How To Get Your Holiday Cards to Avoid the Trash

Here a couple of tips when sending your holiday cards.
1. Be Creative. Stand out from the other cards. With cards people will want to show, share and save. Add photos, be personal, be funny. Add QR codes to custom cards with videos of the family or just you saying hi to your customers and how much you appreciate them. Wish them a wondeful holiday. Do not solicit a sale.

2. Send your cards early. Don’t wait until the last minute!
What happens during the Holidays? Holiday parties! If your Christmas card is first, and it is fun and interesting, it will definitely go on display. When people come over for the Holiday party many more of them will see your card and have an opportunity to pick it up. If you send your card late there may not be any room left on the shelf for your card. Not only that, but your card may arrive after the Holiday parties are all done. By procrastinating and sending your cards late you may have missed an opportunity for free referrals.
Personally I send my Holiday cards around Thanksgiving so they arrive at the end of November or beginning of December. I want my clients to receive my card first. I want them to know I put extra special thought an attention in this. I don’t want them think I waited until the last minute. My clients “feel” like I care about them, because I do!

3. Send yourself a test card NOW.
Since we’re talking about custom card designs it is important to send yourself a test card now. Don’t wait until the last minute. That way you have an opportunity to proof it and make changes before you send it to your clients. There is nothing worse than sending out 300 cards to clients only to realize you had an obvious misspelling or that your photo was too close to the edge of the card and didn’t print correctly. You can also find problems that weren’t obvious when you designed the card. You may find that your photos were too dark or that the photos you used were too small and didn’t enlarge well. This gives you an opportunity to correct those mistakes before you send them out.

Try the service we use for our custom Holiday cards and send two complimentary cards to see how easy the system is to use: http://www.sendoutcards.com/18421

Did you like these Holiday Card tips? I’ve got 3 more tips to share with you over the coming weeks!
Got questions?

Subscribe to our weekly free webinars about how to gain referrals and create loyalty with the use of cards, postcards and gifts. www.40waystousecards.com/schedule

Contact me at: United We Send Cards helpwithsoc@gmail.com 954-667-9762

Business Opportunities in the Direct Sales Industry

Many different people from many different backgrounds, nationalities, economic and household situations start a business in the direct sales industry for many different reasons. Some mothers and even fathers may want to stay home with the kids and make their own hours, give themselves a promotion when ever they see fit, be their own boss, earn trips and cars and so much more.

Statistics show that 50% of Americans will start their own business at one time or another. There are many tax benefits of owning your own business as well as the feeling of accomplishment.

Just like starting any new business, it is an exciting time. Direct Sales is a relationship building business. Athough technology has advanced many people's businesses and exposure, it is the basic relationship that will help determine a person's success or falure in direct sales.

There is NO sugar coating it and do not allow anyone sugar coat it for you. Just like any business it involves work, determination, passion and a willingness to be coached. Companies have already developed marketing tools for you to use. Re-creating the wheel is not always the best way to succeed in direct sales. Use their tools that they have put in place for you. Also, make sure you have a budget set in place. Many new people who try direct sales get caught up in spending too much too soon. Then when they don't see money being made, they give up and claim that direct sales is a scam. The enticement of new products and sales offered can be tempting. But it is not necessary to keep inventory and many companies do not want you to keep inventory. The concept of starting a business is to make money, not go broke.

In direct sales you can start at a very low cost, for free or up to hunderds of dollars. Needless to say, it is much less than opening up a traditional business which requires thousands to millions of dollars at the initial start up. Understand your compensation plan. Maximize it. Understand when you would earn bonuses and trips.

There are direct sales companies that carry many different products and services. From jewelry to auto care, pets, toys, clothing to handbags, technology services, personalized items, greeting cards, cosmetics, skincare, food and nutritionals and more. Every company claims they are the best, and yes, they all offer amazing, high-quality products. It is important to find a company and product YOU are passionate about and go for it.

This is one of the many reasons why I started Home Party Divas- To help others find opportunities, locate reputable consultants who can help those who want to begin their venture and to definately not sugar coat it.

Here are a list of the members in Home Party Divas and the companies they represent. There are many other companies out there. As we grow, we hope to have at least one member of every home party based business represented. In the meantime, you can visit www.dsa.com (Direct Sales Association) for a list of reputable companies.

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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Stop Losing Business

Change these scary statistics with a simple solution...

· The average company loses 52% of its customers every 5 years...Cost of replacing them can be 6-7 times more expensive. The number 1 reason for leaving us is they forget about us, the second reason is that they feel we took their business for granted.

