While you may think the holidays are miles away, when it comes to marketing your small business, now is the time to start thinking about a creative holiday card. Each year, we spend months preparing for, shooting and designing our family (and business) holiday card. I started this card when my husband and I got married in 1997 and each year is one of a numbered series which creates excitement and anticipation for those who receive it each year. This has been one of my favorite marketing ideas ever since I started photographing professionally in about 1997-1998 and I do think, part of the reason my business grew so fast when I opened my first studio in 2001. Here are three reasons I think it is important for a boutique business (especially a photographer) to create a dynamic holiday card.
1. Most importantly, it is important to have an emotional connection with your clients, prospects and my community of friends and family. What is more personal than sharing the people you love the most with the people you love most.
2. It “shows” creativity. Instead of doing something more generic, you are showing instead of telling how creative you are. People want to see that you are doing creative things. Maybe they don’t want to invest in the same elaborate card that you send but they sure want you to be the place they come for creativity.
3. By sending something super creative at the holidays, it positions you as a leader. When your card is stacked up with all of the other pre-printed, tree-scene cards, yours is sure to draw attention. This arms your clients to be the best possible sales staff by giving them a tool to brag for you. Nobody wants to hear you brag about yourself but when you send something that blows your clients’ minds, you will generate mind-blowing referrals.
If you want a copy of my holiday card from last year along with an audio file where I talk about how this can build YOUR business, join Photography Business Institute and you will receive it with this month’s mailing. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our blog. Get ideas and inspiration 4-5 times a week!