What Are the Best Practices for Creating an Online Group Card?

Online group cards digitally bring together friends, family, and colleagues together to express collective well-wishes for a special occasion or milestone. Because an online group card is a digital version of the traditional paper greeting card, more loved ones can celebrate together. However, if you’re new to sending a group eCard, you may need help understanding the best practices when creating an online group card to ensure the card is a heartfelt expression of joy and appreciation. 

The following guide will share the do’s and don’ts for crafting the perfect online group card. From unleashing creativity to fostering collaboration, we’ll delve into ways to elevate your card from a collection of messages into a cherished digital keepsake. So, grab your digital pens, and let us discuss the art of creating an online group card that truly shines.

Things to Do When Creating an Online Group Card

Establish a Theme 

Before designing your online group card, brainstorm a theme that resonates with the occasion or the recipient. While not required, a well-chosen theme can tie everything together and make the card cohesive and memorable. The themes can vary based on an event, but here are some general ideas to consider that will work with most group eCards: 

• Share a favorite memory
• Share something humorous or a funny wish
• Include your favorite photo of them
• Include a video message
• Share something you appreciate about them

Get Personal

Encourage each participant to personalize their message or contribution. Whether it’s a heartfelt message, an inside joke, or a cherished memory, personalized messages add a touch of authenticity and warmth to the digital greeting card. It makes the recipient feel special and appreciated.

Embrace Creativity

Don’t limit yourself to just text! Encourage participants to get creative with their contributions. Let creativity flow freely, from photos and video messages to memes and GIFs. Embracing multimedia elements adds visual appeal and injects fun and personality into the card.

Quality Over Quantity

Instead of focusing on the number of contributions, prioritize quality. Encourage participants to put thought and effort into their messages rather than simply signing their names. A few heartfelt and meaningful messages will leave a greater impact than a slew of generic ones. So don’t feel like you need to invite everyone they know to contribute just for the sake of numbers.

Keep It Organized

Maintain organization throughout the creation process. Clearly outline deadlines for contributions and communicate instructions and guidelines for the content. As a best practice, when a group card is organized and well-outlined, contributors will better understand what to expect. Therefore, it will make navigating and appreciating the sentiments shared easier for the recipient.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Mistakes happen, especially when contributors are busy and trying to write a message between tasks. While a spelling or grammar mistake is not a big deal, proofreading before submitting is always a good idea. Encourage contributors to proofread their messages before submitting them. You can also select someone to review the remarks for glaring errors. 

Include a Crowd-Funded Gift Card

Incorporating a crowd-funded gift card into your online group card adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness and generosity to the celebration. Instead of individual contributions, participants can pool their resources to purchase a meaningful gift or experience for the recipient. Whether it’s a gift card for a spa day, a weekend getaway, or a special piece of jewelry, a crowd-funded gift card allows everyone to join forces and contribute towards a collective gesture of appreciation.

Read more: How Do I Edit an Online Group Card After It Has Been Sent?

Spread the Joy

Once the online group card is complete, share it with the recipient in a memorable way. Whether you send it via email, text, or social media, display it as a slideshow, or print it as a book, make the delivery as unique as the card itself. Seeing the collective effort and love put into the card will undoubtedly bring a smile to their face.

Things to Avoid When Creating an Online Group Card

Don’t Rush

Creating an online group card should be thoughtful, so avoid rushing through it. Try to avoid making the card at the last minute. Instead, give participants ample time to craft their messages and contribute meaningfully. Rushing can lead to sloppy work and generic messages, detracting from the overall quality of the card.

Avoid Making Your Message Too Long

A well-thought-out message is vital in creating the perfect group greeting card. However, messages that are too long may distract from the overall goal and could take away from another’s remarks. So, if you want to write a long message, consider delivering a separate, one-to-one card and keep your comments on the group card short and sweet. 

Steer Clear of Off-Topic Content

Maintain focus on the purpose of the card and avoid veering off-topic. Irrelevant content can confuse the recipient and diminish the significance of the occasion. Keep the messages aligned with the theme or purpose of the card to ensure coherence and relevance. For example, if it is a birthday card, content should focus on celebrating the person and not promote the contributors’ personal causes or opinions.

Don’t Exclude Anyone

Ensure that all intended participants have the opportunity to contribute to the group card. Excluding individuals can lead to hurt feelings and undermine the spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie. Excluding someone also eliminates a potentially positive and appreciative post that may be valuable to the recipient. Therefore, extend invitations to everyone involved and welcome their contributions with open arms. If writing on an open group card, consider tagging relevant people so they’re in the know.

Avoid Simply Copying and Pasting

While templates can be helpful for formatting, discourage participants from simply copying and pasting generic messages. Instead, encourage originality and authenticity by prompting contributors to share genuine thoughts and feelings in addition to using any message templates they wish to use. The sincerity behind the messages makes the online card truly meaningful.

Don’t Forget Accessibility

Keep in mind the accessibility of the online group card for all participants. Choose platforms and an electronic card design that is user-friendly and compatible across various devices and browsers. Additionally, consider any accessibility needs of the recipient, such as font size or color contrast, and select appropriate card templates to ensure everyone can fully appreciate the card.

Steer Clear of Negativity

Maintain a positive and uplifting tone throughout the card. Avoid including any messages a person may interpret as negative or critical. A digital card’s purpose is to celebrate and show appreciation, so keep the focus on spreading joy and positivity.

Creating a Group Card is Rewarding

When done right, creating an online group card can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following these best practices and avoiding common pitfalls, you can ensure that your group card is a heartfelt and memorable expression of appreciation and celebration.