eye got a feeling. . .

Today upon arriving at work I stopped at the box outside to get the daily stack of mail before settling into my computer and sorting through the mass amounts of emails waiting for me. It’s unusual these days to have anything but bills, junk or someone else’s mail placed in my box mistakenly. Almost all of our customers are billed to their credit cards taking away the urgency of waiting for checks to arrive.

As I reached for the stack one envelope seemed to jump from the pile. A gray almost stone colored envelope that I quickly identified as one that I had probably sold. The return address confirmed my notion and indeed it came from a customer of mine.

Still, my heart felt the emotion of having received something outside the mundane routine of daily mail. To think someone cared enough to think of me washed over me with a wave of joy. Ok, maybe not in those exact terms but I must admit it was a pretty cool feeling.

Savoring the moment I sat down to immediately type this blog. I have yet to open this grand item caring almost less about what it contains but rather enjoying the current emotions just receiving it have brought me.

I share this with you in the hopes you might understand the importance of how this simple gesture on the senders part has come to brighten my day. I’d like you to imagine how incorporating this into your business and personal life may change the dimension of what you do.

Today, right now, find any type of greeting or note card you have around the office or home. Take two minutes and fill it out with a simple hello if nothing else. Address it to the first person that comes to mind. Get it stamped and in the mail box before your postal carrier arrives.

Right you’re probably thinking I don’t need to send a card, I understand the point he’s making. Actually you’d be wrong. What I want you to experience is how it feels when you send that greeting card to someone. Then, only then will you truly understand the simplicity of how all this works. When you’re done please email to let me know how you felt. Include your name and address and I promise to drop a card in the mail to you sometime in the near future. I’d do it today but would rather catch you off guard like I was today. daniel@izongreetings.com

remember me?

Here we are; t-minus 31 days and counting till the New Year. Lately I have heard too many stories about what 2009 is going to bring. Everyone keeps saying how next year things will be different, how we’re expected to turn this thing around like nothing has happened.

Well folks, I’m here to tell you that in one short month if you are still in business now you may not make it until the ball drops. In the next fours weeks you could find your loyal customers lost forever. Like you, each of them is witnessing countless businesses closing up. Major chains going out of business and huge companies letting thousands of employees go.

I have a simple solution that is proven time and time again to work no matter what line of work you are in. The effort and commitment have to be yours though. Try to think of what sending out resumes is like, or trying to explain your situation at the unemployment office or worse…okay, I won’t go there.

Dan's 3 step approach:

1. Reach out a single customer each day letting them know you’re alive and still in business. Make a call, a quick email or my favorite, send a greeting card.

2. Next, find a past customer and touch them in the same way.

3. For each holiday card you get in the mail either at home or at work take the time and immediately respond in the same fashion. Remember, you may not sell to family members but they sure sell you.

Does all this seem like a lot of work? It is, at first. I said it was simple not easy. I guarantee that with this effort you will have reached out to almost 100 people who will remember you come January 1^st.

As for me, I am alive and still doing business. Feel free to respond to me today as your first day kicks off to making it great in 2008.

don't make me get my flying monkeys

Is this what the world is coming to these days? I see news reports about banks that are closing. how the price of houses have gone in a double digit decline. We knew the mortgage industry was going to be bad but never this crazy. And can someone let me know about the tidbits of information I am getting today about Hillary replacing Biden due to his health. Then I hear that Bill was on TV seen chumming up with McCain looking to have his wife take Palin's spot. WOW, my head is spinning.


So now our country is finally figuring out that we can't live beyond our means. What does that mean? What really are means? Why does everyone seem so mean? Know what I mean?


Meanwhile (sorry) I sit here trying to sell greeting cards to help spread goodwill and cheer, thinking I am offering a much needed service or is it a false sense of hope?


To find out, I took matters into my own hands and started mailing cards to random friends, family and business acquaintances. I even used them instead of those window envelopes to pay monthly bills. Can you imagine what happened?


(pause to imagine)


Almost everyone (except utilities and the IRS) had something to say about how it made them feel when the card arrived. Sure they're in the same boat as everyone in this country. But it felt just a little bit better knowing that I took the time and effort trying to make them smile and forget about their worries.


(pause for sniffle)


Who can predict what the days ahead have to offer us. What I can predict though, is how you can help make others feel this special. I guarantee you it will change your outlook on life. Take a peek at some of the great cards we offer at www.izongreetings.com Get out there and spread some cheer one card at a time.


(pause to shop)


My plan B is to have the bushes below my window padded in the event I have to jump like they did during the Great Depression. (what was so great about it anyhow?) Oh, and I have a line of doomsday cards in the works to cover myself should my idea of spreading joy turn sour.


Hope is around the corner. In just a few months we could have Sarah and Hillary in the White House. Martha can do her shows from the main kitchen, the cast of the View can bring their couch and Oprah can be Queen. Hannah Montana will sing the national anthem.


(pause for flying pigs/monkeys)


This has been just a bit too much for me today (I need a nap). I can't imagine how you must feel, thanks for staying with me. Bottom line, we all have enough love to see us through this. Share the love, send greeting cards.