The leaves are falling and although any day is a good day to , is right around the corner. In just a few weeks we will all be celebrating a with friends and family.

than at this time of the year. Say , I’m by remembering your customers, business associates, friends and family with cards!

We have a winner for our $100 Shopping Spree Giveaway! Drumroll, please . . . . and the winner is . . . Tamara McDonald of Dallas, Texas! Tamara’s name was drawn from all those who participated by posting a comment about the cards they enjoyed finding on CardsDirect.com.

Tamara posted the following, “I would get holiday cards! I send out about 150 every year, so this would be a great help!”

The comments touched on just about every card category offered on the site. Many favored our new line of birth announcements with comments like, “There are so many cute birth announcements it is hard to choose! My sweet baby boy is a week old today and I’d love to send out the Centered Photo Birth Announcement PC5660.”

Others liked our Recycled Cards- “Luv the Vines Growing Recycled Thank You Card. Has the girly scrolling vines and a retro vibe.”

Photo Cards had a strong following too. “Love the Wildlife Print Photo Card to use for so many different occasions.”

And, as with Tamara, others are excited about our new line of Holiday Cards. “I love cards and I love giving fun and unique cards. I would love to send out some of those cute Christmas cards this year! :)”

Go to www.hostessblog.com and type CardsDirect in the Search box to see all the entries and watch this CardsDirect.com/blog for future Surprise Giveaways! Congratulations, Tamara!

If you can make the Guinness Book of World Records for sales, you must know something about how to do it! Joe Girard sold cars but his suggestions for sales success can work for just about anything. I’ve customized them here to include selling product and services and yourself too at a job interview!

Positive Attitude. Even if you have to pretend, act like everything is great. Surrounding yourself with upbeat people is also a good idea.

Organize. Make lists and keep track of everything. Know where you’ve been, where you are going and how you will get there by planning ahead. For a job interview, know all you can about the company you are applying to work for.

Work. Dig in and work, even when job searching! Even at a lunch break, find those who will help your cause.

No-Nos. Don’t be late, chew gum, smoke, tell dirty jokes, wear too much perfume or cologne, or leave your cell phone on.

Dress. Dress to impress but also to fit the occasion or position. If you’re selling to blue collar workers, don’t wear expensive clothes and too much jewelry.

Listen. Listening shows that you care. Listen more and talk less. But, if asked a direct question, be ready for a well thought out answer.

Smile. A smile is a great asset and makes others feel more comfortable around you.

Return messages. Return all calls, emails and any message just as soon as possible.

Tell the truth. Just one lie will label you a liar for life.

Don’t overcharge. Be fair and offer value. You should assume comparison shopping will be taking place.

Stand in front. Stand in front of your product. You are the service they are actually buying. In job interviews, make sure the focus is on you. Reposition yourself if there are distractions in the interviewer’s line of sight.

Lock up the sale. Ask for feedback. Ask if there are any unresolved questions. Reinforce their trust and leave on an upbeat.

Reward yourself. Treat yourself well and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

And don’t forget to send Thank You Cards to those who interviewed you or Business Appreciation Cards to those who made a purchase!

Any other tips you’d like to add?

Source: {Joe Girard’s 13 Rules to Success}

Forbes called him the consummate salesman. Fortune Magazine praised him in their article, “The Art of Selling”. Newsweek called him “something special”. He received the title of Greatest Car Salesman by the Guinness Book of World Records. Who is this sales legend? Joe Girard is his name. Joe sold automobiles. He sold big ticket items one at a time, selling 1,425 cars in his best year. How did he do it? One of his secret weapons was greeting cards!

Joe sent out an average of 13 cards every year to each of his clients. He would send one card a month and holiday cards in December. He hired two assistants to help and remembered customers with birthday cards, anniversary cards and any celebratory occasion you can think of from Halloween to Groundhog Day.

He knew that business greeting cards inspired customer loyalty and proved that by keeping his name in front of his customers, they would be motivated to refer him to their friends as well as return when they needed another car.

Why not try it yourself and experience success just like Joe!

{source: Biztactics}

My daughter’s high school graduation class had 1,200 graduates in it. It took 2 full hours for them all to march across the stage and receive their diplomas. This year there was a change in venue. Graduation was moved to the Dallas Convention Center and it was impossible to hold every family member and guest who might have wanted to attend the big event. And so, each graduate was allotted 6 tickets.

Frantic phone calls began the minute this plan was announced. There was a mad rush to secure extra tickets for aunts, uncles, cousins, family friends and everyone who wanted to come and join in the celebration. I’m told some students were even selling their tickets if they had extra ones on hand, but I can’t confirm that!

I was approached by many, asking if I had any extras. As it turned out, I did have extra tickets to give to those in need and was happy to accommodate them. What surprised me though was the lovely Thank You Card I received following graduation day from one of those I shared a ticket with. With out of town guests to entertain along with all the hoopla that goes with graduation, how this lovely lady managed to find the time to write and mail a thank you card for my unused ticket was a delightful surprise.

Thank YOU, Andrea!

So folks, do you remember to send Thank You Cards when a nice gesture of appreciation is called for?