[Addendum: SendOutCards is now well and truly open in Australia and has put it's first testing year behind it.

My name is Martin Russell. I have been with SendOutCards since shortly after they opened in Australia in 2006, and I was the first here to rise to become Manager and then Senior Manager.

If you are already with someone in SendOutCards, congratulations! Make the most of this service, and of the income potential too.

Otherwise, call me on 08-8121 5981 / Skype: martinwrussell or Email Martin@wordofmouthmagic.com so you can find out if my
support would help you get the most from being in SendOutCards.]

There is no SendOutCards Australia office as yet [Oh, yes there is now!], but the word is that instead of mailing from head office in the US, SOC will start printing and posting ‘across the pond’ in the very near future. I’ve been using SOC for almost 2 years now via international mailing from the US.

They were doing tests with a few different printers in Oz throughout 2007, and it seems like they might have finally settled on one that is suitable.

For people outside Australia this will mark a big step in the internationalization of SOC.

For people within Australia this will lower the postage costs, add extra mailing options, and shorten delivery times too.

If you are doing business follow-up, networking or building connections internationally this will be a big advantage.

One of the best things for me has been easily sending cards, postcards, and thankyou gifts inside the US and Canada. I get all the convenience of the web-to-print technology, and it’s quicker and cheaper too, so it has added a new level to my online networking.

Now anyone in the world will be able to network into Australia just as easily, and this will be a model for moves into other countries in the future.

Also, if you have a local business in Australia the arrival of SOC will halve their postage costs.

Even more importantly the local Australian postcard or greeting card will arrive much quicker than the current 8-13 days I’m getting with most of my mailings.

SOC will presumably use the main SendOutCards.com website so payments will be in US dollars, and all their videos and training materials will still have American accents. They have one senior Australian voice in their company, Paul Gerardis, and hopefully Paul will help them change these eventually.

The biggest problem for me will be that I lose the WOW! factor of people who notice the US stamp and postmark, and wonder who is sending them cards from the US. (Obviously I’m taking the family on an overseas holiday and I just got it into my head to send them a card. What else could it be?)

I’ve enjoyed using SOC for Christmas and birthdays for my family scattered around the globe, as well as for networking and routine business follow-up.

Having SOC mailing out locally will be a great extra booster.

G’day SendOutCards. Australia says ‘Welcome!’

[January 2010 Update - In February 2010 the CEO Kody Bateman will be coming to Australia for a week long tour.

There will be meetings in these areas for SendOutCards: Brisbane, Queensland / Perth, WA / Melbourne, Victoria.

In addition there will be one full day Treat 'Em Right event for SendOutCards. Sydney, NSW is the lucky city this time around.

Adelaide (SA), Darwin (NT), Canberra (ACT) and Hobart (Tasmania) miss out on any SendOutCards events this time around. Perhaps Auckland NZ next time too. Ah well.

International visitors are welcome to fly here for our lovely summer weather

For more details you can contact me Martin@wordofmouthmagic.com]

- Martin Russell

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