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Computer Troubleshooters
The World's #1 computer service franchise network
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Global Newsletter
December 2007
Happy
E-Greetings! |
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As
e-mail is more widely accepted as a communication method
for doing business, it is also more commonly being
turned to for sending good wishes to friends and family
members on special occasions and holidays.
Slower, dial-up internet connections used to limit us
to sending a text email as our message, instead of mailing
a letter. But now faster, broadband internet can
handle animations, movies and audio too. So, don’t
be surprised if you see more cards in your Inbox and
less in your letter box.
For
most electronic greeting cards (‘e-cards’),
you would visit a website, select your card type & design,
and enter your message and the recipient’s email
address. Some companies are now also offering
photo cards, which can incorporate one of your special
digital photos in the design. The recipient will
receive an email with a link to their card or a link
to a website with a unique code to enter. It
may also be possible for you to be notified once their
card has been read.
Free?
There
are many reputable companies offering free e-cards and
a Google search for ‘free ecards’ will return
1.5 million results.
Unfortunately, some free sites will leave you with more
than just a card. One of the top listed pages in
our search results instantly generated advertising pop-up
windows. Another free site claimed that it contained
no spyware or adware, but it did include the MyWebSearch
product - which tracks the websites you visit for “the
purpose of ensuring that our search partners are appropriately
compensating us”.
Try websites of companies that you know and trust. |
Real?
Malicious
software developers like to take advantage of the holiday
seasons, using the popularity of e-cards to disguise
their dangerous software. If they infiltrate
your address book, their message will look like it
was actually sent from you, so your friends are more
likely to open it. Be wary of the e-mails that
you receive and only click on links in messages that
you are sure of. It is better to phone your friend
and ask if they really sent it, rather than regret
it later as you battle advertising pop-ups.
For
business use?
Regular
electronic newsletters, birthday and holiday cards
can be sent safely to your customer base, especially
if you take some steps to ensure their safety. Always
ask for their permission to be included in your email
marketing. Use an email marketing system which
easily lets them unsubscribe and fulfills any anti-spam
regulations that apply to your country or territory. Also,
choose an e-card site that actively working to protect
you against e-card email scams (for example, provides
details on what to look for in a legitimate e-card
message from that site).
Talk
to your local Computer Troubleshooter if you are concerned
about the contents of an e-card that you have received,
or if you’d like to learn more about communicating
regularly with your customers via email. |
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