JANUARY 6, 2010 · BY RICK ORNBERG

Planting the seeds for more orders

ENLARGE [+]

SeededCardspho

We're very happy with all the comments and kudos We've received about the seeded holiday card ornament we sent out this holiday season to customers and friends. "This is the only card I've saved this year," said one.  "What a great combination of holiday greeting card, gift and promotion," said another.

After kicking around a lot of ideas – my wife says I don't need to let anyone know she helped — I decided to send out a seeded holiday ornament that was not only in the shape of a tree, but had seeds embedded in them for an Austrian Pine.  Simply put, "here's a card and a tree too!"

The ornament was complete with a tie for hanging on a tree, with holiday greetings and planting instructions imprinted on recycled paper card, inserted into a recycled paper envelope.  The ornament was designed to be planted in a pot first, and then transferred outside some weeks later after reaching a few inches in height.

The message thanked the recipient for "helping us grow" the past year, and offered something that they could grow as well. I wanted to send a card that wouldn't get lost in the stacks of other cards, quickly read and noted, then tossed into a basket or onto a pile of cards. This proved to not only get attention, stay on message and illustrate the value of using promotional products, but had what I call "passing around appeal", becoming a conversation piece and at the same time increasing visual impressions along the way.

It's fun when an idea works. It's even more fun huddling with potential clients and working together to come up with even more exciting ideas.

There are lots of ways to incorporate seeded cards all types and sizes, including bookmarks, postcards, etc.  Check out http://www.seedcards.com for some ideas and give us a call!