Great article .  The back of my cards will be blank NO MORE

Darcy

That's a good idea.  I intentionally left them blank so I could, when I was out and about - say at a restaurant, could write a personal THANK YOU on the back, with a short little message (that is if my service was good). 

That gives me a good example of a standard message - and a little room to put my own personal touch!

I have rubber stamps made the size of the back of a card. I use them with various messages to stamp the back, also use them on flyers etc. I use red ink, makes it stand out.

I have a double sided card.  The front is black.  I have my slogan, email address, website and fax number on the back in black but there is a white strip top and bottom big enough to write on.  It works well for me.  I actually have my website on the front and the back but the other information is only on the back.  The two sided card are more expensive but i think worth the price.

My business card is mostly blank at the back. Like someone else here mentioned I write "Thank you!" on the back of my cards before handing them out. Sometimes I'll write a little something more if the situation warrants it. I've had people comment that it was nice to see something hand-written on the card.

Thanks for the post and the great idea.

Jerry

Great idea! There have been some great comments to this post too. I like to personalize my cards and handwrite information on it for the person as well, it seems to make them remember you more. Thanks again!

I have the toll free number of Century 21 Mortgage on the back of my business cards. Buyers can call this number and get pre-approved in about 20 minutes. So, there are no excuses.

Michael Thompson, MBA, Realtor
Century 21 Anderson Properties
http://www.MichaelThompsonProperties.com/

These are some really good ideas for the back of business cards.  I really like the personal touch with hand written notes.

I think it's a great idea to have some type of message on the back of your business card, even if it says, "Turn Me Over" or "Pick Me Up" for times when it might wind up upside down somewhere... Couriosity always wins people over!

Think about it!

All the best,

Gabe

That's funny Gabriel, I like that "Pick me up" It may just work!

Oops, this was about 4 hours too late-----I just ordered business cards this morning and guess what?  They'll have blank backs.  Maybe I can change them on Monday.  Thanks for the tip.

Endea, I have a listing on the back of each of my business card with the address, photo and bullets about the property.

I love business card marketing ideas.   Personally, I use bookmark sized business cards and get a lot of positive attention from them.  I also have regular sized cards, which are more appropriate if someone is going to put it in an organizer, but I really like standing out from the masses with the bookmarks.

This is a great idea.  Thank you for the great post.  Have a great weekend!

I am glad to see mor epeople are realizing that blank space equals wasted space.  I have had the back of my cards printed for about 1 year now and it works great.

If you're going to print something on the back, why not make it an offer for free information and a website link. Once there, visitors would have to give you their contact information to gain access to the free information. Presto, you've got their permission to open a dialog with them and a chance to build a relationship over time.

I don't have anything on the back, but I regularly use them to write a short note.  jim's idea of using rubber stamps is a great one.  You could also print up clear labels on the printer and add them to the back of your existing cards!

Some great ideas on what to do....mine are blank but I will often write down someone elses contact info onto the back such as a mortgage broker, lawyer etc since I often only carry one of someone elses cards.  Gives an excuse to give away a card and you know that they will be looking at it...

The front of my card has the company name, logo, slogan, and what we do.  The back has my personal contact information along with company address and website.  There is still plenty of white space for notes to be made on the back...

Hey Endea,

We agree. We have the front with a nice gloss and the back without, that way we are able to right a note around the message that is printed on the back. Thanks and have a great night.

Timely post. I've switched to a new company and need to order business cards. If I can't get them with anything on the back from the company printer I'll send them offo to another printer.

what we did is print the back of our cards with a shaded logo and url. That way, we can still write on them, if we need to, but they aren't blank.

Nope...mine have a testimonial on them from one of my clients....great idea in my opinion!

I have used that on the back of my cards since 2002.  You write it differently than  I have but the meaning is the same.

I have had a message on the back of my business care for 8 years!  it highlights that I specialize in the representation of buyers only!  I recommend this to everyone -- why waste the back of the card?

My realtor card is on one side, my auction business card on the other.  I use an internet service that does both sides, iuv coated for price I use pay for one sided locally.  It pays to search!

Endea.... I totally agree....  I have always had something on the back of my card since 1994. But it was always something to do with a rate table or an items needed checklist. This was up until 2002, when I changed it and added something very close to what you have mentioned. "The referral of my service to your friends and family is the highest compliment I can receive."  I actually wrote a blog on this many months ago and it's mentioned in there also. Business Cards can help you move your career forward..........

Again...very good blog.

I have more info about my services on the back of my card, BUT!! I had it designed so the top 1/3 is blank so I can write notes for customers.

Great post. I especially like Debra Gould's idea. Either way, endless possibilities.
Only WE can make things happen.

