With Valentine's Day one week away, businesses are cashing in on the business of showing someone you care. Teddy bears, flowers, chocolates and sexy lingerie have always topped the list of potential gifts to buy the ones you love, but what about the ones you don't care about quite so much?
eCards can be found at many different Web sites, but as one of the most popular holidays for eCard businesses approaches, new and different approaches are being taken to show that eCards can be sent to almost anyone on your list, and even those who don't deserve to be on that list.
American Greetings is one of the most popular eCard companies, offering a variety of cards through its Web sites, each targeting different demographics.
Sally Babcock, Senior Vice-President of American Greetings Interactive, said that several new eCards have been released for the Valentine's Day holiday, including some with an "Anti-Valentine's Day" message.
American Greetings estimates Valentine's Day spending will reach over $100 per person this year, with the 18 to 24-year-olds spending an average of $155. The company also said paper greeting cards are the most bought item. However, the company is quick to point out that eCards are becoming very popular for making the quick "thinking-of-you connection."
Babcock points out, however, that she sees that paper cards and eCards can work together in unique ways for the holiday.
"We see them really working hand in hand," Babcock said. "People might send an eCard to your loved one while they're at the office, and then when they come home give them a print card to really show how you feel."
She also said, eCards are a good way to drop a quick note to show your friends how you feel, even if it's not a holiday.
"There are some great advantages for eCards," Babcock said. "One is the ability to say a little something with a unique look and feel. So instead of an email that says, 'Thanks for helping me cram for today's exam, I couldn't have done it without you.' You can send a fun Thank You eCard and really bring a smile to someone's face."
Freshman Devin Klatt said she sends eCards to people, but she uses them only for smaller occasions.
"Usually, it's not holidays," Klatt said, "It's just at random, but [when I do send eCards on holidays] it's the smaller holidays like Halloween, Valentine's Day and St. Patricks day."
AmericanGreetings.com and its other Web sites offer users subscriptions so that they may send eCards to friends and family whenever the situation comes up.
Also with the approach of the holiday, other Web sites are doing what they can to offer users an enticing way to use the Internet to say I love you on Valentine's Day. CardsinAdvance.com offers a unique way for site visitors to send cards through their Web site.
Users are able to choose a card and fill out a web form, typical to most eCard Web sites, but the difference with this site is that an actual paper card is sent to the recipient, with real handwriting. It is almost exactly like sending a paper card from the store, only one of the company's employees handwrites the message, which you authored, and someone else licks the envelope and puts on a real postage stamp. So that it looks like it came direct from the sender.
The Web site welcomes users with the message:
"This site allows you to purchase and personalize real paper greeting cards online; all of our greeting cards are handwritten and mailed by a member of our staff on a day you choose."
Cards are available to purchase in packages ranging from 5 cards for $11.50 and up to 50 cards for $90.00 and can be spread out anytime throughout the year.
When it comes to choosing between a paper card and an eCard, Klatt said she decides based on how close she is to the person.
"It depends on the occasion and how close I am to the person," Klatt said, "But the closer I am [to the person], I'd be more likely to send a paper card."
So whether users are looking to send a flash valentine in the form of an eCard to someone they do or do not care for, or if they want to make it look like they put in more effort than they did, the Internet is offering several choices this season to send those last-minute greetings.
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