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I remember when I ordered my mom flowers for Mother's Day (only a diplomatic gesture, since I hate the whole commercial logic of it), and she was quite upset th
by kmfrk 14y ago
I remember when I ordered my mom flowers for Mother's Day (only a diplomatic gesture, since I hate the whole commercial logic of it), and she was quite upset that I had done something so impersonal as to order flowers for her online to have them delivered on the day.
I had still picked out the size and combination, mind, but something about it felt insincere to her.
Personally, I don't see a problem, but just a word of warning that some feel differently about the concept.
Perhaps a safe way to go about it is to send it to people under a certain age.
- darushimo 14y agoSeems like there's a difference here, though? You made your choice from a set of predetermined options. Handwriting (and not handwriting-like fonts) communicates more than just words, but attitude, character, and mood as well. That level of personalization might just translate through this digital -> analog experience.
- kmfrk 14y agoI think the best way to go about it is on a per-occasion and -person basis. A Mother's Day bouquet and card is different from a wedding RSVP. The best way to frame this product could perhaps be in terms of convenience and design rather than personalization. This scales really well for "batch" jobs, if you're sending thank-you letters or answering fan mail, for instance. In that case, there isn't really a problem with the quasi-analogue aspect of it, especially since people know that it's taken the person time and labour to craft the letter. The tricky aspect of it is that you are basically selling a product to two different demographics: the sender and the recipient. And getting the first one on board is, as you say, not that hard with such an interesting product. A good rule of thumb could be to use this in general, but be cautious of using it for annual events where it already feels like we are forced to extend cultural tokens of gestures towards each other?
- jessriedel 14y ago> Handwriting communicates more than just words, but attitude, character, and mood as well. Actually, I think signaling theory strongly suggests that the preference for handwritten notes is rooted in its difficult and time-consuming nature (i.e. a costly signal) rather than the emotional fidelity of the communication.
- statictype 14y agoYes, that's what I also felt. I think in that case, it actually works? Because you are putting the effort of hand-writing the card - just not on the actual paper that is sent out.
- jessriedel 14y agoI think it's probably somewhere in between. It's more work then sending an e-card, but not as much as finding paper, funding an envelope, filling everything out by hand, and mailing it.
- talpert 14y agoWe had the same concern so we designed each step of sending a card to be authentic - down to hand addressing the addresses on the envelope. You handwrite it all. But yes, you do skip going to the store and messing with stamps.
- mtgentry 14y agoCurious, is there a link to your site on the printed card? It's a better user experience for the recipient if they don't know how the hot dogs are made.
- talpert 14y agoA much debated topic around here as well! We decided to put our logo on the back of the card (small) with "from my iPad" underneath it. Thus far the response has been "oh, cool!" (with a hint of "interesting") rather than "oh - this is crappy and cheap"
- xkcdfanboy 14y agoIf the whole point is to disguise the effort spent, 'from my iPad' kills that premise. You are essentially sacrificing your product's value for word of mouth.
- statictype 14y agoYou are essentially sacrificing your product's value for word of mouth. He very clearly mentioned that the response has been more warm and positive than negative. So it seems obvious to me that they are not sacrificing their product's value at all.
- xkcdfanboy 14y agoHe can tout that all he wants, recipients of cards aren't going to be giving direct feedback and the sender is going to be thanked regardless. Having 'made with iPad' cheapens the card anyhow, throw your brand on it, and stop being greedy.
- Ilmesnkie_Jones 14y agoI agree that it depersonalizes something that's suposed to signal time and effort on the part of the writer but I've used the Apple Cards app that lets you make your own photos into a card and its been a big hit. I think in this day and age getting nice things in the mail may be enough in a lot of situations.
- tomjen3 14y agoThere are some people you can never make really happy, I guess and I am sad to say it appears your mother is one of them. That should not hold back the rest of us though.
- bnegreve 14y agoIf I was a mother, I'd rather a simple phone call than flowers ordered online from a someone that consider it to be only a diplomatic gesture and hate the whole commercial logic of it.