0816_TOEFL-Test-and-Score-Manual-1997

Marketing Strategies ● 149
Exclusive Interview with Kody
Bateman, Founder, Send Out Cards
The idea for Send Out Cards hit Kody Batemen after his brother died
unexpectedly. Bateman said he always regretted that he didn’t
tell his brother how much he loved him the last time they were
together.
“My original idea was to find a way to act on promptings to act in
kindness and help others to do the same,” said Bateman, in an exclusive
interview. “It kind of evolved into a greeting card concept.”
The cards were a natural extension of Bateman’s first business,
which sold Personal Touch Power Systems, a pre-Internet day planner
with a greeting card holder in the back.
“Once the Internet came out and I saw how it worked, I could see
the possibility of ordering greeting cards over the Internet,” Bateman
explained.
At first, he contracted with printers to produce cards. Then, he hired
software developers to create the programs that let people customize
the cards. Now, everything is handled in house.
Today, Salt Lake City–based Send Out Cards has 90 employees
and about 85,000 independent distributors in the United States,
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. Bateman said
about 200,000 customers have active accounts. He said his top sales
rep earns $150,000 a month. Several reps earn about $40,000 a month.
However, he said most reps work part time and earn $300 to $500 a
month.
“I’ve always viewed this company as a billion-dollar household
name,” said Bateman, who started the company in June 2005. “We
should do $80 to $85 million in sales this year (2011).”
He said his primary secret of success is staying true to the original
objective. “We want to help millions of people act on their promptings,
reach out in kindness to others, while providing a vehicle for financial
freedom with a unique product.”
To reinforce that message, Bateman leads dozens of “Treat ’Em
Right” daylong, personal development seminars every year. Distributors
are welcome to invite guests. “I thoroughly enjoy teaching the sessions,”
said Bateman.
His advice to business owners: “Find a resource for positivity. You
must have a personal development plan. Read positive books, listen to
CDs or tapes.”