Real Estate Blog - The Ultimate WEB 2.0 Business Card

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The Ultimate WEB 2.0 Business Card

Today I was reading Russell Lewis's post about "The Trials and Trepidations" regarding Business Cards. The video "Your Business Card Is Crap" he has posted is very interesting and is actually what sucked me into the "Think and Wonder" tank today. How valuable is your business card these days? What do people do with them? What do you do with yours that you've collected? I have hundreds, maybe thousands, all rubber-banded together, sitting in boxes located under my desk.

Now don't get me wrong, they are very important, and I would never throw yours away, but.....

All the important folks I know or have met in life are either in my phone, in my email contacts, or available via the web. Heck, I have a database right here on AR with over 145,000 and it's so much easier to access them on-line than it would ever be trying to find their business card in one of those dusty buried boxes. It's time to re-evaluate the most commonly used marketing piece in business, your business card. Here's the card I like to use when I DON'T want to be contacted by an acquaintance: lol~

What is my idea of the ultimate business card in a web 2.0 world? Here's my thought: Do you want to drive traffic to your Blogs or sites? Do you want Google to know your name? Do you want to be the ONLY ONE that shows up on pages of the search engines with NO competitors? You can, and here's a unique and creative way. If you must give out a card, getting people to remember your name is the key. If they lose the card or forget your website, or even parts of the conversation you had, hopefully they will never forget your name!

Here's my NEW WEB 2.0 business card and it actually works so don't laugh at it.

So the next time someone asks you where you work or for your business card, just say Google.com. First off, they'll be shocked thinking that you work for Google, (love that shock factor) then they'll most likely ask you if you really do? At this point, get them to know and remember your name, then hand them the above card, and just say "Google Me!" I know this is different than the typical business card exchange, but that's exactly what makes it more impressionable. Try this yourself and test the results. The card will be destined for the same place it ends up normally, but the concept, delivery, and message hopefully won't be forgotten.

Go ahead, Google me!!

Disclaimer: Sorry John Smith and Mary Jones, you may have to find a better way... or change your name. :-)

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 05/04/2009 08:38 PM

Comments (91)

Business Cards in the ActiveRain Channel

business card

Originally posted at: Club Chaos Agents - All Things Hollish, Wacked, and Jacked: The Ultimate WEB 2.0 Business Card

Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: Out Of The Box!
Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: Almost Anything Goes

91 Comments on The Ultimate WEB 2.0 Business Card

MAY

That's pretty nifty, Brad - it works better for "TucsonKent" than Kent Simpson - in my case. LOL

That's awesome! I DO encourage people to Google me (of course, my name is the only one of its kind in the world, so that helps). I also tell them to Google anyone else they're interviewing, because it's helpful to know how well an agent can market himself or herself. (If they can't market themselves, how can they market a home?)

Brad...

Now there's an idea that I really like!

I do pretty good with googling richard smith tennessee, but just richard smith competes with a talented guitar player. I have been trying to work through the best way to display on business cards invites to join up in the social media.

Richard

Brad,

I like the first card ... one of these days you might get to retire? Not any time soon, though! I just did that Google Profile and ordered the Google business card. It seems I'm always recreating and remarketing myself and my business. I like living in the virtual world for that very reason.

Excellent! Cuts out all the bull - makes it plain in this information overloaded society!

Diane

Cute idea but not sure how it's going to help that much with seo except for your name and well if I dont show up high for my name already then Im in trouble, but like the out of the box thinking.

Brad - I can't wait to print out those business carsd for myself!! I know it would work - I google myself now and then - and half my clients find me that way!

I love it! I do this also too, only because I change purses and forget my cards sometimes. It works!!

Hey watch you say about us Jones's! We do okay in the Google me department too :-)

That's hilarious for as many keywords as I place thanks to AR I think my new catch line will be, "if you don't know who I am, you don't own a computer". Hee hee.

Cute, Brad!

Funny and informative. I like the first one but the second one is probably a wee more valuable. My name is tough because it is quite common but add mortgage to it and there I am. Really, though, I'm not sure why I keep all those business cards from others ... perhaps tomorrow they are gone.

I ordered my cards this week, from the FREE cards they were offering on Google. I am going to use them with listing appointments. I like yours it looks much better, brighter more colors. So when I finish these I will get this style.

