Is Your Holiday Appreciation Plan Ready?

I know it's not even Halloween yet, and there are just 65 days to Christmas, so if you haven't already started putting your holiday appreciation plan together, what are you waiting for?

While "Santa" may be making his list and checking it twice, you should be doing the same thing for your business right now.

Do you have your holiday card list ready? If not, here are some tips and things to consider.

Holiday Cards

* Who are you sending cards to? This includes clients, business associates and prospects.
Review the addresses from last years list to make sure they are up to date.

* Who do you need to add and did any of your clients move or have any life changing events this past year that you should recognize?

* Do not include any self-promotion. The holidays are a time to reflect and appreciate. Self-promotion is just tacky and unprofessional.

Holiday Gifts

Are you sending holiday gifts of appreciation and if so, is your list ready? How do you decide who gets a gift and who doesn't? This can be a real tough one, and while only you can make that decision, think about this.

* Gifts that are appropriate for top tier clients and business associates.

* Keep it simple. It's not the size and cost of the gift that is important. It's the sincerity of the appreciation.

This is why I always recommend sending a personalized card with the gift at the same time... no, not one of those business card size inserts you get at the florist, but a real personalized greeting card that can be included directly with your gift.

When you take the time to send a heartfelt gift of thanks, especially around the holidays, your clients and business associates will truly feel appreciated.

What about the New Year?

I love sending New Year's cards because after the craziness of the holidays, after everyone's desk and kitchen counter are cleared off, after your clients have had a chance to catch their breath, here's what happens.

They go out to their mailbox, the first week in January, and there is a "Happy New Year" card from you that says, "We would like to Celebrate Your Successes of the Past Year and Wish You Continued Success for the New Year. All our Best for a Healthy and Prosperous 2009"

Do you think that is bound to get some attention? You bet it will.

If you haven't sent holiday cards or gifts in the past, there's no time like the present to start. In challenging economic times like these, your customers and business associates need to know now, more than ever, that you appreciate them and will be with them through 'thick and thin.'

They need to know that you will help them get through to the other side, too, and when you do, who do you think they are going to recommend to people they know? That's right... You!

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Patty Gale is a customer appreciation consultant who's mission is to empower businesses to harness the potential of the web with power of appreciation. Visit her site, www.InspiredWebWorks.com”>www.InspiredWebWorks.com to stay updated with her weekly newsletter, 'Get Inspired!' and read her free report, “Harness the Power of Appreciation to Stand Above Your Competition.”

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