Wow!  There are so many great ideas here!  I'm bookmarking this and my back won't be blank next time.  Thanks for the post!!!

When I last ordered cards, I opted to have a rate table put on them. I'm about to order new cards and won't be putting that table on again. Why? because the front is high gloss and can't be written on. With the rates on the back, I can't write there either. There's been too many times when I wanted to write something on the back and couldn't so I'll be changing to either blank or at least mostly blank.

Endea,

Thanks for the post.  Currently I have a tip calculator on the back of mine.  I'm thinking my next set will be more about real estate.  Thanks.

you gave me some ideas on what to put on my business card.  thanks.

I will be adding info to the back of my cards-just haven't decided what,yet.

Wow...so amyn great posts tonight. I never thought of it as getting used for scrap....better to use it than be used!

Lots of great ideas here and lucky me I'm just ready to order new cards tomorrow.

Thanks 

Right now it's just a blank card, but I'll have to look into the ideas Margaret and Gabe mentioned. Good post with a great discussion in the comments.

Funny, I was just thinking this morning, that I need to put something on the back of my cards.  Thanks for the ideas. 

Edena, I've always placed something on the back of my card.

Sorry I wasn't logged in above! I meant to show you the back of my card......

"You can have information on the back of your business card that will compel some one to go to your website to find out more information about you."

That's what I've done with my business cards. I had a rubber stamp made at Office Depot for my website address. I also tell people about AR and write activerain.com on the back.

Hi Endea - I have a saying similar to Danny's on the back of my business card, but now you've got me thinking about perhaps changing that to something that would cause someone to hang onto my card.  I'll start doing some research on ideas to see what I come up with.

Thanks for inspiring me to think about that change!
Ann

I have been thinking of printing something on the back of the card it is more expensive so I am looking for the best deal.Any recommendations?

Great info! For those of you who are looking to print new business cards check out www.overnightprints.com. You can create a custom card very easy and very inexpensively ($9.95 for 100). They are high quality and you can choose uv coating without an extra expense.

All GREAT ideas.  I like Jim Little's best.

Good topic to write about Endea. personally, i developed a Mission Statement, as i think every business should have. I haven't seen another REALTOR(R) with it yet. why is that? too busy asking rather than showing what we are offering? Nick thinks its about them, not him.

its on my card, with a little white space for notes, and when i hand my card to a prospective client, its always with the Mission Statement side up and i mention that my info is on the 'back' of th card they need to contact me. :)

Great ideas!

An agent in our office places a sticker with information on her latest listing. She then passes the cards out or leaves them various places. The sticker side is up, with a photo of the house - her contact info is on the back. This has worked well for her.

I use a stamp with the website addresses of both offices. Only one will fit on the front.

 have three different business card:

1. Single sided advertising my community website that I leave with my websites cosponsors, and merchants, groups and organizations.  They promote my site www.ilovemiramar.com , and the consumer is not threatened when picking it up because it does not advertise a REALTOR, it advertises a product that is benefits them (allowing them to hold on to it longer, and even share the information with others).  It reads...For everything about our neighborhood, News, Schools, Merchants, and Homes..visit www.ilovemiramar.com
2. Double sided one side featured my community website www.ilovemiramar.com and the other is my personal business card with sll of my contact information (second website address www.RealEstateWish.com & Contact Telephone Numbers)  I do not add my email address on purpose, this directs people to my website or  triggers them have to call me for my email address, allowing me to have a one-on-one conversation with them
3. My third business card includes my personal business card (see #2) and the the other side has my complete marketing package on it.  I use this to leave behind when showing properties, meetings with sellers, I give this to my friends and family to pass on to those they know that interested in selling real estate etc.

I am a true believer in using every little space you have available on your business card to advertise you and your services, and making the card attractive enough to have people want to pick it up - The only time I leave the back blank is if it is beneficial to do so (see #1).

Thanks for the great ideas. I used to just have interest rates or a tip chart but you have brought up some new ideas.

We always had the back of our business cards blank, and just got 2 sided cards...

WE HATE THEM!!

Nothing is more frustrating than not having anything to write on.  We were spoiled by our old cards, and have decided to order one sided cards next time!

Becky Johnson

Your Real Estate Specialists Group

www.yourrealestatespecialists.com

Nick, Love your card and the idea!

I have my two blogs on the back as well as the states I am licensed in ( now that the code of ethics requires it on all advertisements), and also my designations and certifications.

Ex.

Visit my blogs at ...

Licensed in MN, WI, FL

GRI  ABR ePRO RSPS (I find by just having the letters like this I get more questions from people about what they mean and give me an opportunity to engage in a conversation)

I made the mistake of having the front AND back side of my card with the "glossy" finish.  I won't do that again!

