Their site is really neat and NOT an MLM...I like this, thanks Marketing Guy!

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Tamara
www.desertdivassistant.com

I've actually re-evaluated my opinon on Send Out Cards - I actually think it is a pretty good vehicle for marketing and have set up an account.

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Julia

Very interesting information ladies and gents. I've only this week received a note from a friend that he wants to discuss SOC with me. This will help me conducted an 'educated' discussion.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

I weighed in on this earlier and suggested Jack Cards, but on reflection doesn't it seem hypocritical that we as a group that prides itself on organization, is task oriented and believe in personal service would delegate something that is so critical to our own business?

Every SOC card I have ever received looks contrived and there has been some error. I have never received two from the same person so I wonder why people cancel the service.

I think rather than delegating something that is so critical to your business you should ask the question of how can I send out my own cards more efficiently?

I have gone so far as to send out 400 Christmas cards for a client and hired people to address the envelopes in a masculine handwriting so all the client has to do is sign the card, but I would never delegate sending out my cards. Every card I send out is hand written, hand-addressed and they work.

If you plan on sending cards of any type, send fewer hand-written ones than trusting your reputation with a service that is essentially MLM.

Originally Posted by Marketing Guy

I have gone so far as to send out 400 Christmas cards for a client and hired people to address the envelopes in a masculine handwriting so all the client has to do is sign the card, but I would never delegate sending out my cards. Every card I send out is hand written, hand-addressed and they work. If you plan on sending cards of any type, send fewer hand-written ones than trusting your reputation with a service that is essentially MLM.

I know a customer service consultant who is also a SOC distributor and she uses SOC postcards to market her own business. She is also successful in her business so I don't think SOC has hurt her business.

A client called me last night asking about SOC - after discussion, I recommended that it may be as cost effective for her and her husband to go to Costco, buy cards, have a printer like Minuteman Press imprint their business name and then sit down for a few evenings with a glass of wine (they are a brew your own wine shop) and hand sign their customer Christmas cards. And their customers would appreciate it.

I would never use SOC for client Christmas cards - I'd hand write them myself. I've used Send Out Cards for sending a quick note to a client to thank them for a reference, keeping in touch and for marketing.

I don't think SOC is any different than having postcards printed and labelled for marketing. I have a prospect list of about 150 names and addresses that I market to - I really don't think they're going to care if I hand address an envelope or not. I market to them to keep my business top of mind and so that I'm the first person they think of when they decide they need a VA.

Cute idea having someone hand address the envelopes in masculine handwriting, but isn't that kind of deceiving? I also wonder if his clients would believe it. I use address labels for my own cards that I send to clients that I sign by hand - mainly because my handwriting sucks. I've been typing for too long - and my clients haven't been offended by it.

Yes, we are in a service oriented business, but I think one of the main features we bring to our clients is to help them save their time - and money. And I think we need to do that for ourselves too.

I guess what I'm saying is that Send Out Cards has it's place and the personal cards do as well.

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Julia

I signed up for SOC a couple of years ago but never used it. I thought about incorporating it now for my future customers. You guys have definitely given me a lot to consider.

Yeah I say do your own cards. More personal, more real, meaning more meaningful in my opinion.

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Alyssa Avant
http://alyssaavant.com

I've read this thread with interest. While SOC has been in the US for sometime it hasn't been in Australia all that long and is yet to open in other countries. And I like that your own handwriting can be uploaded to the system and become your personal font.

I have been using this system because I can personalise the cards with my own photos and my clients, colleagues, family and friends love them - not just here in Australia but also in the US when I send them. And there are still a ton of people out there who do not know what SOC is.

I think, like anything else, it's what you make it to be for yourself. I chose to use it so I could do one-off cards with my photography rather than having to do minimum print runs of 100 or more of a card that looks exactly the same. And in the process, I discovered an extra arm I could add to my VA business. A win-win for me.

What a helpful thread! I was just thinking about a card campaign and now I'm rethinking that idea altogether....

I guess it depends on what the campaign is about Elleen. I send birthday cards, anniversary cards, congratulation cards, sympathy cards and Christmas cards to my clients and colleagues but don't actually do campaigns. The cards are well received and often with surprise.