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A colleague was kind enough to share this with me.  While some of these ideas are a bit outrageous, some are really clever.  See if there's one or two you like and how much business you can get from it!

Printing Ideas

1. Make it the size of a size of a dollar bill. Have a copy of a dollar bill printed on the backside and your information printed on the front of the card with a headline that says, "Helping Your Dollar Go Further!" Hey, how about having your picture on the dollar bill (where Washington's picture is located) as well?

2. Make it the size of a bookmark. Your information is printed on the front, with a list of inspirational books and authors' names that may be of interest, printed on the back.

3. Have your business card folded--the top of the fold says something like "I can save you thousands of dollars on your next purchase or sale--open to learn how".

4. Attach an object to your card like an aspirin and the words "no need to take one of these when you work with me".

5. Produce your business card as a label where the back can be peeled off and attached to something as well.

6. Make a magnetic business card.

7. Use wild background colors like lime green or bright yellow.

8. Have your business card die-cut into different shapes like a dollar bill sign ($), or in the shape of a house. Photo of cards

Valuable Information

9. List your niche market: "I specialize in working with First-Time Home Buyers" or "I sell homes fast!" 

10. On the back of the card, list ONE mistake people make when buying or selling a home, and then ask them to call you for a free brochure on the other 9 mistakes.

11. Print the name of your preferred vendors on the back of your card (e.g. your insurance agent, financial planner, CPA, home inspector, attorney, title) and most importantly, ask those vendors to do the same for you.

12. Print ONLY your website address and email address on the FRONT of the card with the rest of your information on the back of the card. This is especially important if you wish to have your clients reach you on-line.

13. Print a testimonial from a client on the back of your business card.

14. Tell something about yourself on the back of the card like your favorite sports team, hobby, family information, or your favorite classic car. The information can be used to start conversations and share something personal about yourself.

15. Print ONLY your picture on one side of the card, with your information on the back side. It could be a glossy photo of your face, a full-length photo of you sitting at your desk, or an action photo of you golfing, standing by your favorite car, skydiving or whatever.

Distribution Methods

16. Send a SUPPLY of business cards to your client AFTER closing. However, send it to their PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT (not their home), as this will give them a chance to distribute your cards to more people.

17. When pre-viewing property, leave your card at the neighbors on both sides of the home.

18. Give to the waiter/waitress when you pay your bill.

19. Give to the toll booth taker

20. Pay the toll of the person behind you and ask the tollbooth operator to give them
your card and that their toll has been paid compliment of YOU!

21. Send it to TV, radio, and newspaper reporters

22. Include your business card when you pay your personal household bills.

23. Give to convenience store clerks.

24. Send to the client on the other side--after all, you have their name and address on the contract.

25. Co-op with a Lender or Builder and send your card with a mailing to their clients.

26. Send your business card to all Chamber of Commerce members.

27. Send your card to all members of the clubs and organizations you belong to (you have the membership lists, right?)

28. Distribute your card to all businesses located in the area around your office. If you are located in an office complex, distribute to every office as well.

29. Your dry cleaner, barber or beauty shop, housekeeper, car wash attendant people you do business with every day.

30. Your doctor, dentist, chiropractor.

31. Give to the tellers at your bank or credit union.

32. Give your card to your childrens' teachers and coaches.

33. Don't forget your family. Send a supply of your cards to them (even to family members who live outside your state)

Information and content in this blog is original to Ilona Matteson.

Ilona Matteson

Beach Realty & Construction

Kitty Hawk Rentals

Phone: (252) 261-6600 x232

Cell: (252) 619-5225

Fax: (252) 261-2200

www.IlonaMatteson.com

REAL ESTATE SALES │ NEW CONSTRUCTION │ REMODELING │VACATION RENTALS │PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

 

   

 
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24 Comments on 33 Ideas for using your business card!

AUG
20
2010
691,660 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Numbers 3, 20 and 21 really caught my eye.  All of the ideas were good but I really liked those 3 thanks a bunch . I am going to try the toll booth thing.

8:48am • #1
110,824 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Charlie - Those 3 I really like...I also like #22.  Never would have thought of that.

8:51am • #3
Attended Rain Camp

Great ideas, Ilona!  Some I have heard of previously, others are totally new!  Thanks!

