is well, Merry Christmas, etc. Call me for an appointment. Or do you avoid anything business related and write it as an entirely personal "best wishes from me to you" holiday card?
 
Porkanbeans said:
Since all of my digital pics of clients' cars were lost in a computer crash, I don't have an option of putting a pic in the card. I would do it in a heartbeat if I had them though. What I'm doing this year is writing a little personal holiday note on my holiday promotional postcard by hand.



What do you guys write in the Christmas card? Hope all is well, Merry Christmas, etc. Call me for an appointment. Or do you avoid anything business related and write it as an entirely personal "best wishes from me to you" holiday card?
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I write it entirely personal, no need for the mention of business, the card automatically makes them think of that. IMO, writing something like "call me for your next appointment" makes the card less genuine, more motivated if you will.
 
Porkanbeans said:
What do you guys write in the Christmas card? Hope all is well, Merry Christmas, etc. Call me for an appointment. Or do you avoid anything business related and write it as an entirely personal "best wishes from me to you" holiday card?
Click to expand...





Other than personally signing the cards, I don't write anything inside the cards.



I also think it's a good idea to avoid anything that makes it look like you are trying to promote your business.
 
I have sent out Christmas cards to my customers for the past two years. I always write something along the lines of, "Thank you for your business this year - I hope you and your family have a happy holiday season and a healthy New Year!" and sign it. This year, however, I chose to include a small piece of paper that said gift certificates are available at a discount for the holiday season and I got a few calls for those and to schedule appointments.



I think including a picture of their car is a nice touch though, I might do that next year.
 
magictouch24 said:
I have sent out Christmas cards to my customers for the past two years. I always write something along the lines of, "Thank you for your business this year - I hope you and your family have a happy holiday season and a healthy New Year!" and sign it. This year, however, I chose to include a small piece of paper that said gift certificates are available at a discount for the holiday season and I got a few calls for those and to schedule appointments.
Click to expand...



Hey, next year you could always mail out 'Thank You' cards before Thanksgiving and include information about your discounted gift certificates in with those cards. That way, people will know well in advance about your offer and it'll give them more time before the holidays to schedule an appointment too.
 
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