While I was at ImagingUSA in Phoenix in January, I learned about a nifty service called SendOutCards.com   This is a great new service that allows you to quickly and inexpensively send custom greeting cards to friends, family, or clients.  

This is great for photographers who want to keep in touch with their clients.  You not only can customize the text in the card, but you can also upload your own photographs on the front!  Plus you can even upload samples of your own handwriting and the cards are produced to look like you hand wrote them!  Then they address the envelopes to look like they were hand-addressed and stamped and they handle the mailing.   It couldn’t be easier!  Prices are way more reasonable than you’d imagine.  (There is an up-front cost to join, but if you think you’ll be sending a lot of cards, it appears to be worth it.)  About the only drawback I can see is that the U.S. Postal Service cancels the postage indicating the letter was mailed from Utah.  It would be better if it looked like it was mailed locally.

Also, some of you might be attracted to the differing levels of membership.   You can sign up to be a member, or you can take advantage of their multi-level marketing program.  This option may not interest everyone, but given that they are selling a real product that people can really use, they appear to be very legitimate and have a product that virtually sells itself.   So check out their website if you’re interested.  (No, I’m not a member of their MLM, so I’m not trying to sell you on this for any reason other than to just tell you about it!

Professional photographers take note:   All in all, this is an attractive service given the features and price.   Especially in this uncertain economy, finding ways to easily keep in touch with your existing clients and maintaining an ongoing relationship is well worth the expense.   (It costs much more to find new clients than to retain existing ones.)  

Article by Kevin Gourley

Kevin Gourley Photography, Austin, TX