8:54am • #6
110,824 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Kathy - I thought the same thing so I figured it was worth sharing.  Glad I found this email again this morning.  I need to re-order cards soon...I may try the folding one.

8:55am • #7
1 Featured Post

Ilona - great list and thanks for sharing!  A young Dentist friend just called and asked for some marketing ideas so I will share this with her!  Looks like it would work for any profession!

9:02am • #8
203,958 Points Attended Rain Camp

You have come up with quite a list of possibilities Ilona. Thanks for sharing, I may give a few a shot.

9:13am • #9
Called Shot Master

Great ideas. I have hundreds to give out. i might as well get started.

9:31am • #12
110,824 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Terri - It will work for any industry.  The guy I got it from is in Lending...so I had to change a few of the catch phrases.

Jay - Wish I could take credit for the list...Just happy to share it.

Weber Team - No better time than now!

9:37am • #13
563,639 Points 17 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Ilona - very creative, a whole bunch of things that would never have crossed my mind. I will take some of them and run with it.

9:53am • #14
524,617 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

The business card is a great marketing piece.  Thanks for sharing these tips.

11:25am • #15
603,285 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thx, I really like #11, 20 and #29.  The magnet one works well for my handyman who I always recomment.  I need to distrubute more for him.  Also, you could put these on cars that are complementary to yours (e.g. for a plumber to put on electrician's car);.

12:11pm • #16
110,824 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Mike - Let me know what works!

Richard - Glad to share.

Debbie - another great idea!

12:18pm • #17
332,851 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

The branch manager and the new account representative at our bank have been great for referrals. They meet owners who are considering buying/selling/refinancing as well as new arrivals. They call when they need more cards/brochures and we make sure to bring them some baked goodies occasionally too.

6:43pm • #18
194,129 Points 15 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hire a crop duster and just have it fly over every community you want to get listings in and have thousands of cards dropped from the plane.  Printing is cheap, and this way you could saturate your whole town.  Make sure the cards are coated, just in case it rains though.

In all seriousness, quite a few of these are just as outrageous as any other form of what amounts to spam, and whatever you do, DO NOT mail business cards to news agencies, papers and tv reporters.  Just be good at what you do and findable online, so that when a reporter wants to interview a local real estate agent or a lender, you'll be the one they think of as an expert.  Spamming of any kind will get your name remembered for all the wrong reasons, and yes, there is such a thing as bad PR.

 

8:12pm • #19
299,117 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Fascinating and Comprehensive List  - some Yea and some Nay, to each his/her own.

* Remember to put your @Twitter + Friend Me on Facebook + Connect with me on LinkedIn + Look at the Photos on Flickr + Subscribe to my YouTube Page and whatever other Social Media Sites your are on.

9:09pm • #20
AUG
21
2010
110,824 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

The purpose of this list is to be creative, think outside the box and get the most from a business tool we already have.  I would hate to think that if I sent a well written letter, my business card and a state of the market report to anyone, including a reporter that I would get bad PR.  I'm not sure how sending valuable information is considered spamming.  Maybe if you sent it once a week, sure, that's not what the list says.

As far as sitting back and waiting for people to find you...good luck with that approach.  I know many agents who tried that and are no longer in the business.

Be creative, use common sense and have fun with what you do. 

11:44am • #21
AUG
23
2010
360,208 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Called Shot Master

These are wonderful, Ilona.  I'm always looking for new and intelligent ways to use my business card.  This list will keep me busy!

7:26pm • #22
Called Shot Master

Great ideas.  I like the peel and stick business card to things.

7:37pm • #23
1,215,723 Points 44 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for sharing some creative ideas, Ilona. Many of these can be applied beyond business cards to other areas of our marketing.

9:27pm • #24
AUG
28
2010
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

I like your card giving ideas, I especially liked number 15 and 17. I have a habit of not handing out cards as much as I should. I will work on that aspect of the business.

10:55pm • #25
AUG
31
2010
587,597 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

AR's William Johnson from San Diego uses business card envelopes and I tried it.  Wow, what a punch it gives your card!

10:14pm • #26

What does the graphic say?

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Ilona Matteson

Duck, NC

More about me…

Beach Realty & Construction on the Outer Banks of NC

Address: 1450 Duck Road, Duck, NC, 27949

Office Phone: (252) 261-6600 x 232

Cell Phone: (252) 619-5225

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