Holiday Networking - 5 Tips to Strengthen Your Relationships

The holiday season is an excellent time to connect with family, friends, colleagues and prospective clients if you take time to develop an effective plan of action. Now is the time to develop a tactical plan that incorporates a bit of marketing into your holiday activities. Here are five tips to get you started.

1.Send your holiday cards in time for the cards to arrive during the first week of December. Being early has three main benefits: (i) your cards will be ahead of the surge of holiday cards; (ii) your cards will likely reach the intended recipient before holiday travel plans are in action and (iii) your cards will receive maximum time for exposure in environments where holiday cards are displayed.

2.If you are business owner or are authorized to purchaser cards on behalf of your company, select a unique and creative card design that is likely to make an impression on the card's recipient. You can also do this for your personal cards. If you follow point one and get your cards out early, the investment in customized cards will be worth the impression made by your card.

3.Write a personal note in each holiday card. While writing personal notes is a lot of work, you will find that a personalized message will help leave an impression on the card recipient that may lead to a follow-up phone call.