Branded USB Gives Hope To Traditional Christmas Cards
It will come as no surprise that the tradition of sending Christmas cards is in decline, with the total sent out this year expected to be down by over 140 million from five years ago.
One of the key factors cited for this decline is the average cost of a Christmas card which now stands at £1.50!
An important consequent of this decline is the loss of revenue for charities, who have historically found this a significant source of income.
It is unlikely that this decline will be arrested, unless the card itself moves into the 21st century. This is part covered with the growth of e-cards, but with so many emails being received, there is little perceived value and they are soon filed in the delete folder.
However, there is a technology that could breathe new life into the card market. It is the humble Branded USB Memory stick. For a little more that the price of a paper card, individuals, families and businesses can print a personalised message onto a USB memory stick, added photos, videos, letters, including links to social media site such as Facebook and so much more.
There are a range of memory sticks that could be used. The most popular are:
- The Twister model which comes with a swivel action. The benefit of this model is that there is no cap to lose, it is robust and comes in a range of different colours. The metal clip can also be reprinted and replaced, so the opportunity to reuse for the following Christmas or other events.
- USB Pen – as the name infers is it a combination USB and writing pen. These have a real wow factor, can be fully branded and a great keepsake. Ideal for children to take to school, college or university.
- Finally, new wafer thin USB technology has allowed the development of a USB in the shape of a business card which is only 2mm thin. It can have a picture perfect image printed on to it and is light and cost effective to post.
It also has the added benefit of allowing the user to utilise the Branded USB Memory stick for their own use, during and after the festivities. A win for the sender, the recipient, and charities if they choose to offer these.
With the UK greetings card market worth over £1.5b pa the opportunity for the USB Card is certainly one to watch.