· We potentially lose up to 19% of additional business because we don’t ask for referrals. Opportunities are never lost, they just go to someone else.

· 66% of your business within the next 12 months should come from your sphere of influence.

· 5% increase in customer loyalty will yield 20%-80% to our bottom line profit...Much wiser to spend money on customer retention than acquisition.

· For every month that we don’t contact or communicate with our client, we lose 10% of our influence...if 10 months go by without communication then you lose 100% of your influence!

· Studies show that the average person won’t take action until they’ve heard or seen your message at least 7 times. It is vital to our business to have a systematic way for keeping in touch.

· Most businesses lose 10-17% of their business every year.

· 62% of your clients aren’t taking advantage of all of your products or services.

· 91% of our customers say they would give us a referral. 80% haven’t been encouraged to do so!

· Just saying thank you to our clients - particularly new clients - to do nothing more than saying thank you (do not try to sell) will increase your business by 17%.

· 95% of our customers will purchase from a competitor on an impulse even if you provide a great service. This just shows the importance of staying on the top of your clients mind.

· Only 3% of our mail is personal...how do you feel when you walk out to the mail box and see a personal card addressed to you? Your clients & prospects are no different.

· Of all the leads that are generated at trade shows, 67% of them are never followed up with. When you consider the cost of doing a trade show (time, cost to rent the space, cost for booth display materials), this is a huge waste of an opportunity.

· REAL ESTATE: 87% of all For Sale by Owners will eventually list with a realtor...how are you staying in touch?

· REAL ESTATE: 82% of all homeowners can’t tell you the name of their Realtor if they bought their home more than two years ago.

· REAL ESTATE: 90% of all people who used a realtor were happy with their experience but only 11% used the same realtor the next time they needed one.

So how do you do this? Simple start a personal relationship by sending people cards to show them you care about them. All from the comfort of your office/home right from the computer.
Go to www.unitedwesendcards.net and click #2 and send a card on me. It's fun and easy. show somebody you care about them.

Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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Overcoming Your Own Bondage

I was watching a show on the History channel about a group of people who according to historians should not be here based on how history unfolded itself. This article is not religious in nature, yet holds a special place to people everywhere and will be used as an example in this writing.

So the group of people are the Jews. Throughout history we all know (Jew and non Jew alike) how they were enslaved, persecuted and judged throughout time. Yet, they still exist in this world. I am Jewish and I grew up thinking and discussing these things. I feel that one can only understand if one was Jewish.

But I want to take this to a deeper and more humanistic observation. The Jews came through these episodes in history with faith, passion and a belief in themselves. Passover (Pesach) is coming and we speak of how the Jews escaped slavery from the Egyptians. We see Moses on Mt. Sinai in the movie "The Ten Commandments" bringing down the Commandments for the future people of Israel. Were they truly free after all that?

Freedom is not just a state of our external environment. It is an inner feeling that one holds within oneself. Today you live in a free society in America, but yet are your ideas, thoughts and feelings truly free? How can you set yourself up in a place where you are free inside? What holds you back from achieving your goals? Who are you blaming when your dreams are not coming to reality? Do you have an internal battle of bondage/slavery that you fight with everyday?

I ask these questions because I know many people who have fears in their mind. Whether they created them themselves or people spoke these fears to them The can'ts, the won'ts, the am not's. These are purely words but they can be so strong that they bond you to a place of insecurity and fear.

I pray that you will let these fears and negative feelings leave you. I pray that love, freedom and peace encompass your soul and mind.

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Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
***********************************************

What to Say When You Appreciate Someone

Words of appreciation can sometimes come across as banal and trite.  After all, is there a more tired sentiment than a quickly scrawled “you are appreciated”?  Yet for employers and employees, businessmen and clients, family members and close friends, associates and lovers, expressing appreciation for everything a person means to you is absolutely necessary.  When you find yourself lost for words, try some of these words of appreciation from the heart.  They’re not all sentimental or sappy (though some are), but each phrase expresses something about that special relationship that lifts your heart and makes the day to day stresses that you face more manageable.  Take the time today to tell someone “I appreciate you.”

Casual Words of Appreciation

These phrases are appropriate for business relationships, casual friends, and acquaintances who have gone the extra mile for you.

• I just wanted to let you know—the things you do for (me, the company, our group) do not go unnoticed.  You’re a necessary piece to this puzzle.  I appreciate your dedication and service, and I know others do too.
• Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment.  You are not only a valued member of this group, you’re a dear friend.  I can’t imagine working without you.
• You’re the heart and soul of this team.  I appreciate your dedicated commitment.
• I only wish to aspire to the things you’ve achieved.  Telling you that you’re “appreciated” does not do your service justice.  You’re the best!
• You do such a great job!  Keep it up.
• Let me encourage you today: you’re not only on the right track.  You set the course for the rest of us.  I appreciate you.
• The difference you make is nothing short of legendary.
• I can’t imagine the world without you.  I only know it would be a much different, much less comforting place.
• God bless you for always being there to cheer and to guide.

