Individual greetings make better impression

Individual greetings make better impressionBerlin - A blank card and a pen often are enough to make a person break out into sweats. The perfect phrase just won't come to mind when writing a birthday, holiday or anniversary greeting as people struggle to find the right words.

The best tips to follow in this situation are as follows. Keep the greeting short and crisp and mention a hobby or character trait of the recipient.

"The more individual they are, the better greetings are received," said speech writer Frank Rosenbauer of Kirchen, Germany, who has written a guidebook on the subject. When sending a birthday card to a relative, the sender has an opportunity to bring up an anecdote and hang the entire greeting on it.

"I search for noteworthy positive characteristics of the person I'm writing to - something that makes that person special," said Rosenbauer.

This is also true among colleagues. If the person celebrating a birthday has an extraordinary hobby or if he comes from a particular place, it can make a suitable introduction. Quotes also provide an opportunity - famous ones and possibly quotes known only to the recipient.

"If the recipient likes to watch boxing, for example, a Max Schmeling or Henry Maske quote could be used," said Rosenbauer. Depending on how close the sender and recipient are, a greeting can also be funny. However, among business partners and customers, formal greetings are better, Rosenbauer said.

The text of a card for one's boss also should not be too personal, said style trainer Jan Schaumann of Berlin. It usually is enough to send the boss a simple message, perhaps one wishing him well. But before sending a card, it's best to ask others who work for him or her whether a collective card should be sent around for everyone to sign.

An individual card can create problems for the sender. Employees who have a special relationship with the boss should congratulate him or her face-to-face.

Whether the card is for the boss, a colleague or a sibling, the text should be short and customized rather than long and wordy.

"Three to four sentences are absolutely sufficient. The recipient usually gets a flood of cards and other greetings on a special occasion," said Rosenbauer.

Once the right words are in place, there might be temptation to use the text again the following year. This is best avoided, said behavioural trainer Alfred F. Schmidt of Munich.

Cards sent to friends and colleagues for the holidays of Christmas, New Year's and Easter can carry the same greeting. The personal introduction and individual greeting at the end form an individual greeting around the core message.

Schaumann said it's often not enough just to send a card when a company is celebrating an anniversary. A speech is more fitting. Rule number one is to make it positive. Old adversities and embarrassments should not be brought up.

"The anniversary of a company is an honourable day and the employees also should be honoured," he said.

A wedding also offers an occasion for a speech. Whether delivered by the father of the bride, the best man or maid of honour, a good speech is not only well thought out, it's also polished, said Rosenbauer. Speech-making requires practice, optimally in front of a mirror. It's important not to talk too fast and to make occasional pauses.

The same rule applies to writing a greeting card and to speech- writing. Keep them short and compact. Apart from that, the time chosen to make the speech must also be appropriate.

"At a celebration where a meal is served, it makes no sense to speak immediately before the main course," said Schmidt. The audience will be far more attentive after their thirst has been quenched. (dpa)

Regions: