I wrote a blog back in December, Business Cards can help you move your career forward.... I received an e-mail today from Dena Stevens who gave me the idea to write more about business cards and what many of us learned from my first blog about this.
There are several different ways to think about the look of your business card.
- Do you want it to be full of color?
- Do you want your picture on it.
- Do you want a lot of information on it or not much at all.
- Large print? Small print?
- Do you want your slogan on it?
- A professional business card? A goofy or eye catching card?
You can get a lot of examples of these types of card in my previous post about business cards. Please take a look at it when you get a chance. And
So, what were some of the hidden secrets that were shared in the comments? Keeping in mind, your business card is going to be one of your cheapest forms of advertising. So, why not do it right and make the best out of it. Think of your card as a traveling billboard. Here are a few things mentioned by you, the members, in the previous comments.
- On the back I put my personal logo with a mini resume and a teaser to go to my website to sign up for my newsletter. I got glossy with the edges rounded. by : Renee Burrows She displays the front and back of her card in my firs post mentioned above.
- I laminate my cards and use them for luggage tags. by : Margaret Rome (when I use to do mortgage conventions, we had a laminating machine and did the same thing. Realtors loved this. I would put my card up against their card and laminate them together.
- I carry four different Harper Team business cards with me. The image and text on the front remains the same except the background color changes the same as our website when you change categories, The info on the back of the card is different. I can easily grab the right card for the person I am talking to. by : The Harper Team
- Here is a great tip(s). One of my favorites and it has worked for me recently. When I'm at a restaurant, I'll leave a business card with the tip. I also try to have some of the gold-colored dollar coins to leave as the tip - a little pile of those on top of the business card makes a visual impression that sticks. If not, tucked into the pocket with the signed charge receipt. by : Tricia Jumonville
- One thing we're about to do (an idea of some of his employees) is get my card printed on label stock. I leave magazines (homeowner or horse-related) with my business card attached at the hairdressers, at the doctor's office, where I get my oil changed - any place that there are people having to sit and wait in need of reading material. With the label stock, it'll be a lot easier to just stick those on, rather than having to staple a business card to them, and it'll be less in the way. another idea by : Tricia Jumonville
- I also post cards in my local grocery stores on their boards. I don't do it very often, but once in a while, I throw a few up there next to the real estate listings. I also stick them in my mailings to those I still mail my payments to. by : Robert D. Ashby
- After many years I still use the "7 seconds presentation". "Could you do me a favor? (I never got a NO for an answer). Here is my business card. I'm a Realtor in this area. Could you pass this card along to a friend or acquaintance that may have interest in buy or sell a home? Are you planning on buying or selling yourself? Ok, thank you then, and have a great [day, afternoon, evening, weekend, whatever]. by : Nilton De Macedo
- My business cards generally feature one of my listings that I am trying to sell.. yes they have all of my contact info but instead of my MUG they have a picture of the listed property with number of rooms, price, sqr ft. etc. I also use these cards are listing tools. by : Sean Schroeder I myself have done this for realtors in the past/ Part of my marketing.
- I also like hanging around book stores and putting cards in real estate books, and I always leave them on tables and desk in buildings I go to. I even leave them in public rest rooms. by : Kenneth Fach
For more tips, check out this site. http://www.designinglife.net/article-creative-ideas-for-business-cards.html by : Linda Elizabeth Alexander
How about a metal business card? Shown on your left. Metal Business Cards
Some helpful sites
FREE Business Card Design Studio -- Here is a site by Vista Print that allows you to design your own cards and possibly receive these for free.
Business Cards Another company that you can design your own cards.
Business Cards ~ Glossy, Raised Print, Express, Magnetic & Folded .. Another helpful site
1 major point and lesson.... a reminder. Always keep your business cards on you. Also, a tip, learn business card etiquette. And as several have mentioned, utilize the back of your card. I do.
UPDATE : 7/24/07 10:30 pm If you have used any of these tips,please give us some feedback on them. That would be very appreciative. THANKS
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Great info Jeff! In one of my GRI classes the instructor said that he "sells" the back of his card to local businesses who then print a coupon or offer for a consumer. The instructor's feeling was that people are less likely to throw away something of value and it cuts down on the cost of printing because they co-op the expense. I thought this was a pretty unique idea.