How Effective Are SendOutCards?

21 replies
SendOutCards is simple to use and for many of us, is a useful service. After receiving a couple of them from two different associates of mine, I noticed that my name was printed on the back of each one.

There's nothing inherently wrong with that at all. It was thoughtful of the senders to mail the cards to me, but the cards would've had more impact if I knew that they were manually (rather than electronically) signed by the sender and mailed in "old-school" fashion.

Have your clients or clients of people you know shared their feelings about receiving SendOutCards? What is the feedback you hear? Am I being too analytical about these or would the impact of cards really be greater if they were truly handwritten rather than on a computer?
#effective #greeting cards #sendoutcards
  • Profile picture of the author createdevelop
    I tried getting information about sendoutcards, but theny never got back to me. I asked them for pricing etc but they were pretty slack, at least here in Australia.
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    • Profile picture of the author Prouddad
      I don't know if they offer service in Australia because they apply the postage stamp to the envelopes. I can't imagine the company wanting to mail cards to another country and it may cost you an arm and a leg to use their service under those circumstances.

      I'm not questioning the reliability of the company. I'm questioning the reaction of recipients to the cards.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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        • Profile picture of the author Atex
          I have done a little card sending and have gotten enough feedback that tells me I should do more of it. Why I keep procrastinating is beyond me. But I am going to make it a priority. I think people get more of a thrill get a card than getting an email. I could be wrong, but time will tell.
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        • Profile picture of the author halcline
          I'm currently not a member of SendOutCards.com but have been looking at their deal. If you join their franchise wholesale program, it appears you CAN send high quality cards for as little as .31 cents per card, AND each card has a real stamp attached. When you consider that a card can cost upwards of 4 to 6 dollars, not to mention the time it takes to drive to the mall to purchase the card....this looks like it could be a good deal. Especially if you have allot of clients to send cards too.

          Just my thoughts.

          hal
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    • Originally Posted by createdevelop View Post

      I tried getting information about sendoutcards, but theny never got back to me. I asked them for pricing etc but they were pretty slack, at least here in Australia.
      SendOutCards is definitely in Australia. They are in Melbourne and print daily and send gift cards now too!

      I have a great group of members there that would be willing to help you if you do not find anyone, just let me know.
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  • Profile picture of the author eflo
    Disclaimer: I'm a distributer as well.

    From a marketing standpoint, it was an excellent decision. I was able to increase the conversion to a live local event utilizing send out cards againt a car dealerships database as invitations to an open house BBQ. ThEy sold more cars that day than any day of the year because it was such a personal touch (you get your own printing as a font in send out cards) as well as just a nicely laid out high quality card.

    It's a MUST HAVE if you're considering entering the offline market. I can show you great offline methods to easily market the system as well if you would like to join forces.
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    • Profile picture of the author SEDeuce
      I believe that all cards produced by SendOutCards are printed and fulfilled at their plant in Salt Lake City, no matter where they are destined. It would be logical to assume that they will distribute their printing and fulfillment operations to any location that has enough volume to justify it. It would be nice if they could get their delivery time to 1-2 days for any location in the continental US, for example. It currently takes 3 days from generating the card to receiving it here in middle Tennessee.

      Not to excuse the company, but their entire customer service staff has bee dealing with supporting their new software release which went live on June 19. It is a huge upgrade in the functionality of their card creation and editing software, putting it on a par with most of the commercial card creation software available. In addition, they strongly encourage questions and sales type interaction to be directed through their marketing organization. Signups can only be done through their existing field distribution network.

      There is no cheaper, more efficient way to get high impact, individualized paper cards into the hands of prospects and customers for medium volume applications. Their online Contact Manager is highly functional, everything is done online, you never touch the actual card, it arrives in what looks to be a handwritten envelope with a real stamp which significantly increases the open rate, and the content of the card is completely customizable on an individual card basis. We haven't found any negative reaction to the printing of the recipients name on the back of the card.

      We would be using the SendOutCards service in support of our professional photography business even without the mlm related benefits.

      As I mentioned in a previous post, we're a SendOutCards distributor.
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    • Profile picture of the author want2knowhow
      Originally Posted by eflo View Post

      Disclaimer: I'm a distributer as well.

      From a marketing standpoint, it was an excellent decision. I was able to increase the conversion to a live local event utilizing send out cards againt a car dealerships database as invitations to an open house BBQ. ThEy sold more cars that day than any day of the year because it was such a personal touch (you get your own printing as a font in send out cards) as well as just a nicely laid out high quality card.

      It's a MUST HAVE if you're considering entering the offline market. I can show you great offline methods to easily market the system as well if you would like to join forces.
      Wow! That sounds HOT! Are you still working SOC's?
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    Hi...

    I'm a Send Out Cards rep. I love it. I have yet to see a
    better tool for promoting a small business. I have reps in 26
    states and all over the continent of Australia in my organization.

