Comments on: To print or not to print. That is the question. http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question where commerce and conscience come together Fri, 18 May 2012 23:03:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dave http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-4890 Dave Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:18:39 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-4890 I kind of agree. I wonder what will have to change though for that to happen. I kind of agree. I wonder what will have to change though for that to happen.

]]> By: What do you think of Earth Day cards? | The Responsible Marketing Blog http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-4043 What do you think of Earth Day cards? | The Responsible Marketing Blog Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:02:36 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-4043 [...] asked a similar question regarding holiday cards at the end of last year, but the fact it’s for Earth Day adds a new [...] [...] asked a similar question regarding holiday cards at the end of last year, but the fact it’s for Earth Day adds a new [...]

]]> By: Phil http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-3570 Phil Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:01:11 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-3570 Perhaps I come from a traditional place but I am really big on printing cards. Honestly it is a week after Christmas and I am still opening some that I received. My problem with email and will become even more problematic within the next few years is open rate. I received 200 emails and who's do I open? A card, although viewed for a few minutes will almost always get opened because its human nature to find out who the card is from and do you need to send one back in like. Since we are talking about some from of connection, are you sending out Birthday cards? Marketing is about relationships, how to build loyalty and awareness. It is the little extra effort at a little extra cost that really means a lot to people. FYI, make sure the card is printed on recycled paper and the ink is safe. And if you really want to try some really cool, hey we are marketing people; have them send the card back with their greeting and you dispose of it properly. Now the communication has become Social! Phil Shaps www.philshaps.com Perhaps I come from a traditional place but I am really big on printing cards. Honestly it is a week after Christmas and I am still opening some that I received.

My problem with email and will become even more problematic within the next few years is open rate. I received 200 emails and who’s do I open?

A card, although viewed for a few minutes will almost always get opened because its human nature to find out who the card is from and do you need to send one back in like.

Since we are talking about some from of connection, are you sending out Birthday cards? Marketing is about relationships, how to build loyalty and awareness. It is the little extra effort at a little extra cost that really means a lot to people. FYI, make sure the card is printed on recycled paper and the ink is safe. And if you really want to try some really cool, hey we are marketing people; have them send the card back with their greeting and you dispose of it properly. Now the communication has become Social!

Phil Shaps
http://www.philshaps.com

]]> By: Melissa Griswold http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-3543 Melissa Griswold Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:40:51 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-3543 For things like the yearly Holiday Card or a Birthday Card hands-down, no questions asked printing is the right way to go (for now, at least - who knows what the future brings - maybe holographs?). Especially, when it's followed with a hand-written message to said client, vendor, partner, etc and ends with YOUR personal signature. Too many things in this day and age, while they've become more cost-effective, have turned cold and impersonal. And it's always nice, as a consumer, to get that warm-fuzzy feeling from a company. For things like the yearly Holiday Card or a Birthday Card hands-down, no questions asked printing is the right way to go (for now, at least – who knows what the future brings – maybe holographs?). Especially, when it’s followed with a hand-written message to said client, vendor, partner, etc and ends with YOUR personal signature.

Too many things in this day and age, while they’ve become more cost-effective, have turned cold and impersonal. And it’s always nice, as a consumer, to get that warm-fuzzy feeling from a company.

]]> By: Csalomonlee http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-3527 Csalomonlee Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:25:10 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-3527 From a personal perspective, I thought about doing a virtual card but realized that doing a print card communicates how much you CARE about the person receiving the card. Think about it - updating the address list, personally addressing the envelope and writing a personal message takes more time then selecting a digital card and sending to a list of emails. While there are many options for being more green, and possibly saving money in the process, personal connections are still important for business. I think the barometer is not will I be more environmental but rather how important is the connection for me and my businesss. From that perspective, a PDF may not change anything but a hand written personal note during the holidays may. From a personal perspective, I thought about doing a virtual card but realized that doing a print card communicates how much you CARE about the person receiving the card. Think about it – updating the address list, personally addressing the envelope and writing a personal message takes more time then selecting a digital card and sending to a list of emails.

While there are many options for being more green, and possibly saving money in the process, personal connections are still important for business. I think the barometer is not will I be more environmental but rather how important is the connection for me and my businesss. From that perspective, a PDF may not change anything but a hand written personal note during the holidays may.

]]> By: Chris Wilson http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-3526 Chris Wilson Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:13:37 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-3526 Thanks for starting this discussion. It's something that we thought a lot about this year while planning for the holiday season. Instead of sending out the usual thick stock, coated, foil-stamped seasons greetings, we opted for a lighter, recycled postcard that was both more environmentally and economically friendly. But, even with this more conscious solution, a digital solution would still be better in both categories. I think this is a big part of the conflicts when it comes to environmental issues. There are social norms and practices that are expected of us, which are in direct opposition of environmental efforts (such as sending out the corporate Christmas cards). You can find other examples all around us, how much we consume, throw away, how big or nice of a car we drive, how often we upgrade our homes and vehicles. It's hard to change habits, especially when we are trying to change habits which took decades and multiple generations to form. But somehow it has to happen. Thanks for starting this discussion. It’s something that we thought a lot about this year while planning for the holiday season. Instead of sending out the usual thick stock, coated, foil-stamped seasons greetings, we opted for a lighter, recycled postcard that was both more environmentally and economically friendly.

But, even with this more conscious solution, a digital solution would still be better in both categories.

I think this is a big part of the conflicts when it comes to environmental issues. There are social norms and practices that are expected of us, which are in direct opposition of environmental efforts (such as sending out the corporate Christmas cards). You can find other examples all around us, how much we consume, throw away, how big or nice of a car we drive, how often we upgrade our homes and vehicles.

It’s hard to change habits, especially when we are trying to change habits which took decades and multiple generations to form. But somehow it has to happen.

]]> By: Veronica Sopher http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/12/29/to-print-or-not-to-print-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1#comment-3525 Veronica Sopher Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:20:00 +0000 http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/?p=812#comment-3525 For me, print vs. digital has little to do with trust. It's the source that matters. I don't "trust" a hard copy more than a PDF, or vice versa, but most of the time, I'm happier to receive something in electronic format because it's much more portable and sharable. However, there is tremendous value in a hand penned thank-you note, both for the receiver and the sender. :) For me, print vs. digital has little to do with trust. It’s the source that matters. I don’t “trust” a hard copy more than a PDF, or vice versa, but most of the time, I’m happier to receive something in electronic format because it’s much more portable and sharable.

However, there is tremendous value in a hand penned thank-you note, both for the receiver and the sender. :)

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