No Christmas Cards

Do not send Christmas cards to your customers.

This has nothing to do with being politically correct. It is about getting the best return on your marketing.

Think about why you might send Christmas cards to your customers. The only reason is to build relationships with your customers. That sounds like a good idea. So why do I tell you not to send Christmas cards? Because it is a waste of time and money.

The purpose of any marketing you do is to differentiate yourself from the competition. If everyone else is sending Christmas cards what’s the point of you doing the same? You won’t stand out. Your customer probably won’t even remember that you sent a card.

Instead, what should you do?

Send cards at other times of the year – when no one else is sending cards.

For example, you could send New Years cards to kick off the year. You might send cards for the first day of spring to celebrate new growth and new hope. Send a birthday card on the anniversary of Elvis’s birthday. Depending on your market you might celebrate mother’s day, father’s day or grandparents’ day.

Pick your event and celebrate it every year. And why not build the relationships with your customers by sending them greeting cards or postcards more than once a year?

It is hard to sustain a relationship with only one contact a year.

George Torok
Marketing Specialist
Motivational Speaker

Die Hard - The Jackal

Die Hard – Die Harder

Bruce Willis meets the Jackal.

The remake of the movie, “The Jackal” featured Bruce Willis as the Jackal.

As a fan of the original “Day of The Jackal” movie and a reader of many books about Carlos the Jackal I was excited to watch this movie. I still enjoy watching this movie.

I believe that this movie showcases Bruce Willis as his best as an actor. I never thought of Bruce Willis as a great actor however he shines in this movie. Most of the time, he plays the cold hearted mercenary killer. That is mixed with his masquerades as the fat Canadian saying “eh” and the cute American gay. That was interesting to watch Bruce kiss another man on the mouth. Certainly not die hard material. But of course Bruce was considered a gay sort of name for awhile. That was why the original TV series on the Hulk used David as the Hulk’s alter ego and not Bruce his real name.

So what’s my point?

You can recycle good themes. What sold once will sell again. It might need some repackaging. If fact we are witnessing a lot of repackaging lately and very little novelty. Of course if it was done 30 years ago and your audience hasn’t seen it – it is novel to them.

Hollywood does this very well. Look at the TV shows from decades ago that became new movies – Beverly Hill Billies, Addams Family, Superman, Lost in Space, The Fugitive, Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Mission Impossible…

I know there are more but my memory deceives me.

If you want “new” marketing ideas dial back 30, 50 or 200 years and see what you come up with. Don’t be afraid to resurrect old themes to leverage your marketing. A theme from 30 years ago has both nostalgia and novelty.

I wonder when they will come with an Ed Sullivan movie.


George Torok

Marketing Specialist

Proof Reading Tips from Daphne

Every good marketer needs a good proofreader. Enjoy these proofreading tips from the creator of Perfect Edit.

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Daphne's tips for proofreading your work:

Read it aloud and also silently but always slowly.
Read it backwards to focus on spelling.
Use a spellchecker, but don't depend on it.
Point with your finger to read one word at a time.
Don't proof every type of mistake at once - proof at separate intervals for spelling, grammar, consistency of word usage, etc.
Make a 'to-do' list of things to watch for as you edit.
Double check little words, they are often interchanged - e.g. or, of, it, and is.
Don't use fluorescent lighting while proofing.
Listen to music while you work!

Daphne at Perfect Edit
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Only a fool proofreads his own work.

Don't be a fool. contact Daphne at Perfect Edit for your written materials. Sometimes I try to save time by bypassing my proofreader - and that is when you will find errors in my material. Silly me.


George Torok
Marketing Coach
Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing

Marketing Speaker Report

Audiences Report on Marketing Speaker, George Torok

Read what they said after hearing George Torok speak:

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"CPSA presents over 150 events across the country in a year and you are the most professional speaker I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with."
Ann Babej
Canadian Professional Sales Association


"My sales brokers were not only presented with excellent, usable material that they can apply in their daily work, but they were also thoroughly entertained – what a rare combination."
Dan Lawrie, CLU, C.F.S.B.
Dan Lawrie Insurance


"This has been the most productive seminar our association has ever held. Totally captivating from start to finish."
Doug King
Ontario Monument Builders Association


"George entertains with more useful, behavioral insights and tips usable today than any other speaker I’ve heard through TEC and elsewhere."
Bob Michener
Campbell, Michener & Lee


"You have a gift."
May-Anne Leeder
Molson Centre for Innovation

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Are you ready to hear this motivational marketing speaker?

What business owner do you know that needs the wisdom of this marketing expert?

What association do you know of that craves this kind of audience feedback?

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Contact George Torok at 905-335-1977

For more information about the Power Marketing programs click here.

Read what CEOs and company presidents said about George Torok.

Read about the associations George Torok has worked with.

Learn more about the marketing coaching programs.


George Torok

Executive Coach
Motivational Speaker
Canadian Marketing Specialist