    SOC now has a full service facility in Australia. All Australian
    cards are printed, stuffed, stamped and mailed in that facility.

    The most powerful feature of SOC is the ability to customize
    and personalize cards to fit the client's/prospect's interests.
    You can even "write" the card in your own handwriting and "sign"
    it with your own signature.

    If anyone else wants more info along with the chance to experience
    what real support from a true leader in the business means please contact
    me via PM.

    Tsnyder
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    I have enjoyed reading this conversation about SendOutCards. I'm definitely going to try it. I love how you can make it appear like you signed the card. Automation is nice!

    Personal touches has definitely helped me, though I spend too much time doing it haha.

    Matt
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    • Profile picture of the author want2knowhow
      Originally Posted by freudianslip27 View Post

      I have enjoyed reading this conversation about SendOutCards. I'm definitely going to try it. I love how you can make it appear like you signed the card. Automation is nice!

      Personal touches has definitely helped me, though I spend too much time doing it haha.

      Matt
      And here I am, just a lowly but proud, 4 yr customer of theirs and I wouldn't trade using Send Out Cards for nothing in the world! Where on Earth and /or even online can you immediately act on a mental *prompting* after 10 p.m or even 4:00 in the morning and send a card and a small gift...just because?

      I've used it to reach out and touch someone's heart and mind who was hurting and in badly need of someone who cared (fact was, I didn't even know it at the time. Was something my mind told me to do..and I did it!) and it impacted them in a positive way, far more than I ever would have imagined or guessed! Imagine saving or touching a life, simply because you thought enough to reach out...and hit send!
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  • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
    Originally Posted by Prouddad View Post

    SendOutCards is simple to use and for many of us, is a useful service. After receiving a couple of them from two different associates of mine, I noticed that my name was printed on the back of each one.

    There's nothing inherently wrong with that at all. It was thoughtful of the senders to mail the cards to me, but the cards would've had more impact if I knew that they were manually (rather than electronically) signed by the sender and mailed in "old-school" fashion.

    Have your clients or clients of people you know shared their feelings about receiving SendOutCards? What is the feedback you hear? Am I being too analytical about these or would the impact of cards really be greater if they were truly handwritten rather than on a computer?
    I prefer to send manually signed cards to my top clients and prospects. I would rather receive a signed card than an "automated" one.

    However, for larger and more impersonal mailings I think that Send Out Cards is a great option. I think people would rather receive a nice card (even if it's not personally signed) than an email or more basic postcard.
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  • I love sendout cards and I sell tell everyone to use them I just put a small domain if you want to see it's just a forward that's all. But I send thousands of cards myself don't make much as a rep or care about that part. The way I use it is to thank everyone and I get very very positive responses. Most people of course will never send a card because the expense and time and I think by doing that we set ourselvs apart and sendout cards helps make it easy.

    PS: Don't expect to make a fortune I think I got less then $1000 commission to be honest I don't even look at it.

    Hope this helps. Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author Prouddad
      Thanks for your feedback. My question wasn't whether or not SendOutCards is a good deal financially. My query is more of a marketing question.

      I've noticed that my name is printed on the back of SendOutCards that I've received from senders.

      There's nothing inherently wrong with that at all. It was thoughtful of the senders to mail the cards to me, but the cards would've had more impact if I knew that they were manually (rather than electronically) signed by the sender and mailed in "old-school" fashion.

      Have your clients or clients of people you know shared their feelings about receiving SendOutCards? What is the feedback you hear? Am I being too analytical about these or would the impact of cards really be greater if they were truly handwritten rather than on a computer?
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      • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
        Originally Posted by Prouddad View Post

        Thanks for your feedback. My question wasn't whether or not SendOutCards is a good deal financially. My query is more of a marketing question.

        I've noticed that my name is printed on the back of SendOutCards that I've received from senders.

        There's nothing inherently wrong with that at all. It was thoughtful of the senders to mail the cards to me, but the cards would've had more impact if I knew that they were manually (rather than electronically) signed by the sender and mailed in "old-school" fashion.

        Have your clients or clients of people you know shared their feelings about receiving SendOutCards? What is the feedback you hear? Am I being too analytical about these or would the impact of cards really be greater if they were truly handwritten rather than on a computer?
        I'm not going to answer specifically about SOC, because I don't know if that is the service that was used, but just my general feedback.

        I have gotten cards that are printed and mailed electronically. Looking back on it, they are probably SOC, since I don't know of another company that does that.

        I have enjoyed that cards, but if the cards had been hand-written, they would have had a greater impact.

        So much of what people do nowadays is so impersonal or designed to be "quick and easy." Nothing wrong with that! But there are times when the old-fashioned way gives a much greater impact.

        I think that sending a card is one of those times.

