This is a great question, however I can't post the link to use as an example because the person obviously thinks it was a great example to which I disagree, so it would be rude and personal to pick apart his greeting card in my blog so I won't. The good news is, you probably don't need to see his as an example because since posting Stephen Treadway's link as a positive example of a greeting card, I've received multiple cards in both photograph and video format.
First I'll tell you why I liked Stephen's and if you fit into this category congratulations, I liked yours too, but I'm not going to post everybody's.
1. Stephen is a DP, so he's all about lighting and the photo on his card had "lighting" plus was creative, and had a sense of humor. So I learned 3 things about Stephen.
2. I don't know Stephen personally, yet he put me on his list. That made me feel special, like he took the time to add me to his list.
3. He did not solicit me, he simply sent a brief, kindly worded, wish for the holidays,
4. Waaaaaaaay down he had a link to his site. It was not a solicitation, it was simply smart marketing. I was curious after seeing this photo, to see more, so while I didn't see a link, I scrolled down hoping I would find one. Yay! I did.
5. He used an email system that allowed for sharing on the internet. So I did! He made it easy for me.
Why I didn't accept the request to share your link (and believe me when I tell you, you are NOT the only person who did this)
1. You are a photographer by trade. You shot a beautiful photograph that was creative, wished me a general happy holidays, and then solicited me. You told me that you can create creative shots like this for my holiday card if I don't have one yet.
2. You told me how much it was going to cost. That felt icky, like if wasn't a holiday card at all but a solicitation for work.
Like I said, you were not the only one, I received 2 YouTube video "cards" as well in the same format. One more professional than the other. What I personally didn't like was that it started out so nice and personal and the next thing I knew I was being "sold to" me with a whole price slide and everything.
Look, I am the first to applaud marketing. And I truly hope that everyone who followed the "selling" method made money and new clients. That said, Stephen didn't have to sell me. His work made me curious enough to go through his entire website.
To you, the photographer who asked this question, if you had done a simple card, like Stephen's with a link to more photographs, based on your photo, I would have clicked on it, and there, I would have been happy to find a page that talks about your Holiday Card special.
To everyone reading this, THIS is my opinion only! It's how I like to start relationships with people I don't know. I believe thank you notes, holiday cards, and birthday cards, should be stand alone sentiments without selling.
Happy Holidays!
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