How Many Send Out Cards Is Too Many Send Out Cards?
May 15, 2010 at 5:13 pm | Posted in Adrian Miller Sales Training, Adrian's Network, entrepreneurship, Marketing, Networking, sales, Sales Training, Uncategorized | 4 CommentsDon’t get me wrong. I like following up and staying on the grid as much as the next guy—um—salesperson, and maybe even just a bit more since I train the concept of “touch point management” as part of my sales training programs.
But really, enough is enough.
Remember back when everyday you seemed to get an AOL disk and you started to think that the whole thing was sort of silly. Maybe you even used those disks as coasters or made an art project out of them. Their value and what they stood for was certainly devalued and their daily appearance in the mail became sort of a joke.
Well, I’m starting to get the same feeling with Send Out Cards. Okay, I know it’s supposed to help you to stay in touch in a “personal” sort of way. But really, is it personal? I mean given the digitized signature and the Send Out Cards logo on the back. Do I feel special when I get one (or actually 3-5 per day). Nope, not really.
Now before you get angry with me—-I think when used appropriately the concept can work. And yes, I do know that some folks are not overdoing it and the sentiment included inside makes sense. (Thank you for those cards—I especially like the ones with my/our pics!)
But in the last few weeks I’ve gotten Send Out Cards from folks I don’t know; their message seems canned and the whole idea of building a relationship and/or staying on the grid, has gone the way of their automated touchpoint.
I don’t use Send Out Cards and yet I know that part of my personal brand is that I am “high touch, low pressure”. Maybe Send Out Cards would be able to minimize the time and energy that I spend on staying on the grid, but I don’t know, it just feels wrong to me.
And truly I mean no harm here. I appreciate the cards that I get from the folks that I DO know. It’s the “strangers” sending cards reeking with cliches that are starting to get on my nerves.
It seems that “personal” has been depersonalized.
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The Blatant Truth Weblog 
I am SendOutCards distributor and would agree that 3 to 5 cards per day would seem impersonal Did you get onto a mailing list somewhere? If i were to receive a prospecting card in my mailbox from somebody I didn’t know, more than likely I would probably throw it away. The overall philosophy of SendOutCards is sending out to give typically to people you already know.
There is no need to feel sorry for what you have received, just go with it!
If you would like to try SendOutCards for free, give me a quick reply and I will set you up with a free account.
Comment by David Demangos— May 15, 2010 #
I am also a distributor and have been with Send Out Cards almost 4 years. The feedback with regard to the touching, beautiful stories regarding how these cards have made a difference are worth every second I have been involved. Both personally and business stories. For businesses, this is a perfect marketing tool but I always suggest to them not to turn it into a “advertisement” because then it defeats the purpose. So, the purpose would be to make your clients, friends and family feel special. That’s it. No strings attached. The results are ….yes….making people feel special which does in turn help with client retention and build referrals. I understand how you feel if you are bombarded. But….without this tool, many would simply not acknowledge the celebrations in other peoples lives. I can’t tell you how many people have stacks of cards they never send or they just never get to run around and get them.
Karen
Comment by Karen— May 16, 2010 #
Thanks for the comments. I would love for some recipients to weigh in as well.
As for me, I have that “stack of cards” that you mention and I pretty much send them out continuously when the occasion calls for a card. I also call and send small tokens of appreciation and invitations to events and introductions to other people all as a way of “staying on the grid” and showing very personalized appreciation.
Thanks again.
Comment by adrianmiller— May 16, 2010 #
I sent out cards with most sales calls I make. When I do get to speak with a prospect/client the feedback from them is great. Even if we had not talked till now, they remember my cards. Matter of fact, a company I had been prospecting for almost 3 years called me today with a job order…..she had my card that I had sent her last month…..nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Comment by DEBORAH— June 4, 2010 #