Luckily I am pretty well set up to do that... I guess I'll have to get some free cards to try that out with... But the big question is do they violate some sort of Real Estate Commission rule? (Broker info, etc.)

What a simple, but effective idea. I am quite certain if I got one of these myself I would Google them.

Luckily Jennifer and I both have pretty unique names. I have googled myself and found that there are 3 Christine McInerney's that show up- myself being one, a very successful Lawyer in NY, and another who operated a huge animal welfare program after hurricane Katrina- sure makes me look quite well rounded..lo.

I think thats a really good point. I was trying to emphasize the google profile as well as your google portfolio. Just google someone is powerful.

Just checked... 7 of the first tewn Google results are me. One is a directory at linked in... that includes me. I guess I'm not in too bad of shape with that.

Brad, What a great idea. I google myself a lot and an agent just told me the other day she googled me.

Brad, I think the idea is Brilliant! And I'm going to copy it if you don't mind---they will find much more then they were looking for :)

That's what I said http://activerain.com/blogsview/1059595/All-you-have-to-do-is-Google-Me

Brad - What should I change my name to?

Mary Smith

This is close to the top of the list of my favorite AR ideas. Thanks ... again! I'll be ordering mine tomorrow!

Hey Brad, Thanks so much for the mention and I have to tell you that my goal (someday) is to have your card! I like the idea of a "Think and Wonder Tank" You Rock and have a great rest of the week!

Hi Brad - I do come up on Google with a little more than my name, but with just my name there is a talented artist and a well-known scientist with my name, and a few Realtors in other areas of the country with whom I have to share the Google juice. With Susan Neal Fair Oaks, I'm it!

Brad,

Thanks for the post. Thinking outside of the box and achieving the desired result is the goal! Thanks for sharing.

Brad, did you hear me talking to my customers. I am just putting a radio ad, which will tell the listners that if you are unable to write down my number, just google search me.

I will make that business card. Thanks :)-

I haven't googled myself in a while. I am going there now.

I googled myself and came up as a man!

I do ask people to google me, since I have a not so common name it's easy to find me online. But baby, I pass out cards all the time. I just had my car "stickered up" with my company, name & phone number. And since, I haven't stopped at a fast food resturant drive in (or other places)and not been asked for my card.

And I keep all the cards ever given to me. They are all in various notebooks and organized. I take two cards, one to keep and one to pass on. And on those days I have little to do - I call those people! How are you? Your business? Etc....

But good point: I love the idea!

Kent - that's cool, then run with it.

Mary - great idea having them google others too, but only if you are really active all over the web, which I know you are. Good call. :-)

Richard - I've been sharing this idea with members for months now, just never had the time to post about it. Russell's post inspired me and reminded me how this really does work and is much cheaper and more effective than the video he shared in his post. We are both still laughing about that one.

Richard Smith - just keep posting your great content and you'll pass him up in no time at all.

Jan - great to hear from you, hope you are doing well. The cards in this post are ones I made a long time ago using Microsoft Publisher, and then I just use standard Office Depot card stock. Cheap, easy, and effective, just the way I like it. :-))

Diane - short, sweet, and to the point. Your comment says it all. Thanks.

Heather - it's not always about SEO, people use google regardless of ALL our marketing efforts whether we like it or not, this is just an idea to try and capitalize on a tool that's already out there and that won't soon be going away. It's definitely "Out Of The Box!"

Steve - just use a blank word or publisher template, it only takes a couple minutes. I still carry regular cards too, but they just don't seem to have the same impact as the two in this post. lol~

Monique - do you think I should start carrying a purse too? Sounds like a good excuse to me. haha!!

Cindy Jones - you know I was kidding, in fact I just googled your name and guess what, you came up #1. Congrats, now go get some "Google Me" cards made and drive even more traffic to your site. You're awesome!

OK Brad... I Googled your name and WoW... Can Debra sing...

http://bradandersohnmusic.blogspot.com/

Awesome.

That is perhaps the coolest and most memorable business card I have or will ever see. Fantastic idea.

