Greeting Card Association Private Page

“Confessions of a Serial Note Writer”

Click the title above to view or download a transcript of the presentation by Elizabeth H. Cottrell to GCA’s Fall 2022 Retreat/Workshop on September 23, 2022. 

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What note writers want you to know

Feedback from members of “The Art of the Heartspoken Note” Facebook Group when I asked, “Do you have any tips for the members of GCA — what features call to you the most when you’re shopping for a card?”

• I wish I could see more birthday cards to adult daughters, whose verses/sentiments are also applicable to daughters-in-law. In other words, they don’t allude to “watching you grow up” but instead to being “proud of you.” I’m sure, if I had a son-in-law, I’d be wishing for similar-type birthday cards for him. It would be nice to have brother-in-law and sister-in-law types of cards, too. And what regular brother and sister birthday cards whose sentiments could be suitable for stepbrothers and stepsisters–again, people you may not have necessarily grown up with? Okay–I’ll step off the soapbox now.
• I’d love to see more cards for parents from kids that don’t gush about what a wonderful mom or dad someone has been. I need options as a child of bad parents that are simple acknowledgments of my parents on holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
• I am a BIG mail art fan & love pretty envelopes to send cards along in – always thought pre-stamped decorated envelopes would be great for letter writers/card senders – add.60 to cost, but easier to just drop in a mailbox after writing a note.
• I always add a personal message, so I appreciate it when the card features some space to do that, even if it’s on the back. Sometimes, there is so much advertising copy on the back that there’s not enough room for me to write a note. 
• [On the other hand] If I receive a note written on stationery that I love, I’m disappointed if there’s no information on the back to tell me where I can buy some for myself.
• Slick, glossy card stock may be best for making artwork pop, but most inks smear, so it’s usually not the best for those of us who enjoy using fountain pens. But now that I’ve discovered blotter paper, it’s not such a big problem. 
• Please don’t use glitter! It gets all over my desk and clothes and seems to keep showing up, even after I’ve wiped things off. 
• I look for warm, eye-catching colors and designs and always prefer sentiments that sound like something I’d actually say if I could express what’s in my heart. I don’t usually choose wording that’s too flowery or gushy.
• I appreciate that there’s been an attempt by the industry to be more inclusive. Keep it up!
• My mixed-race grandchildren love seeing faces (or hands) portrayed with coloring similar to theirs.
• Several commenters expressed being attracted to “card bundles” or boxes that brought the per-card price down and ensured that they had a stash of cards on hand when they needed them. This works better for single themes (birthday, sympathy, etc.) or unthemed cards (“just because” or “thinking of you” or artwork with no message). When you buy a bundle of assorted themes, you invariably end up with too many of a type you don’t use as often.  

 

Invitation to join “The Art of the Heartspoken Note”

I would love to have any GCA members request to join my private Facebook group, either as an individual Facebook member or as your company or product page. It is a place for members to share tips, tricks, and ideas for writing notes, and while we normally discourage promotional or sales content, we regularly invite our members who sell relevant products to share them with other members of the group.