When Should You Use a Virtual Greeting Card?

Imagine it is your sixth birthday, and it is time to open presents. As you eye a large gift, your excitement builds when you begin to grab the corner of the wrapping paper. Then, every 6-year-old’s nightmare happens: an adult says, “Make sure to read the card first!”

As a kid, a paper greeting card may have just been the thing that delayed us from playing with our new toy, but times have changed. As you’ve aged, you realized that the card was another way for your loved one to show their love and appreciation for you. 

Greeting cards have been a means to communicate messages of celebration, sympathy, and appreciation for years. However, as the world becomes increasingly digitalized, it is only natural that the greeting card does too. 

What is a virtual greeting card?

A virtual greeting card is an electronic version of the paper greeting card commonly found at your local grocery store. These cards are used to celebrate the various milestones in someone’s life, just as old greeting cards did. The significant difference is that you obtain the card online, allowing for more delivery options. 

Typically, ecards are sent via email, social media, or other messaging services. Additionally, many companies allow you to download the card to save and print it, providing you the opportunity to deliver a physical version as well. 

Outside of extra delivery options, a virtual greeting card like Kudoboard provides added benefits that a paper card cannot.

Benefits of a virtual greeting card

The most significant benefit of an ecard is that it provides flexibility. Because the cards are online, you can select from a wider selection, send them in more ways, and even create something yourself while staying in the comfort of your home.

The benefits of a virtual greeting card include:

• Greater variety of cards
• Selections from the comfort of your home 
• Options for instant delivery
• Longer messages
• Easy downloads and printing
• Cost savings
• Time savings
• No-cost mailing
• Convenient storage
• Easy group contributions

Times to use a virtual greeting card over a paper greeting card

If you are used to giving a physical card to someone, you might find yourself uncomfortable with giving a virtual card. For many, it can seem impersonal and less memorable. However, a virtual group greeting card has the potential to be as personal as, if not more personal than, a paper card. 

Because you are more able to adapt and personalize an e-card, you can customize the card and message to fit the situation better. Plus, you will be able to combine the benefits of a paper greeting card with that of a virtual one. 

While an online greeting card can be used to replace a paper card on any occasion, sometimes the situation naturally lends itself to an ecard. For example, when:

• The person does not live close
• The person is younger and prefers digital copies of things
• Someone may be moving (so the card won’t be lost)
• A group is collecting messages
• You’re thanking someone you do not regularly see

32 Opportunities to use a virtual greeting card

A virtual greeting card is meant to celebrate many occasions and milestones like a paper greeting card. You can also use one to express a sentiment you wish to share. Simply put, you can use an online greeting card on any occasion you feel needs something special added to it.

But, perhaps saying any occasion is too broad. To help you narrow it down, here are 32 occasions where you might want to consider using a virtual greeting card: 

Occasions and holidays

1. Retirement
2. Birthday card
3. Wedding anniversary
4. Work anniversary
5. Christmas
6. National Boss Day
7. Mother’s day
8. Thanksgiving
9. Father’s day 
10. Valentines day
11. Administrative Professional Day
12. National Doctor’s Day
13. National Nurse’s Day

Events

14. Funeral
15. Graduation card
16. Wedding card
17. A new baby card
18. Engagement card
19. Online memorial

To express feelings

20. Thank you cards
21. Employee shout-outs
22. To offer condolences
23. To say farewell
24. As congratulations
25. Express sympathy 
26. Show appreciation for a teacher or mentor 
27. Just because
28. To wish someone good luck 
29. To say welcome
30. To say, “I love you.”
31. To say, “I miss you.”
32. Express appreciation and gratitude

How to create a virtual greeting card

While there are many websites to make virtual farewell cards, Kudoboard is a leading option with over 10 million users (although I might be a little biased). Kudoboard’s online virtual card creation platform makes it easy to build an ecard for any occasion. In just a few steps, you will have a unique, personalized card ready to fill with photos, videos, and meaningful messages. 

To start a card with Kudoboard, go to their website and click “Create a Kudoboard.” Then follow these steps:

1. Select a board– you will be able to select the occasion, title, and card design. Be sure to select a title that clearly describes the board’s purpose. 
2. Write a message:  Set the standard and be the first one to write a heartfelt message. Writing an example message will help others know what to write as well as what options are available to enhance their messages. 
3. Collect signatures: Send out the link to the virtual greeting card for others to contribute. The link to the card can be sent out via email, Slack, social media, or any other messaging platform. 
4. Add a gift card: A gift can be a great addition to your farewell card. A Kudoboard group ecard provides the option to add crowd-funded gift cards to your group ecard. 
5. Send the card: When everyone has had the opportunity to include a message of appreciation, it is time to send it. The recipient can receive the card in a variety of ways: 

• Print and give them a physical poster or book
• Send it via an email or link
• Display it as a slideshow on a special occasion

Take a chance and send a virtual greeting card

If you are intimidated by virtual greeting cards or feel you will miss giving a physical card to your loved one, take a chance and give an ecard a try. You might find it a pleasant change to not have to drive to your local grocery store, peruse the greeting card aisle for the perfect card, and then go through the effort to deliver it.