Interesting take on an age-old practice. I have my Great Grandmother's purse and she had a calling card. I wonder what she would think of this :-)

Brad..its so funny..i just did that today..and there you go..you blogged it.. tweet beat me ..i say it all the time google me ..hannah williams..HelpfulHannah it works better.....thank you

HelpfulHannah your friend in Philadelphia

Hi Brad -- Incredible idea. Unfortunately, I'm in the last slot on page 1, so I guess I have some work to do. LOL

I'll have to do "Gail Robinson Black Rock" Google Me. It makes the point that I've got Google juice. Great idea! Thanks.

Love it Brad! what a great idea. Even I can manage producing your version of a "Google me" card. I'm gonna try it.

I can mostly get away with this. Googling Christine Donovan, I do come up on page one, but there's a singer unless I put in something like California, then 6 out of 10 are mine.

LOL at your card =P And I just enter the information from people's business cards into Outlook, and place it in one of the categories I've created. I hate clutter, so all cards go in the garbage.

Hi Brad! Great idea and always thinking outside the box for the desired results... Google is powerful and Brad Andershon is a powerhouse! I really like that idea!

MAY

The "Google Me" would be the ultimate card, clean and simple. Google -ing some one would come up all their info. Now if their is a way for my facebook page not to be #2, Linkedin is #1 and finally a link to my webpage #3.

Thanks Brad, I googled myself and was pleased to see I was #1 in the search. My office requires company information be included on our business cards but I'm thinking I could have the "google me" graphic on the back of the card.

Great Post!... I will use it in our sales meeting today...

This is a good idea but what happens when you are not the only one in Google?

Now that is a cool idea! How simple!!!

Brad,

May I just pass out YOUR Google-Me card and tell folks you're my personal secretary?

Brad, I love your google me cards. We could save a bundle by ordering in bulk. How about "google me" on one side and the ActiveRain on the other. I am running out of my AR cards and want more.

Brad -and it aint' just John and Mary Smith that have that problem. I have an Angry Samoan (punk rock group), a Stanford professor, a major league baseball player and a Knicks trainer that I have to contend with.

Interesting. Amazing how common my name is ...I am still there behind a same named realty company in Georgia and the basketball coach at Cleveland State. Where the heck is Cleveland state?

While business cards seem to be a necessary evil, I like to tell people who want mine that I'm trying to be GREEN, so.... "Give me your email address and I'll send it to you. That way you'll have all my information and you won't have to type it into your email program, your contact lists, etc."

This approach seems to be working.

It's time for me to change my card because my picture is 4 years old, and I don't have Twitter on it. But yours really speaks volumes in few words. Whether I do another traditional card, this card is in the works.

Great Idea! I think I will be trying it!

The card is an awesome idea! I'll be printing them the minute i am off the compter.

I used the idea last year when I was competing with a listing. Because I have a unique name I am about the 1st 2 pages. Anyway, I mentioned to the seller to goole me to see how many times I and my listings turned up. She already had and then said, I couldn't find the other agent!

Listed and closed in 3 months. That listing has generated 2 other closings, 2 more listings and a new build in the neighborhood. 7 transactions in less than 1 year in one neighborhood.

So yep, Google Me!

Great idea, Brad - thanks! Unfortunately, there are some fairly active "other" people with my name who also come up on page one. Maybe my activity here on AR will help put me over the top.

LOL. I told a client that the other day. We were joking around and they said "How do I know that you are really a Real Estate Agent and not some wacko"

I stuttered for a second, tried to remember the state website to look up agents and just said Heck..just google me. You'll see what I'm all about. :)

Shannon - that's funny, you should make that your catch phrase. lol
Pat - thanks, I try.
Novation Mtg - I keep mine too, one day I'll find a use for them...I think...
Missy - you can crank em out in word or publisher. BTW - How's Mike doing? Any leads or opps?
Lane - no violation that I'm aware of, these could be in addition to the regulars, not replacing them.
Christine - At least the others are not something that shames your name.
Shane - google gets 94,000,000 searches a day, why not have your name be in there with the rest.
Jean - getting folks to google you can be powerful as long as you have the content out there.
Carole - that is exactly what I have found. Once googled, there's no hiding your secrets. lol~
Mike - great minds think alike. Great post, looks like Google must have caught on to my idea...
Mary - I was being silly, don't change your name, just plaster yourself everywhere on the web. :-)
Dee - WOW, thanks. So if it's close to the top, now I'm curious.. What is the Top Idea???
Russell - AR IS a "Think and Wonder" tank full of stuff to consume ones mind for a lifetime. haha
Susan - just keep blogging and you'll pass her up as long as she's not active.
William - sometimes I get a bit too far out of the box, but this one I just had to share.
Rafeeq - great idea for the radio station, especially for those driving and can't write it down.
Russ - googling yourself sounds worse than it really is. LOL~ It's good to see what comes up.
Shannon - we need to fix that right away!!! That's just wrong.
Dena - you sure are organized with your bus cards, I'm very impressed.

