M3rry Chr1$tm@$?
ecards: sad or smart?
You may know my patchy attitude to Christmas cheer*.
I now see ecards are making a comeback.
At first blush, I consider these an abomination.
But, having chatted to my level-headed PA-to-CEO wife, I see there are several chapters to this Christmas carol.
So let’s take a closer look.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Firms like Enteract have taken ecards to a new level.
Bodgy artwork and tinny tracks have been replaced by swish designs and clever mail-merge techniques that add a new level of personalisation.
I must admit they don’t look bad at all.
Bah!
Enteract says its products, ‘Save time and thrill your customers …’
While the first is certainly true, I don’t know how ‘thrilled’ I’d be to get one of these things in lieu of a printed, posted, hand-written card.
Merry Christmas Trees
Then again, printing means paper and paper means trees. So am I the eco-terrorist for wanting the real thing?
Humbug!
But surely, sending your wishes by mail merge is the antithesis of a meaningful seasonal message?
Yule Tired
Then again, who among us hasn’t quailed at signing a pile of corporate cards, sending meaningless messages to clients we never see?
Perhaps ecards constitute extreme cleverness for a new generation.
Xmas Queer?
But what if it all went horribly WRONG – thus offending your entire workforce, customer base or client portfolio in one terrible moment?
Stranger things happened at a certain bank last week.
Jingle All The Way
Cost is another important consideration. Enteract promotes its ecards as, ‘From 10c …’
That would certainly make any comptroller’s Christmas.
Chocolate Coins
But to get that rate, you must buy 50,000 ecards!
Can anyone name an organisation with that many people on their Christmas list?
The more modest quantity of 200 ecards attracts a price of $1 each.
While this is cheaper than buying, signing and posting a physical card, you’re still paying a buck for an email.
Wish List
As you can see, my opinion is squarely divided on this matter.
It’s my dearest wish that you give us your view so we can wrap this debate.
Please help me get down the chimney
or off the pot!
*See Magic Fauxments, Gift Rap and Sole Trader Christmas Party.
Paul Hassing, Founder & Senior Writer, The Feisty Empire
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
PS. You may wonder why I chose Enteract. Well, I try to make this blog reflect actual stuff that happens to or around me. Fonnie forwarded a prospecting email that Enteract had been enterprising enough to send her. Neither of us uses Enteract. They happened to cross the blog line just as this train was passing.
Never been a fan of the e-card. When I get them, I feel nothing – they mean nothing…
While I agree Christmas Cards are ridiculously expensive, why not think out of the box and do a Christmas Flyer that has no celloglaze so you can personalise each one?
I don’t think there is an ideal solution to this problem!
Many thanks for your view, Leah. Is celloglaze the stuff that stops you being able to write in pen? Does it happen to be toxic too?
Hi Paul,
I don’t mind receiving ecards as long as they are funny or different. Some allow you to add a personalised message. I don’t see much difference to receiving cards that are signed and you can tell the person has written the same thing to everyone with the same card design.
I think the main thing is to say thank you for the support, purchases etc what you use I think is secondary.
Hi Susan. I agree with you on the funny/different score. And, come to think of it, everything else you just said!
BTW, I have a few dozen Fluffy Discovers the Christmas Lights cards rattling around Empire House. If you’d like some freebies, email me and I’ll post them to you. Thank you for commenting!
Golly! THIS is timely:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/human-error-triggered-nab-software-corruption/story-e6frgakx-1225962953523
Hi Paul:
I think you have to trust your first intuition on this one: ecards ARE an abomination. (Love “Yule Tired.” Brilliant!)
Number one, ecards are untrustworthy: People are wary of opening anything online for fear they’ll fall victim to a phishing scheme or wind up on a no-exit spam list. I rarely open ecards–even when they’re from friends. In fact, I feel annoyed when they come from friends–my inner monologue being “Don’t they know better–or know me better?”
Secondly, ecards are…how to put this? Tacky.
For me, the pleasure of cards–and letters and thank-you notes–lies in their personal touch and their tactile nature. I like to send good quality stock, design and art. To my mind, why bother to send a card if it’s just a push-button mass mailing?
For the last several years, I’ve sent New Year cards to a short list of clients and business associates. I print the cards myself on heavy stock, using one of GapingVoid.com’s cartoons. I’m a huge fan of Hugh MacLeod and many of his non-X-rated cartoons have a philosophical/spiritual bent that feels right for the season. I compose the sentiment inside the card and hand sign each one.
I like the ritual of making and signing these cards–it lets me take a pause and think about my clients, end-of-year recollections, future goals, etc.
Dear Lorraine, thank you for such a generous response!
If your cards are half as thoughtful as your blog comments, your recipients must be very happy campers indeed.
Thanks also for raising elements that had completely slipped my mind. I’ve put the call out to Enteract. It’ll be great if they can respond to your excellent points.
