Valentine's Day E-Cards for Business?

Sure! Valentine's Day is the second largest holiday and last-minute shopping is the norm for this holiday. It's not too late to 'seize the day' and make last-minute e-commerce sales with simple to do, and focused, online marketing. Send coupons and promotion notifications using E-cards in combination with your web site.

If you sell items for this holiday... Just like Christmas, as Valentine's day gets closer and panic sets in, previously price-sensitive shoppers are looking for easily obtainable gifts.

Your current customers are the easiest to sell to because they know and trust your product/service. Send them an e-card with a discount or special gift with purchase. With the ability to order online, you will see an immediate response for your effort. Provided, of course, that you can get them what they need by Valentine's Day. Customers can make last minute online orders if you allow them to conveniently pre-order online and they can pick the product up at your store.

If you DON'T sell items for this holiday... You can still put together a quick promotion. Send Valentine's Day e-cards to:

• Offer a special Valentine's Day discount or gift related to the holiday.
• Spread Valentine's Day cheer to employees, customers and prospects with any of our animated e-cards. It's a great reason to say hi.
• Provide a discount or incentive for any product you sell that is red or pink regardless of whether someone would buy it as a gift.
• If you have a company web site, change the layout's primary color to red or pink for the day.

Fun Valentine's Day Facts

• Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach $16.90 billion
• the average consumer will spend $119.67
• the average male is expected to spend $156.22
• 63.4 percent of consumers planning to celebrate the holiday
• 189 million roses were produced for Valentine's Day in 2006, with 74% of rose purchases made by men, according to the Society of American Florists.
• According to the National Confectioners Association, about 8 billion conversation hearts will be produced this year; that's enough candy to stretch from Rome, Italy to Valentine, Arizona and back again 20 times.
• Consumers aged 25-34 plan on spending $164.32 this year (2007) on Valentine's day (nrf.com)
• Americans consumed 24.6 pounds of candy in 2003, much of which was consumed on Valentine's Day.
• In February of 2004, jewelry stores sold $2.4 billion worth of merchandise. (U.S. Censor Bureau)

The History of Valentine's Day

The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery; however, it is truthfully known that the holiday was adopted by Pope Gelasius I around the year 496 as a recasting of an old Roman festival that centered around the celebration of fertility. No one knows for sure which St. Valentine the Pope intended to honor, but amazingly all three possible St. Valentines were martyred on February 14.

The tradition of giving greeting cards on Valentine's Day began in England in the 18th century, but did not become popular in the United States until the 1850s. Today, Valentine's Day has been dropped by the Catholic Church because the historical origins of the holiday are questionable. However, people in the U.S. still celebrate it as a day of showing affection and appreciation for loved ones.

For all members...

Invitation Manager Enhancements.
You can now provide an "end date" for registration and a maximum number of guests allowed to register for your event. When your limits are reached, your guests will see a custom message you provide.