What I've Learned About Picture Plus

I'm an early adopter. Always have been and, in spite of my advancing years, apparently always will be.

One of the problems an early adopter frequently encounters is "outrunning your headlights." In other words, moving more quickly than your ability to see where your motion is taking you.

Such was the case with me and the new Picture Plus feature from SendOutCards. I loved what I saw and jumped in with both feet without taking the time to fully understand how the system works and how it is intended to be used.

Unlike most SOC users, I send mostly custom cards that I create on my Macintosh in PhotoShop and Fireworks. And virtually all of my cards have custom graphics on both the outside and inside panels. Most importantly, I send large quantities of cards in campaigns, usually 100 or more cards at a shot.

When I heard about PicturePlus I thought it was the perfect tool for me to be able to create custom cards and add them to my catalog quickly and inexpensively.

What I didn't take the time to learn first was that 1) Picture Plus only allows you to add a picture to the front of the card and 2) Picture Plus cards cost one extra point each.

At 31 cents per point, any mailing I send of 33 cards or more would be more cost effectively done by paying the $10 to have SOC's design department add the card to my catalog for me. They are very fast and very helpful - but not available after regular business hours.

So I've outrun my headlights once again. It's doubtful that I'll learn from this experience and slow my Mustang down the next time I come across something that gets me as excited as Picture Plus did.

At least I now know the whole story and understand that Picture Plus is a wonderful application - for people who are sending single cards with special photos on them to important friends, family members, customers and prospects.