I don't know, Brad, even the John Smith's and Mary Jone's may have a chance with this approach, too. I just googled my name as 'roger johnson, realtor' and still had the top 3 spots. I also googled 'roger johnson, century 21' and held ALL the spots. So with a little tweaking, even the common names work, too.

Brad,

I LOVE the idea!!! Two things...

1.) Here in California, a law was passed that REQUIRES agents to have their DRE license number and employing broker info on any "First Point of Contact" to the consumer (most notably business cards).

2.) Is there any kind of Trademark infringement with your design?? There's a layout that the Creative Director from Google has made available for public use that might be safer in that regard.

Below is a version I think satisfies both items above. Since our wholesale print pricing is the same whether 1-sided or 2-sided, why not use a real estate image on the back?? I think I might come up with a few more ideas...and put together a simple order form.

In the meantime, if we could keep the layout basic like this...I'm kinda thinking I'd be willing to do these for ActiveRain members (including layout) for $59.00/1,000 (plus shipping). However, we wouldn't be able to sway from the basic template at that price. In other words, if someone wanted their photo, or company logo or whatever, we'd likely have to charge extra for that.

They'd be printed on thick 14-pt. cardstock, in full color on both sides, and finished with an extreme gloss UV coating.

Whaddya think?

Dave

Brad...simply a great idea. A fun card and I think grabs people's attention. I've got to get some printed. Thanks for all you do here in AR.

Dave - the card looks great, and since I'm letting you SPAM my Blog post here, I think you should give it to AR members for FREE.

Let the next 100 members who would consider it have 100 FREE cards, then when they see that they like them and they work, they can consider ordering more if they're interested.

They sure do look good on the screen, so Whaddya Think? :-)

Superfantastic Idea! Much better than the ego photo or the 20 year old vanity photos. I posted a while back about the power of Google on my blog (http://activerain.com/blogsview/726761/How-I-got-the-first-ten-Google-hits-on-page-1-about-me-without-paying-anyone) and someone posted a comment that their Realtor was Bob Smith so it wouldn't work. Low an behold, within 35 minutes Bob Smith Boise Realtor was indexed by Google and it linked back to Active Rain on my blog!

Bob Smith Googled

Brad,

How did you do that? That's a superb idea. I don't know about anyone else but my next card is going to be something like yours up there. Soon.

Are you concerned about the lack of control here? What happens if some porn star or serial killer named Brad Andersohn starts topping all of the Google ranks for that term? I know it's a long shot, but I'm guessing there are a lot of Michael Jacksons and Scott Petersons who thought the same thing.

Casey - the only thing lack of control here is your imagination! Dude, you need to disconnect!

Love this idea! I thought I outperformed on the Internet all Svetlana Stolyarovas in the world - however, one lady from Sweden University shares the first page with me LOL.

Brad,

I like the idea....about the FREE cards (kinda).

I'm not overly sure that my post should have been considered entirely SPAM (it didn't start out as a selling proposition when I started my response, I swear!). I simpy wanted to remind the thousands of your California members of the new laws regarding license numbers being REQUIRED on their business cards (other states too possibly, especially regarding the employing broker's name)....or the fact that other versions could potentially get them all in trouble for possible trademark infringements. I truly meant for all of that information to simply be helpful and informative.

I also kinda thought it incumbent upon me to show them an idea of what the valid, legal (and if I do say so myself) attractive version of a real estate related "Google Me" card might look like. Trying to describe it would have taken longer than simply posting a pic. So, I created...and posted one with my comment.

