5 tips to make the most of holiday cards for networking
Holiday cards for networking adds a personal touch
Hand-written cards are a rarity these days, but holiday cards for networking are the perfect way to stay visible and in touch
Sending seasonal greetings to your network contacts is a perfect opportunity to strengthen and cultivate relationships. This allows you to add a more personal dimension to your professional dealings. But there are some key dos and don’t when you use holiday cards for networking purposes to avoid making any faux pas.
Sending cards by post during the holiday season is a declining practise with internet and online cards giving some of the traditional manufacturers stiff competition. Postal services can be slower than they used to be with delivery more unreliable. People are perhaps more sensitive to diverse cultures that celebrate other holidays. The US has traditionally been more aware of that, referencing the whole period as “the holidays.” In Europe we are more focused on Christmas and the New Year either together or separately. Now environmental issues are also a consideration.
Sending a greetings card is a good way of standing out from the crowd today, simply because fewer people are doing it. It can be add a personal touch to networking and a key differentiator. It also shifts the nature of your relationship from a neutral business connection to something more personal. It’s a gracious gesture and can serve you well.
5 tips to make the most of holiday cards for networking
#1 Update your address book
This is a good moment to update your data base, black book or Rolodex. It doesn’t matter if you are high or low tech. The most important thing is not to miss out a key contact. Decide who you want to send a card to.
#2 Choose your card wisely
Select a neutral, good quality and tasteful card with a universally appropriate message, unless you know the specific religious or cultural affiliation of the recipient. Non-denominational messages related to good health, peace, happiness and best wishes for the upcoming year will all be well received. Some organizations publish on their calendars other holidays such as Hannukkah and Diwali. A quick Google search should do the trick.
Select a card that is recyclable. Some cards with elaborate embossing and glitter which are made of plastic which can’t be recycled and are dangerous to marine life if that stuff gets into the ocean or rivers.
#3 Hand write your card
Avoid having your signature pre-printed. You can include a business card with your LinkedIn URL included on it so that the recipient will have your contact details if they wish to reach out to you or respond. Business cards sometimes don’t carry a street address. You can buy a sender label or write your own address on the envelope.
#4 Personalise your message
If you want to acknowledge a special relationship or support, this is a good time to add a short and gracious thank you. Do not mention any business in the pipeline whether it’s a job application or a commercial deal. That changes the tone of the message and can be perceived as being pushy and tacky.
If you are not fully acquainted with the person the best advice is to leave off any personal details. We never know what is going on for other people. Many find the holiday season lonely and depressing.
Some even say don’t print labels. I would have no problem with this. At least it guarantees that the card will reach its destination unless you have impeccable handwriting.
#5 Use snail mail
It is so rare today to get a hand written personal card that they now stand out. If you mail your card in good time, it will be perhaps added to a wall of cards or be displayed in some other way. Some cultures send New Year cards and those will be appreciated well into January.
Using holiday cards for networking is a low-cost and personal way of letting your contacts know they have been in your thoughts. That always counts.
Contact 3Plus for corporate networking training or coaching for your organisation.
Found that interesting?
Learn more about our services
Individual services
Make your dreams a reality with a professional evaluation of your career to date.
Corporate services
The evidence is in. More women in your company can deliver 35% greater financial returns. (Catalyst)
Upcoming events
Book Now
Dates for the Diary
12th January 2021 “Habits to help you work more effectively remotely” Crop Life Europe - Corporate event
28th January 2021 “Licence to hire - Managing Bias in Recruitment” ENGIE - Corporate event
29th January 2021 “Licence to hire - Managing Bias in Recruitment” ENGIE - Corporate event
5th February 2021 “ How to Build your Personal Board“ ENGIE Fifty-Fifty Programme - Corporate event
8th March 2021 IWD "How to create a career and networking strategy for career success” Highquest Partners - Corporate event
We have Remote Learning Programs available
Check out our exciting portfolio of offerings to support your business in upskilling and competence building for your teams, to address the unprecedented challenges that women face in this new totally a digital world.
Download and listen free podcasts
Building Trust at Workplace with Dorothy Dalton
Navigate career uncertainty post Covid19
Share the load – Online Discussion and Coaching Session with Ian Dinwiddy
How to show you are open to work
Things to do to protect yourself when you get fired
10 ways to create a post pandemic career safety net
Facial Movements: Do you Freeze, Flight or Fight?
How to Create an Effective USP
How to Rethink the Modern Workplace for Gender Equality
Menopause in the workplace
How to Cultivate Empathy in the Workplace
The importance of Hard Talk
When Does Female Rivalry Turn into Sabotage
Goal setting tips to boost your career
Sexism: How to stage a Bystander Intervention in the Workplace
How to Get Noticed by Head Hunters & Recruiters
Why all women need a strong LinkedIn profile
Related articles
How to Think About Your Transferable Skills as Cabin Crew?
It is time to take stock of the wide range of transferable skills as cabin crew you’ve developed while working in this challenging job.
Clubhouse the new social media app
Clubhouse the new social media app is an audio-based social media app that everyone is getting excited about.
How to Attract Top Talent Into Your Business
Attract top talent into your business using our tips which include retaining the talent you already have in your company.