Appreciation Quotes
Try some of these special quotes from some of the world’s leading philosophers, actors, and businessmen to convey your deep appreciation for another person.

• Frederick Koenig once mentioned that happiness comes not from getting something we lack, but from the recognition and appreciation of what we do have.  I agree—I don’t know what I’d do without you.
•  “I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.” – Elbert Hubbard
• According to the Dalai Lama, the roots of goodness are in the soil of appreciation for goodness.  You’ve been too good to me, and it is deeply appreciated.
• To truly appreciate life, we seek companionship.  Thank you for being my companion.  I appreciate you.
• “Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the gratefully and appreciating heart.” – Henry Clay
• Goethe said, “treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”  You’ve treated me as though I were capable of reaching the stars.  Because of you, I have.
• When I read that Dickens said, “reflect upon your present blessings,” you came to mind.
• Proust urged his readers be grateful to people who make them happy.  I am grateful to you.

Relationships
Do you want to tell that special someone they’re appreciated without saying “I love you”?  Try a few of these on for size.

• “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire
• Your love and support will always be remembered, fondly in good times, and as encouragement in bad.
• Someday I hope to give to you a fraction of all you’ve given me.
• No words can express, no act of gratitude can relay, no gift can represent what your love and support have meant to me.  Please accept this note as an indicator of my heartfelt appreciation for everything you are.
• I can’t imagine five minutes without you.  Thank God I’ve got the rest of my life to spend with you.
• If I tried to tell you how much I appreciate you, I’d be talking the rest of my life.  I hope that, in some small way, you realize how much you’ve meant to me, and how truly I desire to give back to you.
• You’ve bent over backwards for me.  Please let me repay you somehow, if only in a note telling you how much I appreciate your love and support.

Referenced from YourDictionary.com

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront

954-667-9762

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What Would You Say In Your Award Speech?

As I watched the Oscars last night it made me think. What would I say in my acceptance speech? If you won an award who would you thank? Would you thank the people most close to you? Would you thank those who helped you get where you are today? Would you  thank G-d, the one being, you put you here in the first place with all of your gifts and talents?

Now is the moment to thank and appreciate those who molded you, guided you and helped you acheive your goals. Don't wait to do a eulogy for them. That would be too late. Do it now! Act on a prompting today.

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?

Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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Love Is In The Air

I am the type of person who does not care for the commercialized exploitation of many holidays. I do my best to remind myself of the meaning and appreciate the history behind a holiday and why it is celebrated.

Therefore, I will not make this blog post about the great gifts SendOutCards has for your loved ones. You can easily see that on our website. But what I will say is to spend the time and write down in a card about how you feel. Add a photo of the special day you and your partner had- your wedding, a date, a special place you love, your last vacation.

My husband and I agree not to celebrate it the way many do. We believe every day is Valentine's Day. We do our best to show love, appreciation and gratitude to each other every day. Our anniversary means more to me and I am sure your anniversaries and birthdays mean more to your family.

The hardest part of Valentine's Day was when I was single. I dreaded going into work that day and seeing ladies getting flowers from their loved ones. Sounds horrible. I should be happy for them, but truly these were the men they moaned and groaned about all year long. They complained about how they were stood up, or how he doesn't help with the kids or house chores. But yet Valentine's Day seems to put a hold on that. All the yearly problems seem to go away with a big bouquet of flowers or candies or jewelry.

I am not saying I do not like that romantic card (I love those). Especially ones that are written out by my husband, Michael. I do like flowers and candies. Of course some bling, bling is nice. (Hint, hint honey) But the biggest surprises are when they are done out of the blue. Not when it is expected on a certain day of the year.

I found a brief summary of Valentine's Day and its meaning. I reflect on the history and the people who are celebrating love and passion.

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day,^[1][2][3] is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.^[1][3] The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day

Valentine's Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in Hamlet (1600–1601):

To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.

—William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

Have a beautiful day filled with love, happiness and smiles. For Valentine's Day is a simple reminder to take the time and appreciate your loved ones- but please try to do this every day.

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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First Impressions

First impressions mean everything. Few of us get second chances. It is important to be on the top of your game all the time. You never know who you will meet and who that person knows. There are so many times I just want to "bum" around. There are times I do not want to put on makeup or do my hair.