Where I went astray in my initial comment was when I lost sight of the fact that promoting one's business on another person's blog is against the guidelines. Yikes!! My bad!

There was no mal-intent however...and I just thought I'd let people know WHERE they could get some if they wanted, because your initial post just kinda left them hanging with a GREAT idea...and nowhere to go!!

So I mindlessly broke the rules (sorry for that, by the way). But the pricing I came up with is 40% less than the going rate for that quality of card. I thought it was a fair price to offer ALL ActiveRain members (not just a select few) for an idea which is very innovative and makes terrific "Web 2.0" sense.

The proposition now is that I do 10,000 business cards for free, which honestly is a little steep. To print high-quality business cards in quantities of 100 costs almost as much as printing 500-1,000 due to the printer's setup costs. Multiply that by 100 and it gets a bit expensive.

So...if you don't mind me putting the monkey back onto your shoulders, I have a proposition for ya. I'll consider the offer you're suggesting if you comp a free ad spot somewhere on your site for two months promoting the GoogleMe cards and FlyersToYou. It's going to cost me more to do it that way versus simply buying a spot on your site, but it would also give me an opportunity to meet and work personally with 100 agents, which I find very appealing. I might also want to put our contact information in very small lettering at the bottom of the back of the cards to help generate additional business.

Maybe the 100-agent offer should go to Featured Blog posters as an incentive to get everyone writing and contributing??

Whaddya think??

Dave

P.S. If you'd rather, I can easily go in and edit my post above to remove the pricing info (the spam part). Let me know what you want me to do, ok??

Brad, I just filled out my Google profile.

Great ideas - I am thinking about trying it.

I love the idea, the concept, the card, AND the negotiations taking place. Let's do this thing!!!!

Brad- Actually I like the first biz card and I want some of those!

The Google me card is priceless. I tell people when I meet them all the time; just google me.

We have sign riders, google this address.

We put on all our mailers and brochures- google us.

It is the best marketing ever!

Dave from Flyerstoyou also makes some awesome bookmarks that you put your blog address on to pass along your blog to everyone you meet. They have a nice high end look and feel which is a great way to gain new readers. Katerina

Dave - I think we can negotiate. You help our members, and I'll try and help you. Might be best to do over the phone at this point, just click on my name below, my number's on my profile page. I have a presentation in the morning for some brokers in Alameda, but should be back in the office by the afternoon. Let's see what we can put together. Thanks.

BTW - If I really felt your comment wasn't contributing to this thread and it was truly just a solicitation and spam, it wouldn't still be there, just so you know. :-)

Brad,

Tomorrow afternoon it is!! It'll be great to meet you! By the way, I kinda knew it wouldn't be there if it was totally over the line. Still, please accept my apology for the momentary brain fart <---can I say that?

Katerina,

Awww....thank you for that!! I'd post a picture of one...but I'm a bit nervous now. LOLOL!!! But thank you so very much for those kind words!! Hey, didja sell that big listing of yours yet??

Dave

MAY

I tell people to google me all the time.

Roland - she sings like an angel, maybe you can come see us when we come to YOUR town. :-)
Mark - thanks, I get a great response when I hand these out. Business should be fun at times too.
Christianne - A calling Card? I wonder what she would think?
Helpful Hannah - that's a real easy one to remember, great branding.
Chris - just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. You can do it, give it time and effort, you'll move up.
Gail - it also helps prevent your competitors from showing up when they search you in the engines.
Lora - easy to do. I used word and publisher, they already have templates, the bus card stock is available at any stationary store.
Christine - you rock! Maybe you should start singing too?? LOL~ Keep on Blogging, it works.
Lisa - thanks for being honest, I think a lot of people do the same thing.
Dona - that was sweet of you, just trying to get people to look at the options in a fast paced and changing world.
Eva - that is exactly the point. When someone googles you, they have many options to find and access you. And ONLY you.
Thomas - I have multiple bus cards, including my AR card. It just depends on where I'm at and the situation. The key is to not only be #1 on google, but to be on all 10 pages of google when they search your name. Many times I don't even give the card, I just say google.com.
Tony - let me know how the group responds in your meeting. I'd love to hear the results. :-)
Don - not sure what happens, but if you're on Facebook, AR, twitter, friendfeed, naymz, LinkedIn etc. You'll show up more than the other.
Linda - thanks, glad you liked it.
Irene - I kinda am your personal secretary, you know I'm always here for ya. Use my card, just put your name there.

