Over the years I've probably written at least dozen a dozen blog posts about holiday cards, and because October is fast coming to a close, I'm going to hit the idea one more time. While Marathon has an outstanding opportunity for products to offer your clients, I want to get you thinking about doing your own card this holiday season!

No photographer should ever use a store bought holiday card! You're an artist and your goal with just about everything you do should be to build brand awareness for your business. That means take advantage of every opportunity to get your work seen by members of your target audience.

Use your own images! What better way to remind people that you're an artist? You've got the potential to use any image you've captured and created - just make sure it's one of your very best.

Holiday time is the perfect time to crow a little! A holiday card gives you a chance to simply show off without being obnoxious about it. Showing a great image helps to reinforce your role as an artist. Plus, it's like the old "Subliminal Man" routine on Saturday Night Live. You're wishing people happy holidays and just happen to be sharing one of your own images.

Print a holiday message or hand-write your own. Personally I'm a fan of pre-printed cards with an extra comment, hand-written for those special clients and friends in your life. However you do it, there isn't a better way to share a little piece of your heart and wishes for the holiday season.

The back of the card is another opportunity. On the back of the card, where everyone might see Hallmark, American Greetings, etc. is where you put your logo along with your website, email address and phone number. This is about soft-sell marketing and the holidays give you a chance to advertise a little without being in anyone's face!

Over the years I've shared a lot of different cards from other photographers. My favorites, which I've collected for at least the last ten years or so are from Allison and Bleu Cotton. They've made creation of their card each year a family event. Here's one of my favorite cards below, just to help get you in the holiday spirit!

So, whether or not you create a scene specifically for your card or you use a landscape image you captured earlier in the year, don't let 2016 go by without taking advantage of one of the greatest marketing tools you have!  And, Marathon's BOGO offer right now makes it even more affordable!

• Holiday Cards: This should be a no-brainer, no matter what your specialty. And don't just think about holiday cards for your clients. Remember, you've got your own card to send out this year, and no photographer should ever be using a store-bought card. Use your own images and make this year's holiday card a way to remind clients the business you're in as you're wishing them a great holiday season!
• Professional Packaging: While it's not a particular product you'd offer a client, it is a necessity to your presentation. Don't just send them their album, cards or prints without creating a professional look to the delivery.
• Bella Art Prints: When Mark did his cartoon in 2013, the Bella line didn't exist. Now you've got stunning papers and the ability to offer a cost-effective product to your clients with outstanding quality and quick delivery too.
• Bella Art Albums: There is an infinite combination of colors, papers, and sizes to offer your customers albums as add-on sales, as well as a core part of every assignment. And, they're affordable, giving you an opportunity to build a stronger revenue stream of add-on sales.
• Artist Gallery Wraps and Floating Frames: Last year I used Marathon for several canvas prints for family members and good friends as holiday gifts. From different size canvas prints to canvas prints with a stunning walnut floating frame, we couldn't have been happier with the service. And, while a canvas print may not seem unique to most photographers, you'd be surprised at how excited consumers get when they see the quality.

All of this is an education process, and it starts with how you educate your clients. Click on the links to any of the product categories above and start thinking about how you can make this holiday season one of your strongest ever.

​You've got to plant the seed with your target audience, and while it sounds incredibly simplistic, it's no different than a trip to any fast food chain when you're asked,

                                                                                       "You want fries with that?"

by Skip Cohen

Every year about this time I do one more reminder to professional and aspiring pro photographers about holiday cards. There are two aspects to holiday cards. First, it's a product line you should be offering every person you photograph.. Whether a past client or somebody new to your target audience, you've got the ability to offer a level of turnkey service.

Second, let's talk about your own holiday card. There's no better way to remind people the business you're in than using one of your own images on a holiday card. I've written and talked about this in workshops dozens of times before. It's your image on the front of the card and your logo and contact information on the back. No professional photographer should ever send out a store bought holiday card!
 
Even better is Marathon's making it easy for you with a BOGO on all holiday cards plus free shipping, fast turnaround and terrific quality! Need more information, click on "Order Now" below and read about your options and make this the year you take advantage of one of the very best ways to remind people you're an artist!

Still not convinced? Pick up the phone and call Marathon today to talk with a member of the team directly. You'll always get the help you need, 800/228.0629.