Holiday Card Do's and Don'ts

Have you ever received a holiday card that just made you cringe? Whether it's a picture of the cousins and their cat in matching pjs or Great Aunt Mildred in a DIY wrapping paper dress, there's some things you just can't unsee. While sending out bad cards to family is a tradition to some, it's not one you want to carry over into your business. Here are some do's and don'ts to help your greeting cards shine this holiday season.

When you're designing and sharing your business's holiday cards, here are some tips to keep in mind:

DO'S

1. Customize your cards with your logo. Branding should take center stage with all your marketing.
2. Send your cards to previous clients – this is a great chance to get referrals from people you may not have spoken to in a few years.
3. Proofread your cards for typos and mistakes.
4. Include a company update – any anniversaries, location changes, or awards you've received are great holiday card material.
5. Include your contact information! Make sure your address, photo, phone number, and brokerage are up to date.
6. Include a personal message – a handwritten "thank you" or "best wishes" can show your sincerity. Hand signing each card is also a nice touch.
7. Send a digital card to all your leads and contacts and a physical card to former and active clients.
8. Post your holiday card on social media!

There are also some mistakes you want to avoid when making and sending your greeting cards:

DON'TS

1. Don't use generic, store bought cards for your business.
2. Don't use so many graphics that your brand disappears in the card, but feel free to use your colors, fonts, and logo.
3. Don't include offensive or inappropriate material. Skip the sexy Santa costume and alcohol themed pictures.
4. Don't try so hard to be politically correct that your card is dull or misses the point of the holidays.
5. Don't give too much information on your card. You don't want to overwhelm your recipient.
6. Don't skimp on the card's material. A card printed on computer paper and folded in half is not going to get you the same results as a professionally printed job – make it nice.
7. Don't procrastinate – getting your cards printed takes time. Plan at least a week to print and another week to arrive once you've mailed them.
8. Don't make a sales pitch. There is a time and place to sell, this isn't it.

With these tips in mind, go forth and spread some holiday cheer! For a quick and easy way to create your personalized greeting cards, check out the Homes.com Marketing Center! For other fun holiday tips and ideas, download our free holiday eBooks, Home for the Holidays Handbook and the Holiday Entertaining Guide.

To view the original article, visit the Homes.com blog.