Alice Seba blogged about Send Out Cards yesterday and voiced many of the sentiments that I’ve shared now and then about the automated card system.
It’s no secret that I adore cards. I love getting them and I love sending them. But I’ve never been tempted to join Send Out Cards. Nothing replaces the joy of shopping for the perfect card, writing a personal sentiment, addressing it myself and sending it on its way.
I know that Send Out Cards is about as close as we’re ever going to get to automating a personal process and it is pretty nifty how they can emulate your handwriting now – but I have to be truthful… handwriting that has been emulated by a printer just doesn’t do it for me. You may as well have used plain old arial because going the extra mile to generate your handwriting doesn’t make it more personal to me.
There are a few Send Out Cards that I have received that broke the automation barrier and conveyed warmth – and that wasn’t accomplished through the handwriting font. It was created by the time the person took to write the card and the personal way that they expressed their sentiments… something that is rare in other Send Out Cards that are obviously little more than a form letter response.
Like Alice, I would say, if you’re not going to write something personal – keep the card! Getting a card that says nothing personal is akin to junk mail.
Dr. Mani commented on Alice’s post suggesting that you can have someone in India handwrite your cards for you – but that really strikes me as being worse, not better. It’s not the handwriting – it’s that YOU took the time to personally handwrite a note to me that will have an impact.
But even then – if you do personally shop for, write out, address, stamp and mail me a card – if it’s little more than a formed response that says nothing personal – I’m still going to be a bit disappointed and wonder why you bothered.
I don’t like ‘obligatory’ anything. I like feeling like I meant enough to you that you sat down and expressed yourself meaningfully.
This picture here is of my little card stash. (And reveals my great love for sharpie markers of all colors) I love cards and I keep my eye out for cool cards whenever I have the chance. I have a personal preference for unique handmade cards but can’t always lay my hands on them. (Do you make them? Tell me!)
It’s not hard, or expensive to develop a card stash like this one – and even though I take time every week to think of who I want to write a card to (a personal card!) I generally only spend about 30 minutes a week on cards, so its not like it is overwhelming my schedule.
I’m not anti-Send Out Cards. I realize there are some businesses that carry such a high demand for communication and follow up that it makes sense. I just don’t ever see myself going there.
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Yep in agreement with you here Kelly, as I agreed with Alice on her blog post that you referred to. I am a card writer, and I love buying cards. My latest addiction is making cards. I got a card kit from my friend just started a scrap booking business. I can give you her link if you want just email me. Very fun and addictive to make.
Are you trying to trick me into scrapbooking? LOL!
Actually a card kit sounds cool.
LOL – “trick me into scrapbooking”. That was funny. I have the same fear!
But the fonts I use is my hand writing and the signature is my cruddy old signature. I’ll be taking notes so I know who not to mail now ;)
I got so into making cards a few years ago that I joined a direct sales company that sells the supplies! I’m in the process of quitting it, but still have my addiction and a friend who still sells it!
I have quite a stash built up too – what kind do you like to send out? Generic or specific like holiday ones? I’d be happy to send you a few for your stash!
Ok Kelly, I have to pipe in here. For people who WANT to send handwritten cards but don’t have the time, don’t want to schlep to the store, don’t want to waste time running to the post office – Send Out Cards is a great way to go. It makes it so easy to keep in touch with customers. I always wanted to send cards before, but was too busy. Now I send DAILY notes to people expressing my appreciation, gratitude, and praise. And that has done wonders for my business. If anyone wants to try it free – look me up. I’ll bet after you give it a try, you’ll never go back to handwriting cards again. Kudos to you Kelly for doing it the old fashioned way. For the rest of us, there is Send Out Cards.
Hey Kristi :)
I totally respect your choice – but I have to say that I don’t ‘schlep’ to stores for note cards.
Rather I would say that I get out of the house for a much needed break and spend delightful minutes perusing the ever changing array of beautiful greeting cards, often finding that one special card for that one special person, smiling with pleasure and anticipation of the look on their face when they open and read it…
Am I horribly old fashioned to actually enjoy such an activity?
Now… I do ‘schlep’ to the grocery store so if you can find me a local Send Out Groceries solution – please do tell! I’m all ears.