Margaret - I'm working with Dave to see what we can work out as a deal for members. Stay parked and on standby... :-)
Mike - you better get posting then, time and content will move you up and them down. Get on the social networks that drive Google juice so your name is above all the others.
Gary - Cleveland State? Are you kidding me? You should post about it, maybe that would move you to the top on that one. :-)
Craig - nice approach and if it's working, no need to change. You have an easy name to remember, in fact I have googled you before.
Joe - my picture is only a year old and I need to change it already. I don't use photos on my card, but I know many do.
Annie - good luck with that, let me know how it goes.
Angela - that is so awesome, it really does work. I just googled your name and you aren't kidding!! WOW!
Mike - just keep Blogging and join a few of the other "SEO" power networks, you'll be on top in no time at all.
Stephanie - the same thing happened to me, and when I repeated my Blog address 3 times, I finally just said "Google Me!" it worked.
Roger - my comment about smith and jones was somewhat in gest, it's all about the "Search Term" that gets the results.
Rebecca - it is a fun card and great conversation piece. They'll remember you for sure. I have a lot of fun with these.
Esko - I used MS Word and MS Publisher Bus Card templates. Bought some Bus Card stock and viola!! Easy and cheap.
Svetlana - she's a teacher, you're in Real Estate.... no competition. :-))
Deborah - the google profile is another way to get these, mine was just done at home on my computer as explained above. Enjoy.
Mike - what's there to think about, try it and just see what happens. The worst that can happen is nothing. lol~
Heather - I see you read the comments, we're doing it, so like Margaret, hang in there and stay parked and on standby...
Katerina - I have a blast handing out that first card, always gets a laugh and people seem to remember the experience more. Thanks for pointing out and endorsing Dave's stuff too, we'll be talking more later this week. Seems like a great guy. Thanks. Tell Nestor I said hi and I hope you are both doing well.
Dawn - as you should. The more you do on the web and AR, the more they'll find when they search you. Nice!

Thanks for the morning laugh. I am all over the first page of google. I think the Google Me strategy will work.

Brad, I think I read a post, perhaps Lola Audu, who had a sign rider that said simply "Google me". I love it!

Hi Brad...Oh boy, I Googled my name and it filled up 14 pages and part of the 15th. I can't imagine how many you fill.

I sure need to get one of those Goole Me cards.

Kate

Brad--I can't add anything that anyone else hasn't said but, I have to say, I LOVE IT! EXCELLENT idea and I hope you don't mind me snagging it!?

MAY

Diane - a sign rider, what an awesome idea.

Kate - no worries about the competition with your name, that's for sure.

Debe - it's yours for the taking!! :-) PS. Can you call me tomorrow so we can finalize those details? I'm around in the afternoon.

Brad, I love the idea thank you. Just what I needed to get motivated today!

I'll do! Now, I spent WAY too long trying to find your new card! The only thing that I found had the Google search box with a large Google and small name--yours is much more appealing! Any pointers?!

Talk to you tomorrow!

MAY

Amy - thanks, you'll get even more motivated when folks google you and then buy or sell a home using you as their agent! :-O

Debe - I just used the MS Publisher Bus Card Template and MS Word to create these cards, but you should check out my friend David Daniels, (comment above #60), let him know we are buds and see what he can do to hook you up. I spoke to him yesterday on the phone and he had some really great ideas on how to help out AR members with cards.

Let's try and connect today regarding our conversation this week, I was hoping we could move forward with that today. YEAH!! :-)

HI Brad,

THat is clever. I do list a few core sites and then I do write and tell people, "Google me". It does work.

MAY

Rebecca - I agree. I have been using this method now for months, and it does work. I think google must have caught on to my idea. Missy just wrote a post last week about how to get your free "Google Me" cards from google if you're one of the first 10,000. I love how google really has changed the way we do business nowadays. :-))

MAY

Hi Brad, I LOVE this idea! Next time I have to buy cards, I'm definitely doing this!! That's certainly a way to stand out above others, drive traffic to your website and obtain more business.

Have a great day,

Anne Rains