Mariah’s Monthly Insights: January 2025

Happy New Year and welcome to the January edition of Mariah’s Monthly Insights. This month, I’m diving into the power of appreciation and the way a simple "thank you" can create a ripple effect, as highlighted by Mark Sanborn’s G.R.I.P. framework. Plus, explore how customer expectations are evolving in 2025 and ways brands can meet them with personalized direct outreach.

Top Posts:

G.R.I.P.: Impact Through Appreciation

I love Mark Sanborn’s message about the ripple effect of appreciation. A simple “thank you” can create a chain reaction, motivating others to pay that gratitude forward.?

Thank you for sharing this powerful reminder that small acts of appreciation can spark meaningful change

Trends to Look Out for in 2025

I couldn’t agree more with Shopify’s latest article on hyper-personalization. Customer expectations are evolving and brands that can meet them will set the standard for customer experience in 2025 and beyond.

Consider these stats:

• 81% of customers prefer companies that offer personalized experiences.
• Personalization can increase revenue by 5% to 15% while reducing acquisition costs by 50%.

However, there’s still a gap between what brands deliver and what customers expect. Segment’s State of Personalization Report found that while 92% of brands claim to offer personalized experiences, only 19% of US online consumers rate those experiences as good or excellent. There’s so much untapped potential! Tools like Hallmark’s Connect make it easy to send personal messages at scale—creating meaningful customer connections while driving results.

Check out the full article for more great insights on where personalization is headed, and ways to make your customers, in all of their uniqueness, feel cared for and known:

Empowering Teams During The Holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time for customer-facing employees, but having the right tools can make all the difference. We’ve seen an 18% increase in employee satisfaction when teams are empowered to send Hallmark-branded holiday cards to their clients.

Hallmark's Legacy on the Today Show

Hallmark has been synonymous with the holidays for more than a century—a brand built on connection, creativity, and the power of celebration.

It all started in 1910 when JC Hall stepped off a train in Kansas City with nothing but two shoeboxes of picture postcards. Fast-forward to today: Hallmark has created over 1 billion greeting cards and continues to innovate in meaningful ways.

I loved hearing JC Hall’s great-grandson, Andy Pence, share: “Never underestimate people’s desire and capacity to feel warmth and love and connectedness, especially around the holidays.”

What’s your favorite Hallmark holiday memory? I’d love to hear.

Watch the full video here:

Jesse Itzler’s Annual Tradition For Meaningful Connections

Jesse Itzler shared how he built his network early in his career by writing ten personalized letters a day—over 3,000 letters in one year! He didn’t have a marketing budget, but he had time, intention, and a pen.

Thirty years later, he still takes time each December and January to send 25-50 personalized thank-you notes to people who positively impacted his life, business, and family—a small tradition that creates meaningful connections and leaves a lasting impression all year long.

Who’s on your list?

?? Friends who showed up when it mattered

?? Customers who supported your business

?? Teachers who helped your kids grow

?? Delivery drivers who went the extra mile

?? Colleagues who went above and beyond

Tips From Hallmark Business Connections

Starting a new job can be overwhelming. For many new employees, walking into an unfamiliar environment with fresh faces and processes to learn can feel daunting.

This is where the art of a warm welcome becomes invaluable. Unlike emails or standard onboarding documents, a thoughtful personalized greeting card adds a personal touch that fosters a sense of belonging. Hallmark’s customizable welcome cards allow you to reflect your company’s culture and send a warm, inclusive message. Read on for tips for selecting and customizing Hallmark welcome cards.?

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