I would be far more likely to do “carding” than scrapbooking! I love receiving and sending cards in the mail…something I haven’t done since the kids were born and my “safe storage areas” for paper, pens, and all things potentially destructive have gone bye-bye! (I know, you’re thinking…what about the closet? But that’s where all the really dangerous stuff is stored, from sculptures to an antique nightstand that we can’t break out till the kids are older.)
Actually Kelly, there is Send Out Groceries. It’s called Peapod.com and Netgrocer.com – so no more schleping to the grocery store.
Kelly, what I like most about SendOutCards is that rather than picking from the standard cards that are there (like in a card store) you can use a digital photo to create a totally personalized card just for that specific person. I have a lot of fun making really special cards for people with their picture. And I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from those cards.
Buy hey, if hand picking cards and handwriting them has special meaning to you, then by all means do it. I just found a different way to “handpick” cards and customize them without running to the store.
Peapod and Netgrocer (sad to say I already knew about them) aren’t in my locale… mores the pity.
Kelly,
If you really knew what Sendoutcards was all about you wouldn’t be saying what you are saying!
I went fishing with a friend the other day and took a picture of him holding a fish he caught and put it on the front of a card using Sendoutcards. On the inside I told him how I enjoyed going fishing and our friendship. When he got the card he called and thanked me for being so thoughtful.
I meet a person in the airport last February. We had a great conversation about what we both do. I sent him a card with a $5 Starbucks card in it. The card helped us develop a friendship. He is coming out to Utah (where I live) skiing this coming January.
About ten years ago I had a falling out with a good friend of mine. We stopped talking. 2 years ago I found a funny “I’m Sorry” card in the Sendoutcard catalog and sent it to him Asking him to call. He did and we now have rekindled our friendship.
Just over 2 years ago I was in the hospital fighting for my life. To my surprise, several of my Sendoutcards friend shared with other Sendoutcards users about my illness. Within a matter of days over 100 greeting cards can to the hospital. My spirits were lifted and I believe it helped me tackle my illness and beat it.
My 78 year old mother can’t drive and has a hard time getting around town. One day she was depressed because she wasn’t able to go and buy the little gifts she use to and drop them off to all the grand kids. I set her up a Sendoutcards account and she now feels the joy of sending money, gift and gift cards to her grandchildren with a special note through Sendoutcards. The other day when I was visiting with her she gave me a hug and a kiss. With tears in her eyes she thanked me for giving her life back.
1 1/2 years ago in my church I taught the 16 year old kids. One Sunday we had a special lesson and all the kids participated. That Sunday evening I sat down in front of my computer and typed out a message in a template card (a campaign). With a click of the mouse I sent it to all of them. That next Sunday we all had teared up and felt a great bond of love and friendship. I no longer teach the 16 year old kids in my church, but every kid comes and visits me on a regular basis.
The other day I was thinking of a friend I hadn’t seen for over 10 years. He is a chiropractor. I found his mailing address on the web. I found a fun picture of a flamingo with a twisted neck. I loaded that picture on the front of a Sendoutcards card and wrote, “Need a neck adjustment?”. When he got the card he called and we went to lunch. What a great day that was! That card got him to call!
I got involved with Sendoutcards 3 years ago. Before that I could count on my hands how many cards I had given or sent to people I know and cared about. You are right. What you say and the meaning in the card makes a huge difference.
I can tell first hand that Sendoutcards is one of the most powerful keep in touch tools I have ever seen or used. Any system that motivates someone to act on a prompting or send kindness to others is worth it’s wait in gold. That is what Sendoutcards does.
There are thousand of people who have been touched by the power of Sendoutcards. I have just told you a few in my life. I have hundreds of personal experiences like this. Sendoutcards allows the average person like me the convenience of send a card that they may not other wise send.
Kelly, I challenge you to buy a Sendoutcards account, send one unexpected card to someone you meet, care about or love everyday with Sendoutcards and if you feel the same way you do now I will pay for your account and every card you sent over the next year.
DeMarr… you act like I put on a fuzzy green body suit and declared that Christmas was canceled when all I have said is that I like real handwritten cards better than a computer generated one.
