[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: GRAPHICS - The Many Ways to Use Animated Digital Greeting Cards at Work and for Personal Use

Wed Sep 11 09:10:36 PDT 2024

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Create your own digital cards

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Webinars for You

NOTE: All webinars begin at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT and are one hour long.

·     September 11: [WEB TOOLS] 3 Tools to Create Your Own Personal Scheduling System

·     September 25: [GRAPHICS] Make Your Own Animated Greeting Cards wiht Music and Voice

·     October 9: [WORD/Google Docs] Mastering Document Templates and Formatting

·     October 23: [GRAPHICS] Use AI Tips and Strategies to Solve Problems and Craft Perfect Text

View Webinars and Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MsCLPbHdxpymMTffYXL6V1xfuTDah94MZWtPMdbDSyFkl1BfeyAw7eLVIglPpQwuiO6jESshU7Wo5hQ_p3B3Q1TYeVbwgjMNuwbhL6Vi9k7py57tjtmlhzL-_TbIblUgEE_vOu8tc6UPBRMv5RVTgo47CX_aoZ2cBXqAJ7g4Loc=&c=8cLzvyjkhnREWwhOw_SDI5CAzjbqzEnA69ip0Af3zyCG7EeBzl-4Cw==&ch=NZE9fA8og0tWn8IIuzGIbG4r63Sv-gu_9c8gPq2d-JeV0Ww5mxTjIA==>

GRAPHICS - The Many Ways to Use Animated Digital Greeting Cards at Work and for Personal Use

Intermediate

Are you looking for a creative way to celebrate your team or say "Happy Birthday" to a friend? Maybe you'd like to recognize a staff milestone? We can't always go to the store to buy a card, much less find one with a message that is personalized for the recipient. And more importantly, you may want something fresh, something that shows that you went that extra mile to make something special.

[A comic-style explosion graphic with a red background and jagged black edges. Inside the explosion, text in white font reads, "SHARON, YOU ARE A TEACHER." Yellow dots and black lines radiate outward from the speech bubble.]

That makes animated digital greeting cards a handy way to celebrate your colleagues and family members. You can create these cool messages with different tools: a blend of images (using Canva), technology treatments (with PowerPoint or Google Slides), and your personal, creative touch. The combination is an engaging way to communicate!

Imagine the ways you might put this tech-image combo to use! You can: 1) foster a positive work environment, 2) train staff and users, 3) communicate messages from management, and 4) support relationships with a personal touch. (See below for clever and specific ideas.)

Besides being a creative and engaging way to communicate, animated digital greetings are an eco-friendly and budget-conscious alternative to traditional paper cards.

·     Eco-Friendly: Digital cards reduce paper waste, making them a sustainable choice for those looking to minimize their environmental impact.

·     Cost-Effective: With no need for printing or postage, they are often more affordable than traditional options, allowing you to send more greetings without breaking the bank.

Learn HOW to Create Your Own Digital Cards!

[Employee of the Month" card featuring a smiling green caterpillar, floral design, and Tech-Talk logo. Below, text on a brown background reads, "Make Your Own Animated Cards with Voiceover and Music.]<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MsCLPbHdxpymMTffYXL6V1xfuTDah94MZWtPMdbDSyFkl1BfeyAw7eLVIglPpQwuiO6jESshU7Wo5hQ_p3B3Q1TYeVbwgjMNuwbhL6Vi9k7py57tjtmlhzL-_TbIblUgEE_vOu8tc6UPBRMv5RVTgo47CX_aoZ2cBXqAJ7g4Loc=&c=8cLzvyjkhnREWwhOw_SDI5CAzjbqzEnA69ip0Af3zyCG7EeBzl-4Cw==&ch=NZE9fA8og0tWn8IIuzGIbG4r63Sv-gu_9c8gPq2d-JeV0Ww5mxTjIA==>

Join us on Wednesday, Sept 25th at 3pm ET/ 12 noon PT

for a Webinar

"Make Your Own Animated Cards with Voiceover and Music"

Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MsCLPbHdxpymMTffYXL6V1xfuTDah94MZWtPMdbDSyFkl1BfeyAw7eLVIglPpQwuiO6jESshU7Wo5hQ_p3B3Q1TYeVbwgjMNuwbhL6Vi9k7py57tjtmlhzL-_TbIblUgEE_vOu8tc6UPBRMv5RVTgo47CX_aoZ2cBXqAJ7g4Loc=&c=8cLzvyjkhnREWwhOw_SDI5CAzjbqzEnA69ip0Af3zyCG7EeBzl-4Cw==&ch=NZE9fA8og0tWn8IIuzGIbG4r63Sv-gu_9c8gPq2d-JeV0Ww5mxTjIA==>

Creative Ways to Use Digital Cards

Here are a few examples of how you can use animated digital greeting cards to your advantage.

