Stock Up on Stationery: What You Really Need for a Successful Business

Having just started our sled business, Molson Runner Sleds, I know how important is it to make sure you have the appropriate stationery to not only present yourself in a professional manner, but also to keep you organized.    Today Heather Hewitt from Shutterfly is sharing her top 5 stationery items you need to run a successful business.

 

– Business cards. These are a must-have for every professional.  Not only should you keep some at your desk for in-office visitors, but it’s important to keep some on hand at networking functions, such as lunches, meetings, conferences, etc.  There are a variety of designs, colors and fonts to choose from online.

– Return address labels. For the business that sends out frequent mail, customized return address labels are a necessity.  Design labels that catch the eye so customers don’t automatically relegate your mail to the junk pile.  A personalized address stamp is a nice alternative, although there might not be as many design and color options as with the address labels.

– Letterhead. Having functional letterhead – complete with your company name, your name and contact information – is ideal for all professional communications.  However, a lot of communication nowadays takes place via email, so don’t worry about stocking up on a ton of this product unless you plan to mail professional hard-copy communications several times a month.

– Thank you notes. Inevitably, you will come across someone in your business circle who you want to thank – and that’s when customized thank you notes come in handy.  People love how personal a handwritten note can feel and being willing to take time to write a note expresses true appreciation.

– Envelopes. If you use return address labels or a stamp, you might be able to get away without customized envelopes.  However, if you decide you’d rather spend the money here, be sure your envelopes match your letterhead and other stationery.

– Employee recognition cards. For the start-up business, these are probably an “extra” until you find your financial footing.  However, for larger businesses with several employees, it can be a kind gesture to reward their hard work with recognition cards, including birthday and company anniversary cards.  In addition, welcome new employees with cards featuring a friendly message.

– Business event invitations. If your company is hosting a professional event, try sending custom business invites in the mail.  They go a step above and beyond the email invitation and speak to the quality of your company.  However, this is definitely more standard for established companies – so don’t feel bad if your budget is tight and you don’t quite have the funds.