It’s always a thrill to have you visit us from your hemisphere. Thanks again. P.
G’Day Paul,
I’ve avoided ecards entirely until now. But with 200+ blog subscribers from overseas, it’s an issue that’ll confront me this year. I like Lorraine’s idea of a Gaping Void image.
I guess that the one thing I’ll try to do is make the greeting a stand alone thing, not tag it onto the end of a blog. To the Australians, I’ll probably sent a picture of James Hird on Kevin Sheedy’s shoulders with the caption, “To your past and future success.” AFL has great religious significance to all perceptive Aussies!
Make sure you have fun
Regards
Leon
Hiya, Leon. I’m delighted you’re faced with that particular problem!
Lorraine is FULL of good ideas. As are you, by the sound of it. But beware the Un-Australian footy atheist!
http://www.squidoo.com/CollingwoodFootballClub
Thank you once again for sharing your perspective.
Gosh, I’m glad that I don’t work in NABs IT department anymore (haven’t for some years), not that I was allowed anywhere near the mainframe. In fact, NAB pulled most of the BNZs mainframe from Wellington to Melbourne anyway, so we said goodbye to our favourite mainframe operators.
Anyway, back to the Christmas spirit, add a little charity:
http://www.worldwide.com.au/christmas-cards.htm
This company and many others pledge to donate a small amount to charity when you buy paper cards. Be nice to your clients and support a good cause. Oh, and we only send cards to our top customers (which doesnt exclude our favourites that actually dont spend the most with us).
I’ve also seen companies send a one-page newsletter and mention that the money saved from not buying cards has been donated to Charity X, but at least you still get a nice little ’seasons greetings & thank you’ newsletter. Somehow this approach sits better with me than the ‘charity donation in lieu of a gift’.
-Sonia
G’day Folks,
Paul – top-notch as always;
Lorraine – Marry me!
Leon – “AFL has great religious significance to all perceptive Aussies”? Are you sure that’s what you meant? Because if it is, I’ll happily hang-up all of my sensibilities (actual & delusional), to extricate myself from that ‘tarry’ little brush with populist oblivion.
When virtual communication becomes ‘real’ to those that use it, denial is endemic, insanity rife, and the demise of ‘humanity’ as ‘we forgot about it’, imminent. It’s life Captain but not as we…umm…
Though I imagine that ‘e-Cruci-fiction’ is somewhat less painful…what with e-nails and e-hammers and e-Romans and e-wot-not?
If you value people ‘actually’ show it! If you value clients ‘actually’ show it! If you value ‘convenience’ at the expense of others, ‘e-actually’ avoid any kind of human connection and respect at all costs.
I mean, hasn’t anyone noticed that we are having a conversation about how to value people (in this case mostly ‘clients’ that feed us and our families), cost effectively, at Christmas no less? Is ‘Good Will’ really just a notional/intangible business asset?
Mairy Krissmuss,
Stephen G
Well, two of my Christmasses just came at once!
Sonia, that is a ripper website you’ve flagged. And your ideas add further light and sparkle to our discussion. Thank you.
And speaking of stars atop the tree, welcome back Stephen!
So nice to see you again. I’ve missed you and your contributions which, I see, have lost none of their lustre.
Thank you both very much for visiting.
The e-card is a cop out and shows no commitment to anything other than lip service.
I much prefer to receive a nice hand written card so I can chuck it straight in the bin.
I like it more if it’s accompanied by a bottle of bourbon.
I have a work experience kid coming in next week to write 100 cards for me.
Malcolm, I think you just won on points!
The only threat I can imagine to the supremacy of your comment might come from Adam.
Thank you for your full and frank admissions (which may yet prove admissable!)
Now let me get this straight:
1) e-card = “cop out”
2) Child Labour = ‘commitment’?
Does your free Christmas Card writing ‘kid’ come with a complimentary bottle of bourbon?
Mind you, at least the ‘kid’ will be able to add this to his/her Resume: ‘Writing GENUINE Christmas Cards and Forging Malcolm’s signature’.
I miss you Malcolm…great to see you as always.
Cheers
Someone obviously impersonating Stephen G who would never in his wildest dreams disagree with Malcolm.
It’s so nice we can provide a place for young hearts to reunite!
It’s all about me, as usual!
How else could be it when all else is illusion?
One cannot truly know the last thing to pass through the mind of the Grasshopper when it hits the windscreen…
Be at peace…as usual.
Hugs and LED
Swami Windjananda
Call now for your free introductory Darshan to:
Windjamukti – Liberation through the Ancient Art of Windjing
Ah, thanks for the laughs at the end of a busy day.
Putting aside the issue of what kind of card, my view is if you’re going to send them, at least include a message. I’ve never understood why people would send a christmas card across the world that says “To Melinda, From Such and Such”, but narry a message in sight.