1. Enhancing Workplace Culture

Animated digital greeting cards can play a considerable role in fostering a positive work environment. Here are some ways they can be used:

[A welcome card with floral decorations in blue, green, and gold shades. The text reads, "Julie, Welcome To The Team" in a combination of gold and blue fonts. The card has a white background with watercolor-like splashes.]
·     Event Invitations: Whether it's a holiday party, a team-building event, or a virtual happy hour, animated cards can serve as creative invitations that grab attention and increase participation.

·     Welcoming New Employees: A warm, animated welcome card can help new hires feel part of the team from day one. It's a great way to introduce them to the company culture and make their first day special.

·     Employee Recognition: Celebrate milestones like work anniversaries, promotions, or project completions with a personalized animated card. This simple gesture can boost morale and make employees feel valued.

·     Thank You Notes: When a colleague does something noteworthy, show your appreciation with an animated thank-you card. It adds a personal touch that an email might lack.

·     Team Celebrations: For birthdays, holidays, or team achievements, sending a group greeting card is a fun way to bring everyone together, even in remote work settings.

2. Teaching and Learning

Animated digital greeting cards aren't just for celebrations; they can also be educational.

·     Sharing Information: Use animated cards to explain concepts, share tips, or provide instructions in a fun and engaging way. This can be useful in educational settings or when trying to simplify complex ideas.

·     Motivational Messages: Send animated cards with inspirational quotes or messages to motivate yourself or others. They can serve as daily reminders to stay positive and focused.

[Flyer with text "We made our quarterly goal!" and "Pizza Party" in bold letters. Illustration of a dancing pizza slice with arms, legs, and a smiling face. Text at the bottom reads "Friday in the Breakroom.]
3. Communicating With Others

·     Management Messages: Send animated cards with key information about the organization. They could be about quarterly reports or reaching a milestone. Keeping staff informed helps boost morale and keeps everyone on the same page.

·     User and Customer Info: Help your users stay engaged with your organization. An animated digital card with interesting or helpful information will keep them involved.

4. Adding a Personal Touch

Beyond the workplace, animated digital greeting cards can enrich your personal interactions in a variety of ways:

·     Celebrating Special Occasions: Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or graduations can all be made more special with a personalized animated card that reflects the recipient's personality and the significance of the event.

·     Expressing Sympathy or Support: During challenging times, an animated card can convey your condolences or support in a heartfelt, gentle manner, offering comfort to those who need it.

·     Just Because: Sometimes, the best reason to send a card is no reason at all. An unexpected animated card saying "Thinking of You" or "Just Checking In" can brighten someone's day and strengthen your bond.

·     Holiday Cards: Make your holiday greetings more dynamic and memorable with animated cards that capture the festive spirit in a way traditional cards might not.

·     Invitations: Whether it's for a small gathering or a big celebration, animated cards can set the tone for your event and get guests excited about attending.

Whether you're looking to boost workplace morale, connect with clients, or make your loved ones feel special, animated digital greeting cards are a powerful way to add a personal touch to any interaction.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/5b76a283-09a0-40f2-a281-63af0e4b04f3.png]

JOIN US! WEBINAR: September 25th - REGISTER HERE<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MsCLPbHdxpymMTffYXL6V1xfuTDah94MZWtPMdbDSyFkl1BfeyAw7eLVIglPpQwuiO6jESshU7Wo5hQ_p3B3Q1TYeVbwgjMNuwbhL6Vi9k7py57tjtmlhzL-_TbIblUgEE_vOu8tc6UPBRMv5RVTgo47CX_aoZ2cBXqAJ7g4Loc=&c=8cLzvyjkhnREWwhOw_SDI5CAzjbqzEnA69ip0Af3zyCG7EeBzl-4Cw==&ch=NZE9fA8og0tWn8IIuzGIbG4r63Sv-gu_9c8gPq2d-JeV0Ww5mxTjIA==>

[A series of smooth, dark stones arranged in a line, half-submerged in calm, reflective water with a soft, gray background.]

Communication: Talking and Writing

If you want a "yes", don't ask a "no" question

How often do you ask a question where the answer could be either "yes" or "no"?

My guess is it's a lot!

1.  "Do you have any questions?"
2.  "Is this your final decision?"
3.  "Did you finish the report?"
4.  "Are you available tomorrow?"
5.  "Do you need help with that?"

In each of these questions, you're hoping the answer is "yes", right?

But the way you ask makes it easy for the person to choose "no".

What could be a better way? What could you say that gives a greater chance of getting a "yes"?

Make sure the question is open-ended (can't be answered with a word or two). Check out these examples:

1.  "What questions do you have?"
2.  "How did you come to your final decision?"
3.  "What progress have you made on the report?"
4.  "When are you available next?"
5.  "What kind of help do you need with that?"

Don't make it easy for people to give you a "no" unless that's what you want. Shape your questions so that you have a better chance of getting a "yes".

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

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