All of the sweet stories (and they are soooo sweet!)in the world isn’t going to change that.
My preference is my preference and my points about the need for a genuine sentiment stand up to everything you’ve said.
I don’t need to get a Send Out Cards account to send an unexpected card everyday – I don’t need to send a card out EVERYDAY. I just need to send one when inspiration strikes, and for that – my card stash does just fine.
Thanks for sharing your stories :) I hope it inspires more people to spread a little sentiment around.
I’m quite surprised by the response your post and Alice’s received. Those who are die hard fans and those who aren’t. In fact, my buddy (whom never cusses) got so heated I saw a cuss word on her comment! LOL
I left a comment on Alice’s, but also wanted to pipe in here. I also prefer handwritten cards, with a special message addressed just to me, and a handwritten signature.
There is something more special about it. I’m not anti cards that don’t include that, but if I had my choice I’d like the handwritten special message and siggy.
I really enjoy getting cards from you, btw. They’ve always been so touching, personal, and I could tell you sat down, took your time, and wrote something just for me.
Kelly,
I agree with you, if all there was to it was just sending a few cards. A handwritten card is great, but what if I want to do more than than just a few here and there? What if inspiration strikes one, two, three, four or five + times a day. What if you have a inspirational thought, poem or idea you want to send to 100 or 1000 people all at one, but you don’t have the time and email just doesn’t do it for you.
One of the top 2 Greeting card companies did a survey a few years back. They found that the average household purchase 10 greeting cards a year. In that same survey they found the average household had the need to send 70 cards a year. Now, why don’t they? The survey said: “It’s inconvenient, it costs to much and people forget!” 60 cards are not being send because It’s inconvenient, it cost to much to send a card and they forget?
Sendoutcards helps many people, that aren’t as good as you about sending cards, send the cards they normally wouldn’t, but want to.
If Sendoutcards can take a person like me and turn them in to a card sender, even if it is send from a computer, is that so bad?
I have gone from sending very few cards over the last 20 years, to over 9000 cards in the last 3 years. All 9000 + were personal card sent from a computer.
You see, Sendoutcards allows me to touch thousands in a year. It allows me to touch those I may not attempt to any other way.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Maya Angelou
Whether computer generated or hand written Maya Angelou is right.
I have touched more people with a computer generated card than I ever did with a handwritten card.
I wish I could hand write all the cards I send, but there aren’t enough hours in the day or night.
The joy of sending a creative heartfelt or unexpected cards through Sendoutcards is one of the most rewarding hobbies I have ever experienced. It has allowed me to give in ways I never dreamed I could.
DeMarr… you’ve really crossed the line from ‘blog commenting’ to over selling your product in an inappropriate situation and I have to be honest and tell you it’s turning me off big time.
I have expressed my preference as simply as I can and acknowledged your stories of how Send Out Cards is a blessings to others – and now I feel like you’re over evangelizing to the point of being irritating.
Can we please hold off on any fresh Hallmark Moments?
Kelly,
Sorry about my passion. I will stay off your blog.
The only reason I got on here was someone sent me your link and said you disliked Sendoutcards.
I really didn’t mean to come off as a sales job.
I may not have been reading you right and that is my fault.
My blood moves a little faster when someone says, a handwritten card has more value than a computer generated card, when I have seen otherwise. I am sure that is not what you meant. Forgive me for my ignorance and miscommunication.
I will bow out of this discussion.
I need to take issue with the person who sent you my link and said that I disliked Send Out Cards, because I’m pretty sure that I haven’t said anything but that I prefer to send and and enjoy (and highly value) receiving handwritten cards.
In any event, your passion is wonderful and your apology (was that an apology?) is accepted.
I really do agree with you. I just don’t have time and I have found any online card send program (and there are more than Sendoutcards) is better than sending nothing at all.
And, Yes it was an apology and I am sincerely sorry for reading this post wrong and ranting.
If you want to delete what I said on this blog feel free to do so.
As a scrapbooker I love hand making cards, I also have a card kit that is torture to keep my kids out of. They are constantly wanting to get into my goodies. :-)