Endea

I usually write personal messages to the people on the back of my cards and also use my cards with magnets. So even if I did have a message on the back you wouldn't see it. Upon reading several of the comments to this post it gave me an idea. That we could print the websites of people we refer like attorneys, title companies, home inspection companies etc.. and in exchange have them link us to their website or in the alternative have them pay to be on the back of your card thus cutting the expense of your cards.

Great idea Gary!  Putting your alliances on your card and have them do the same.

I need to give this some serious thought.  I have always had business cards with a blank back, but on reading these replies I guess I need to rethink this.

Thanks for giving me something else to do.  Now, if I could just find five more hours in the day, I could implement all of the great ideas I see here on AR.

Great Post. The comments here all give me something to think about when ordering new cards.

I was thinking about the comment someone had about printing listings on the back of the card (liked that idea), but then I thought how quickly that could become dated.  So when someone else posted the idea about using a sticker to put a listing (or whatever) on the back, that really hit me.  A sticker, if done correctly, can provide current info and you still have blank cards if you want them -- best of both worlds.

Susie,

 Outdated, not if you don't put a price. When it sells, I just write "SOLD" on the photo as I hand it out...as in.."oh this one is already sold!

I agree with you 100% as far as not leaving the back of your business cards blank. Matter of fact,here is what the back of my new business cards states:

HOME BUYERS: Use my service and receive up to $1,000 in closing cost gifts at settlement.

HOME SELLERS: Use my service and receive up to $1,000 in closing cost gifts at settlement.

Its all about trying to compel potential home buyers and sellers to call. I got the business cards like two cards. However,this week I am going to start passing them out as I prospect in certain neighborhoods.

i really enjoyed this post, as well as everyone's comments!  So many great ideas in one thread, it's great.

I particularly liked the idea of putting businesses you refer out to like title, inspectors, etc on the bak.

Thanks for sharing everyone! 

Great Marketing

GREAT IDEA!! I love it. I will make sure I get my new cards changed. Nice Work

Hey I wanted to ask you if you would please join my AR Group. I would be honored to have you there. It is called:

http://activerain.com/groups/KentuckyProfessionals

Thanks so much

Ben

As far as putting listings on a business card.  I do that mainly for my high end listings and it is a card dedicated to the one property.  On the front of the card is a picture of the property with my information and on the back information about the property with a link to the properties own website. 

This is a great marketing tool. I give out the cards to the Seller who then hands them out to their friends and family. I call them property cards and you can drop them anywhere.  It is very effective.

I have the back of my business cards blank...I love to write a note on the back if I stop by someone's home or place of business.  It's more likely to be read, plus I don't have to scramble to find a piece of paper!!

Good idea Lori!  Personal notes are wonderful and people won't throw your card away either.

great idea.  I used to have a morgage brokers number on the back but that just was not working out.

Bill,

How about an 800# with free recorded message about the different types of loans your company offers. Of course you capture their phone numbers and call them if they need any assistance.

A lot of great ideas.   I too, will fill the void on the back of my business cards!  Thanks for the idea.

A blank back is like forgetting to put you phone number on the front....

Endea - Great idea. Do you have a company with 800# you use to capture this information?

Debbie,

Try FreedomVoice.com they are who I use for my 800#

I leave mine blank also, just for the simple reason; that if a client uses the card for scrap note, they are more likely to keep it.  It is also great to write a personal note on the back.  The power of the business card is awsome.  I actually have varius levels of cards and hand the out to different types of clients with the best one being a laser engraved real wood card.  But then again I am also a wood worker.

Thanks!  I'm starting in July and this is great info for me!  Great idea!

Robert,

I like the sound of the real wood card.  I actually saw one in a gift shop once.  How much would you charge  to do one for me!

We use multiple business cards which varying custom text, calendars, etc.. on the back.  What a waste to just leave them blank!

You are absolutely right Tim and Pam.  I just got a business card from a lender and it had an Attorneys name and phone number on the back. I asked the Lender did he need the Attorneys phone number and he said no.  It was really funny because I thought about the blog and told him about it.  He used his card for scrap paper to write some else's information on the back and it was his only card so he had to gave it to me.  Good advertising for the Attorney don't you think?

I had my mission statement on the back of my card. But after much, much consideration, I plan to make it blank. I could use the back for many different occasions!!! For example: When I buy a coffee at the Starbucks drive-through, I'll like to say, "God loves you very much. Make it a great day!!!"

Really cool Loreena.  Inspirational verses and thoughts to uplift someone elses day is a real blessing.

I love this post.  What a great idea to utilize.  Thanks for sharing.

backs are very inexpensive to print!  when you are getting cards made up, take a look at the price difference (maybe $10-15 bucks to have the back printed)    That gives you a TON of space to list services, and such!