I recall a couple of times doing that and I run into an ex boyfriend or a client at the store. Whoa, what an embarassing situation for me.

To make a good first impression when in public-

1. Make sure your handshake is firm- not too soft, not too hard. I can't stand women who shake my hand as if their arm will fall off if they move it. A solid handshake means that you are interested in them. I find that my handshake weakens because theirs is too soft and I may be considered too "manly".
2. Always have business cards on you. Enough said.
3. Smile in public. No matter how your day is going try to smile and don't get aggravated at the store clerk. Someone you know may be behind you.
4. Dress appropriately. You are what you eat. Well, in this case you are how you dress. Dress like a slob and someone may feel that you will handle their account with the same lack of neatness.
5. Always have gum or mints on you. Eating a burger loaded with onions really STINKS.
6. Of course, I have to add this. Send A Card to someone you know in a timely manner. Once you close a deal, or they refer someone or they placed a large order. They say late is better than never. But being timely is a very good first impression.

There are many other first impression tips, I would love to hear your feedback.

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?

Happy Card Sending,

Kerry and Debbie
Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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Teaching Our Children Etiquette

I remember growing up my mom used to tell me to write Grandma and Grandpa and my Aunts and Uncles letters thanking them for my birthday and Hanukkah gifts. Boy, I didn't like that at all. Write?!

Well, as an adult I understand why and now have my children do the same. Some times it is a written note other times my oldest goes into his SendOutCards account and types up his thank you. Either way it is a sincere gesture of appreciation. It is acknowledging the gift and his grandparents and other family members are happy to receive it.

It is our job to teach our children proper etiquette so they grow up to be well mannered adults. I see children in restaurants under tables and the parents don't do anything. That is not proper. That is not respecting other people around you. Take them outside and discipline them. However, one may do that. They have to learn that is not proper behaviour in a restaurant and it is embarrassing. Please don't tell me "well, kids will be kids". There is no excuse. Hmm, maybe next time I should go under a restaurant table and have a temper tantrum.

We, as parents, are the first ones with our children from birth to 5 years old. That is 5 years of brain development and programming. Don't blame the teacher.

One day my 7 year old son asked a question to the lady at the bank, "Ma'am, may I have a lollipop, please?" Now of course the lady asked me if it was alright. But I was amazed he used "Ma'am" and "please" in one sentence. It made me feel proud.

Can you imagine sitting at a table with a man or woman you are dating eating with their mouth full? How about when they don't say  thank you when you hold a door open for them? I am sure it is not someone you would want to stay around with. That behaviour doesn't really show that they appreciate you or think about how you feel. How about a husband not doing his own laundry or cook for himself? Or a wife bickering and yelling in public at someone? This all comes from teaching and showing what is appropriate and what is not.

These are common etiquette rules that respect other people's space and lives.

It is never to late to implement etiquette and it can start by just writing thank you cards for the all holiday gift your child received.

Debbie
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Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
and
Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762 ***********************************************

The Joys of Working At Home

I am so fortunate to work at home. It has been a blessing in disguise. Not only do I work my SendOutCards business from home, I am my own boss. I create my own deadlines. If my kids are sick I am home and I do not need to find a sitter, or my mom or stay home from work. My travel time is from my bedroom to my office. Oh, about 5 minutes.

Working at home has helped me put my home and family first. I do set a few hours in the morning like right now writing my blog, a few hours in the late afternoon for follow up phone calls, set up appointments and an hour at night sending out a card or two. In between those hours, I clean the house, go shopping and help the kids with school work.

I give a lot of credit to moms and dads who work full time and then have to come home and do all the things I do during the day at night after a long day. And then to use their two days off finishing the rest. It is hard work I have been there.

When I was a single mom with 2, I would work 9 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday. Now, I work 8:30 am (after I get kids to school) to about 10 am, then maybe from 3 pm to 5 pm.

I had this feeling yesterday as I was talking to Mike, my husband, how fortunate I am to have a supportive husband. Now, as we grow our family from two to four kids, I am realizing I am more blessed than ever to have this opportunity.

Not only do I love the time I have available, but the financial aspect of owning my own business. The tax advantages are wonderful. I am able to take the deductions for my cell phone, wear and tear on the car, mileage, clothing for meetings and presentations, dry eaning bill, office supplies, the cards I send out and so much more.

I wish that everyone of you love what they do. I also know that if some of you are not happy at what you are doing and want a change, think about a Plan B with SendOutCards. It has brought so much goodness in my life.

Happy 2011!

--Debbie
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Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
and
Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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