Branding your holiday card? It’s the holidays, time for family and friends, not business… right? This is true but there is art (and a reason) to balance and blend your company brand and a holiday greeting.

The year’s end brings more than just football and gifts. It brings plenty of opportunities to make an impact as a business or individual. Most send cards as a token of appreciation, but few take full opportunity to not only thank, but also show their brand in a positive light. Not to sell anything, to simply share a positive message in the context of their brand.

You can go funny. You can go traditional or you can go philanthropic. The idea is to first push your holiday message and then subtly your brand. Here are a few sample of branding eCards created by Springboard Ad/design.

Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Facebook eCard
This card emphasizes the fact that Bahia Mar’s South Florida climate is a winter wonderland. This card was setup as a generic card so Facebook fans could share it and use it as their own. The card received 113 like and 29 shares.

Greenwood Regional Tourism & Visitors Bureau, eCard
This eCard uses a simply holiday message within the context of the brands design elements. It’s hard to go wrong when you take the traditional route.

Aladdin Realty, eCard
In the case of a vacation rentals, branding the location can be as important as branding your company.

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your card.

Incorporate Your Logo or Photo
Rather than choosing the over-used stock photo of snowflakes or reindeer, choose an image that can incorporate your logo, your photo, or an image of your team. Not only does this allow all individuals to be a part of the greeting, it also continues to strengthen public recognition for your brand and the people behind your brand. Use this as an opportunity to show your personality.

Make Your Greeting Useful
Rather than sending a generic card that will quickly be tossed after the New Year comes, make your greeting a piece that will be likely to be kept around. Whether it’s a tip for SEO success, or a motivational quote that is perfect for the office fridge, these pieces not only keep your brand around longer, but continue to strengthen your position as an industry expert.

Make It Personal
Above all, make each greeting meaningful to those will receive it. Adding a note of appreciation for a specific moment from the year, or signatures from the entire company can say a lot more than a typed generic greeting or signature stamp. In my opinion, the fanciest of cards can’t stand up to a hand written note.

If your company’s brand needs a facelift, or you starting out and are in need of brand development, call Brett Jones with Springboard Ad/Design at 954-655-8368.