Thank you, Mel. We do have fun in here. And thanks for making that excellent point.
Hi all and thanks for your input. There certainly is a lot of varied opinion on our eCards. Something to keep in mind with our eCards is that you can send them one-at-a-time (enabling a completely unique message on a per card basis) or 10,000 at a time (a lot easier and more cost-effective that handwritten cards). This covers off everyone’s requirement (except for those who don’t like eCards that is!). The other option is to add to the astonishing levels of waste that Christmas produces. Take a a few US figures here: http://www.recycleworks.org/resident/holiday_facts.html
To Quote: “The 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high”.
Regards,
Ben Lyden
Managing Director
Enteract Pty Ltd
Dear Ben, thank you very much for your welcome and enlightening perspective.
I’m delighted you saw fit to join our debate. You’ve left me better informed and I’ll be interested to see if our readers feel likewise.
We’ve been doing this blog for nearly two years. And it’s not common for a company (let alone its leader) to step up to the plate like you have. So thanks again.
My sincere apologies to those whose comments I just edited or deleted.
This is something I never wanted to do. A point of difference I’d hoped to preserve, to make our forum special.
Alas. I was mistaken.
I don’t open ecards. Haven’t for years. Too much risk, to too little reward. Actually, the whole ecards thing takes me on a flashback and its 1998 again. I can hear the midi’s now…
What I do like is being able to use the Cloud to create personal – I mean personal – cards that are an expression of my personality, and perhaps a good fit for the person I’m wanting to send a card too, have it designed with pictures and content that is exactly what I want, be able to do this at 2am and have it processed, printed and stuffed into an envelope with a stamp on it and be delivered to the person I am sending it to, so they get it in their hand safe and sound to share the moment.
Now Christmas itself is not such a big deal for me and frankly I think there is a case for sending something at the start of the year, but if sending for Christmas is the go, then make it something special, either fun or moving or with some practical use, not just an el-cheapo generic junky thing that screams “I don’t really care about you but I feel compelled to go through the motions”.
Great to hear from you, Lindy. I never imagined there’d be so many sides to this debate.
I’ve read about the Cloud but I still can’t get my head around (in?) it.
Would it be too much trouble, therefore, for you to expand on your cloud-based method?
Cloud based method is available as retail or wholesale. Works as simply as uploading or entering contacts, will prompt you if you want to set alarms for reminding you of special dates to send a card, and will print and send from Melbourne in Australia, or from the US if you want to send cards there (or anywhere else in the world). You can use the standard layouts if you prefer (I prefer not to, though they have about 13,000 different ones) and I like to use my own pictures, photos etc, and add my own text as suits the occasion.
I am a great believer in sending thank you cards and the like, have been for a long time, but I am terrible at getting organised to do that and too picky when it comes to buying cards (never something that is quite the right ‘fit’), so this is a no brainer for me.
Last Christmas I sent cards to friends in the wintery US with pics of our local surfers in santa hats, and a suitably pithy quote on the inside. Done right, these are a very nice way to present a high quality card that is an original. This can be saved as a piece to use again in future to send to others where appropriate. But even creating a new design is a simple matter and can be a single postcard (good for holidays, you can upload holiday snap and send a personal postcard from where you are and not have to worry about stamps and post offices), a two panel, or three panel card.
Thank you very much, Lindy; that is ALL news to me!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
The stuff you LEARN in this joint!
Hi Everyone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas on the use of ecards and cards. It’s great to hear from you all!
eCards work for some and not for others. Just like everything else that has it’s pros and cons. It’ll also be impacted by personal preference and business needs. It’s about whatever works best for you and your business.
Mel is spot on – whatever you use (ecard or card) put a friendly message in it!
Never liked e-cards and never used them. If I don’t know you personally in terms of a business relationship (ie having spoken to you several times throughout the year), then I won’t send you a card.
Doing a mail merge and sending a card to everyone is just plain tacky and pointless, no value. I could have just as well sent you my business card again.
The challenge is what to do with your hundreds of customers. Maybe investing in a newsletter during the year to keep in touch with them would be a good idea and then including your Xmas message in that.
I also don’t think that there is a reason to send every customer a card just because its Xmas. They are more likely to read the message during the year when they need you more than at Xmas when they are busy tying up lose ends before going on leave.
I must say I agree with you, Arthur. I try to be exceptionally grateful and friendly and communicative to my clients all during the year, per the teachings of my business coach.
As a non-religious outrider, I’ve no desire to jump on the bandwagon just because everyone else is sending cards.
So I don’t send cards at all. I guess it takes all sorts …
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
This article makes me wary:
http://www.theage.com.au/business/telstra-redfaced-after-email-error-20101207-18nwp.html
And now this:
http://www.theage.com.au/business/bank-woes-spread-to-commonwealth-20101214-18vvo.html