Gift Cards

[photopam]

I want to start giving out gift cards to my clients who refer new clients. I am just not sure what to put on it. I was thinking about one side having biz name/logo and $ amount worth and a place to write in expiration date. And the back having studio information.

What do some of you guys do?

What size do you make them?

Thanks so much!

[Cajungaltx]

A couple of ideas.

Use the 'rep card' concept - I give them to seniors - they get a 'credit' towards their print purchase, or a cash amount if they prefer for every referral they send to me that books (pays their session fee) a session.

If it's kids/family shots - do a 'rep card' for them with their contact info on it - make it about the family's images. On the back, put your studio info on it. Let the CLIENT know that anyone they refer gets a complimentary 'whatever'... and THEY (the client) gets 'whatever' for the referral.

This leaves it up to the CLIENT to sell their friends/family on you... but regardless, every time they give someone that card - YOUR info is getting out there.

Just some suggestions.. hope it helps. ;-)

[Outlaw]

Great ideas from Katy. Rep cards and referral reward programs like that do a great job of inspiring clients to proactively promote your studio.

I looked at your web site and you have a really nice style Pam. I think the style of your gift cards should match your clientele - if you serve a lower-end market, smaller cards on simpler paper is perfectly acceptable, maybe even business cards as "referral" cards. If you serve a higher-end market, go for the all-out fancy die-cut paper with texture and lacy stuff and gold foil and "all the trimmings."

And of course, if you're somewhere in between, season to taste. You could offer different styles for different clientele - babies, seniors, brides, etc. Or even specific cards for specific sets of people: a husband for a wife, mother for a pregnant daughter, father for a high school senior son, a senior girl for a senior girl (buddy shoot!), etc.

I think if I were doing gift cards right now I would go with an oversized fold-over style, like a big greeting card. Lots of room for photos and information, and easy to buy envelopes for. I might spring for something fancy to seal the envelope with. I do not target the really high-end market, so I don't feel the need to spend a lot on deeply customized, tactile, die-cut luxury jobs.

When I give a gift of any kind, gift card included, I want it to have a presentation and purpose that's very personal to the person I'm giving it to. Even when I give a gift card to Target or something, I write a personal note with the card that explains why I chose that card for that person.

Hope that helps! Please do let us know what you choose to go with, why, and if you can, post some examples!

[photopam]

Thanks Donna and James! Great ideas.

I have been thinking about ordering a flat 5x7 card and cutting it in half for rep cards. That way it's bigger than a business card and small enough to stow in your purse, so clients can have them handy to hand out! And I think I'll just make notes in my software for the clients who get the referrals in the door to how much they get.