10 Do's and Don'ts for Lawyer Holiday Cards

Unless you are Martha Stewart, you know about as much about the etiquette of sending holiday cards as anybody. That's because everybody old enough to write their name and lick an envelope knows to send cards for those special days.

But how many lawyers know what cards to send and to whom? If you had to think about it, then you know what we're talking about. And that's why we're here to offer some do's and don'ts on sending holiday cards.

Holiday Cards: Do

1. Send cards. Unless it's too late. There's nothing like a lawyer missing a deadline and then advertising it.

2. Send generic holiday cards. You can debate whether Christmas has been homogenized later. This year, just wish everybody happy holidays.

3. Make it personal, but not too personal. A signature would be nice. Photos of the family might be too much information.

4. Be creative. Stand out from the crowd with a custom card. You can do it online to make it easy.

5. Send a gift, too, when appropriate. It would be appropriate to send gifts to those who have referred business. Not so much to judges on pending cases.

Holiday Cards: Don't

1. Don't send the same card from last year. That's like serving leftovers to guests. It's almost as bad as re-gifting.

2.  Don't send solicitations for business. Especially, stay away from sending unsolicited cards to hospital patients or ambulance drivers.

3. Don't be a bill collector at the same time. Maybe wait 'till the New Year to send out bills. Clients probably spent all their money on Christmas gifts anyway.

4. Don't boast about your financial conquests. It may suggest you are fine without more business. Plus you might inadvertently send a card to someone you owe money.

5. Don't send e-cards. They're just too easy, i.e. cheap, for a message from a law firm. Clients expect more.

If you need more tips, here's some inside information from Martha Stewart

Related Sources:

• Top 5 Law Firm Holiday Cards (Inside Counsel)
• Season's Greetings 101: The Why and How of Sending Firm Holiday Cards (FindLaw's Strategist)
• How to Get New Clients at a Holiday Party Without Really Trying (FindLaw's Strategist)