Note: This post originally ran last March, and I am rerunning it today. With the various computer types clients and vendors have, it is important to send attachments in a format everyone can easily read.
If you are a business professional and are still sending email attachments as a Word document or Excel file, you need to stop. right. now.
PDF's (short for Portable Document Format) are the industry standard and can be opened by anyone who has the free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader (and yes, everyone has this, whether your target client is the young college-aged bride or the older bride with an established career). Everyone does not, however, have compatible versions of Word and Excel.
If you have a Mac, creating a PDF is simple because it is built into the system. Simply press print and choose "Save as a PDF". Voila! You're done and ready to attach your document to an email.
If you are on a PC, some new versions of Microsoft Office also have a built in option to convert documents to PDFs. If you have an older version though, and you don't have the Adobe suite, here are two free versions of PDF creators that you can use: PDF995 and Primo PDF. These two versions also create PDFs via the print menu.
Everything you do contributes to your branding, including how you handle email. When you are a professional charging for your services, then each little detail needs to reinforce in your client's mind that you are worth what you charge and are in fact a pro and not a wedding hobbyist. Sending attachments via PDF is simple and should be incorporated into your standard email procedures.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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For millennials, the generation that accounts for more than 70% of today's weddings and the first to grow up with the Internet, technology has done more than give unprecedented access to information; it has physically changed their brains on a microcellular level. What worked in bridal marketing just ten years ago is no longer effective because the way today's engaged couples think is actually different than couples of generations past. In 
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13 comments:
Here, here!
Great post! Liene, I could not agree with your more about sending files as PDF. Simply, they are just more professional.
I love to send documents via pdf especially if using specialty fonts. If the receiver does not have that font then your document looses it's style but that's not an issue if sent via pdf format.
Great post! I am so glad you've started this blog. I'm sure your posts will help the less experienced planner as well as those who think they know a thing or two.
THANK YOU for bringing that up! It wouldn't have occurred to me, but you are absolutely right! I learn something new from you every day... =)
I absolutely agree with you. Getting the Adobe pdf on my PC was a great investment for my business.
Absolutely true!
so true. I actually do this as well as a habit from my regular job. All contracts and estimates are sent in pdf formats to all my clients. Nice post.
I agree!
PS - The Intuit PDF writer comes with Quickbooks.
I concur and it's so easy these days that I actually believe it is more efficient to send by PDF than word, etc.
I currently use the Primo PDF which is a great little tool but planning to step up to the full Adobe Program shortly as hubby is buying it and our businesses will share the software costs.
Shameful that it has to be mentioned, but glad you said it. I remember when I had to pay for Adobe Acrobat Professional 6 ages ago. Now, there really is no excuse.
I have ceased that unprofessional behavior at this very moment! Thank you Liene!
Liene, sadly this is something that should not have to be said, but you are on point as usual.
It's all about your image and it must be consistent.
So true! You can also use www.pdfonline.com - it's helped me out in a pinch! Thanks for all the great information, I think I've learned more from you than if I actually went to business school!
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