SendOutCards Legacy

When you think about Direct Mail and sending cards, there is no way to not think about SendOutCards and what they have accomplished in building a great Network Marketing company. SendOutCards, which is a well-built company, has good products has been around for 6+ years now.  Personal friends have joined this company and at one point, I almost did too.  Due to other offers presenting themselves, I politely declined.  However, I always told myself having a product like this for small businesses and service oriented professionals in the field would be a successful venture. SOC has captured a significant market, and I can see why Lifeshare International sees that there is an abundance of possibilities in a multi-billion dollar industry.

There has been very little competition, if any at all; in the MLM industry when it comes to this product line and SendOutCards has experienced significant growth within the MLM industry with their product line. When you have no competition, sometimes companies can relax and rest on their accomplishments.  The United States was built on the fact that we could all compete and competition is the life blood of America and the world in business. I believe you will see that LifeShare wants to expand within the market and competition is about to start in a major way. Since a real competitor who has proved concept in 2010, the free enterprise market and healthy competition is set for 2011. LifeShare International is positioned to evolve into a company with fast momentum and these differences show how the two companies compared with one another.

LifeShare International’s official launch is Q2 2011.

If you haven’t heard of Lifeshare International, it’s probably for good reason. They are a new company launching in the second quarter of 2011 and LifeShare has a unique twist making it more than just a greeting card, which will bring much needed competition to the network marketing community. Though SendOutCards has a large distributor base and multiple years in business, LifeShare has produced their own web-to-print technology with excellent functionality and flexibility, much increased quality, and new products in which SendOutCards does not produce.  After further research into the company, I wanted to give people a good reason to compare both companies side-by-side and choose for themselves which one will suit them best.

LifeShare & SendOutCards:  Technology Comparison

After looking at both technologies I see that SendOutCards and Lifeshare International have very good competing technologies when comes to making their card products. But one thing I see that SendOutCards doesn’t have the ability to create a card and place on your Facebook wall for friends and family to see instantly making a viral effect for your business. Additionally, SendOutCards’ policy and procedures restricts distributors from placing their replicated web address in links on Facebook altogether.  Facebook has become such a big part of society today, and with Faccebook being the second most trafficked site in the world, this technology is essential for any company to provide free marketing tools for the representatives’ advantage.

Also after interviewing Michael Yanke the Co-Founder and CEO of the LifeShare, he has told me that they have additional technology in development that will revolutionize replicated website for Associates coming prior to the Q2 2011 launch. I will be bringing you that interview in a later post to hear the excitement of the Lifeshare International Team.

Quality is Essential for Memories

After comparing both cards you can definitely see a difference in the quality of both products. I would equate SendOutCards to a regular card you by at Walgreens. It’s basically a thinner card that will bend easy, and has a base quality look and feel, as if they came in a pack of 25. Due to a lack of competition, this is not something they have had to address in the past. LifeShare on the other hand was very impressive. It’s a very thick card stock that with a look and feel that presents itself very impressive. I would compare it to a professional photo that has been made into a card with a fold that comes from a thick card stock. It pop’s off the card at you, and really would love to send one to my family in the future.  From what I understand, LifeShare utilizes top-of-the-line HP Indigo digital presses that are ink based, providing true and vibrant colors in every print.

LifeShare & SendOutCards:  Product Catalog Comparison.

When searching through both product catalogs I see that both make cards with SOC specializing in greeting cards and LifeShare in PhotoCards.  Additionally, I see that Lifeshare International has the ability to make a PhotoBook, whereas SOC has a number of gifts and trinkets. I didn’t find a PhotoBook option within the SendOutCards products. I actually tried creating a PhotoBook at LifeShare, and had so many things I could design, build and create with this product. I was thinking of my brother, who is going to play freshman football, and I could take pictures of the team in action and special plays during that season, then create a book about the experience or season.  By sharing this book with parents, I just started a viral effect of all those parents who want the product, a custom book for their team. Now for the best part, I make $ 11.00 dollars on each one I sell.

So, each team has about 50 kids.  We then make certain to get a picture each player and put them in this book you make.

50 books sold x $11 retail earnings = $550.00 in retail commissions!

If one player gets it, odds are they all are going to want one.  And the best part, the book if affordable! What else could you do with a product like that; you have endless possibilities.  I think LifeShare International has a very good proposition on this one over SendOutCards.