        As always, JMHO. YMMV. And LLaP.
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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    I used cards in my self storage business. Birthdays, client or client family members sick, anniversaries, thank you cards and all the other warm and fuzzy stuff. I was in civilization then so doing the cards by hand was easy and effective.

    Because I'm in the boonies now I use a service to land just about every offline client I mail to. Check it out here:

    Direct Mail Postcard Marketing | VerticalResponse
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  • Profile picture of the author benmuijaz
    Just noticed this thread here. I have been using the system since 2007. Its a great system. I highly recommend it for personal and business use. I don't have to buy cards any more. I sent a card last year to a colleague in London, UK, it took five days for the card to arrive. I live on the East Coast. The card was sent digitally to the UK office and printed over there and shipped by the UK Postal service.

    My only beef I have with the company is the their current policy on how legacy points (unexpired points) are used and expired. I recently found out that I have many points coming up for expiration which I will lose and the company won't let me use them since I still have unexpired points. I don't know why distributors and customers who have legacy points haven't made a stink about it. I believe that many people with legacy points either do not know about it or doesn't care the new policy. It's a policy that benefits only the company. It's not a win win situation. I do hope the company will come out with a policy that is a win win situation.

    Here's an image of it from my account:
    2013-11-11_1503 - Hello2000000000's library


    SendOutCards is a great service. I highly recommend it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
      Originally Posted by benmuijaz View Post

      Just noticed this thread here. I have been using the system since 2007. Its a great system. I highly recommend it for personal and business use. I don't have to buy cards any more. I sent a card last year to a colleague in London, UK, it took five days for the card to arrive. I live on the East Coast. The card was sent digitally to the UK office and printed over there and shipped by the UK Postal service.

      My only beef I have with the company is the their current policy on how legacy points (unexpired points) are used and expired. I recently found out that I have many points coming up for expiration which I will lose and the company won't let me use them since I still have unexpired points. I don't know why distributors and customers who have legacy points haven't made a stink about it. I believe that many people with legacy points either do not know about it or doesn't care the new policy. It's a policy that benefits only the company. It's not a win win situation. I do hope the company will come out with a policy that is a win win situation.

      Here's an image of it from my account:
      2013-11-11_1503 - Hello2000000000's library


      SendOutCards is a great service. I highly recommend it.
      I think if you would call customer service and explain to them that
      you do, indeed, plan to use all those points they'd be happy to rectify
      the situation for you.

      The expiration policy is in place for some very good and valid reasons
      but it's not the intention of SOC to take anything away from anyone who
      plans on using it.

      That, and points don't expire for 13 months... step up your card sending
      and you won't have this problem... lol
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    • Profile picture of the author benmuijaz
      Originally Posted by benmuijaz View Post

      Just noticed this thread here. I have been using the system since 2007. Its a great system. I highly recommend it for personal and business use. I don't have to buy cards any more. I sent a card last year to a colleague in London, UK, it took five days for the card to arrive. I live on the East Coast. The card was sent digitally to the UK office and printed over there and shipped by the UK Postal service.

      My only beef I have with the company is the their current policy on how legacy points (unexpired points) are used and expired. I recently found out that I have many points coming up for expiration which I will lose and the company won't let me use them since I still have unexpired points. I don't know why distributors and customers who have legacy points haven't made a stink about it. I believe that many people with legacy points either do not know about it or doesn't care the new policy. It's a policy that benefits only the company. It's not a win win situation. I do hope the company will come out with a policy that is a win win situation.

      Here's an image of it from my account:
      2013-11-11_1503 - Hello2000000000's library


      SendOutCards is a great service. I highly recommend it.

      Just wanted to say my issue has been taken care of for now. SOC management stepped in and solved the issue. They have reversed my deleted points and extended expirations. I hope management will look into a better solution to solve the problem of the legacy point. I do not mine losing expired points, but the way the process so far for treating canceled legacy points is not a win-win situation. Management is also sending my kids some complimentary treats. We look forward to them.

      So the moral of the story is if Customer Support doesn't solve your problem because they might not have the authority, bring it to a manager.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Personalized cards are great, especially since they are sent out via snail mail. People nowadays only get crap bills and junk mail in their real mailbox. Cards go a long way. Just a simple thank you card you can print on your own printer and mail is very valuable. You can get blank card stock and fold in 1/4 to make a small thank you note, and even print the envelope. Just create a template file. You can also mail merge them with your selected contacts as well.

    Anyone know of site clones for selling mass customized products? Where the consumer would upload a photo or logo, choose template and customize their own label?? etc... I want to do this with candles, become the hallmark or sendout of candles where we have a core line of candle products and have an automated site where customers can design their own label and we'll send it out. Similar to zazzle, cafepress, vistaprint etc....but for a candle with personalized label for any occasion.
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