LifeShare & SendOutCards:  Price Comparison.

Let’s look at SendOutCards first and see what their pricing is. There are three different packages that you can choose from.  I’m just going to show you the exact differences, not talk about my opinion at all for this point. The differences are self-explanatory.

1. SOC Wholesale Premium Package: $398.00 (non-distributor, wholesale customer)

Includes: System License, PicturePlus 2.0™, Treat ‘em Right Seminar Ticket, 200 points (good for 60 days), Contact Manager, ability to send card campaigns, personalized handwriting font, $0.31 points (with autoship)

2. Entrepreneur Package:  $457.00

This options contains everything in the Wholesale Premium Package, however it includes the distributor options for another $59.00.

Includes: Distributor Kit, License to share greeting cards and gift business with others, five Treat ‘em Right Seminar tickets, retail profits, bonuses and commissions, business opportunity website, online retail storefront, unlimited Opportunity DVDs, training website (The Daily 8), Business Office support, distributor support

Also you need to add one of these two auto orders on top of that. $31.00 dollar auto order for 100 points a month, or $15.50 auto order for 50 points a month.

3. Preferred Package:  $198.00

This is a retail package, non-distributor.

Includes: System License, PicturePlus 2.0™, Contact Manager, ability to send card campaigns, $0.49 points, 100 points (good for 60 days)

Also you need to add one of these two auto orders on top of that. $49.00 dollar auto order for 100 points a month, or $24.50 auto order for 50 points a month.

4. Retail Package Plus: $99.00

Includes: Basic PicturePlus™, Contact Manager, ability to send card campaigns, $0.49 points, Personalized handwriting font $49

Also you need to add $ 24.50 auto order for 50 points a month.

4. SOC Box Option

This is another retail option, so if you want a physical distributor kit, and want to add Picture Plus to your account it will cost you at minimum another $49.00.

Now, in comparison, let’s look at the new company LifeShare International.

1. LifeShare Associate:  $99.88

Associate Starter Package includes Associate Business Kit, 100 LifeShare credits (product value $44), 1 Year Replicated Web Site, Back Office Web Access, Unlimited Photo Storage.  Additionally, all functions and features of the system are included in this price.  Product is discounted 45% compared to retail pricing.

AutoOrder is optional at $44/month for 100 credits.

2. LifeShare Member Enrollment:  $55.00

This option is for enrollment into LifeShare without a purchase of product/credits to be used in the LifeShare Studio. As a Member of LifeShare you will receive the Business Kit, 1 year use of a personalized replicated website and back office system. To be considered Active in the Compensation Plan, $44 of Personal Volume/Purchase is required.

This option will allow you to start an auto order of $ 44.00 dollars which will enable commissions to be paid by compensation plan.

3. Retail Customer:

If you choose not to be an Associate, you can still purchase the products as a retail customer. There are several options where you can just use the product when you want and pay for what you use, like snap fish and shutterfly with a minimum purchase of $12.

You’ll notice that LifeShare doesn’t charge you for picture/photo packages. The functionality is all inclusive for Associates and customers.  I think you can see at this point there are some big differences to join with LifeShare, with pricing being a major difference between the two companies.  Also if you notice that you get all there technology with any package you choose. At SendOutCards, you have to purchase the most expensive and highest package to get all of the tools. I think this alone will show you that Lifeshare International has a more inviting entry point for the masses, and you get more for less.

With both companies being in Network Marketing, we must analyze the compensation plans.  Due to the detail of both plans, I am developing another article and video to explain those differences.  LifeShare has a completely different plan than SOC and I’m excited about the binary comp plan they have developed.

I believe that LifeShare International has been positioned not only to compete, but excel in greatness with their offerings. Please know that I believe that SendOutCards is a good company and I don’t want this to be taken as if I’m saying they are anything different. I simply feel that the opportunity is much greater with a higher quality product and a much lower barrier of entry. If you are in SendOutCards and you want to know more, I would be happy to speak with you. I live in Mesa, Arizona right down the street from the company, and have a close relationship with Michael Yanke and the Master distributor of the company, which is well known in the industry for 20 years now.

P.S. Look forward to the compensation plan comparison video coming soon. If you would like to see more Lifeshare International don’t hesitate to call me.