Do you give out a physical address?

12 replies
I am trying to figure out what to do with regards to business cards for IM activities to hand out while networking. I have a "day job" and don't have a seperate office for my upcoming IM activities.
Do you suggest putting a physical address and phone number on the card? If so what address? I sure don't want to offer my home address nor do I want to have a PO Box listed. Would you use the address of your "day job"? Would you leave off a physical address since everyone understands that in IM physical location doesn't matter?

Thanks in advance.
#address #give #physical
  • Profile picture of the author Ken Strong
    I don't see why you'd necessarily need to put a physical address on your business card. Your phone number, email, and website address should be plenty.

    But if you want a physical address on there, get a PO box at a private mailbox business (not at the Post Office). Then you can list your address so it doesn't sound like a PO box (for instance, 2134 Jones Blvd. #124). Every mailbox place I've dealt with has no problem accepting mail addressed like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author mscopeland
    My IM Business card lists different ways to get a hold of me, no physical address. It lists my office, cell, email, skype, and some IM like AIM and Yahoo.

    AND, I don't just give it out to everyone either.
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    • Profile picture of the author hibernate
      Anyone have experience with a virtual phone system since I have a day job that might keep me from answering a cell phone?
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      • Profile picture of the author freedom40
        Originally Posted by hibernate View Post

        Anyone have experience with a virtual phone system since I have a day job that might keep me from answering a cell phone?
        These guys rock!

        http://gotvmail.com/
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    Originally Posted by hibernate View Post

    I am trying to figure out what to do with regards to business cards for IM activities to hand out while networking. I have a "day job" and don't have a seperate office for my upcoming IM activities.
    Do you suggest putting a physical address and phone number on the card? If so what address? I sure don't want to offer my home address nor do I want to have a PO Box listed. Would you use the address of your "day job"? Would you leave off a physical address since everyone understands that in IM physical location doesn't matter?

    Thanks in advance.
    Personally I don't use business cards.. they are tacky. Imagine 500 people at an IM event all handing you their cards... it wears out real quick and it sucks.

    I use events to connect with people and find out what they are up to. Mostly I know who they are already and just shoot the breeze about anything other than IM.

    Relationships take time to build.

    Mike Hill
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    • Profile picture of the author hibernate
      Ken, thanks for the good advice regarding a mailbox business.
      Michael C., I like the idea of adding several different ways people can reach me via the internet, e.g Skype, IM.
      Mike, Thanks for you telling me your approach. I agree relationships take time to build, and hopefully one day I will achieve 10% of what you have achieved.
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  • Profile picture of the author SandyHall
    Hi hibernate,

    What I do to solve this problem is, find one of those
    private mailbox places and rent a box from them.

    You get a "street address"
    You get mail forwarding if you live too far away from the nearest one.
    You can send and receive mail and packages from UPS,FedEx,DHL, etc.

    My husband and I currently have a box with The UPS Store:
    (Not an affiliate link)

    They'll email or call you when something for you
    is received, if you request that.

    It is a really good service. I have no complaints with them at all.

    Hope this helps,
    Sandy


    You can
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    • Profile picture of the author Internet Income
      If you give out your home address and contact telephone number, expect a call form someone in the middle of the night, it does happen and it happened to me when I first started. Now I have a busienss line I can set up to "close" and open at set times, so if someone calls out of the time scale they get a message, please call back during 9-5.
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      • Profile picture of the author KimW
        You need a physical address, especially if you have a website. You are suppose to put accurate information in when you register a domain.(tho a lot of people don't seem to have a problem lying when they do.) I made the mistake of putting in my real information. After I had an unpleasant situation due to someone getting my real address by doing a shois, I went out and got a post office box at my local post office, then went and changed all my websites information to either the PO box or a private registration,depending on the website. I've not had a problem since. (knock on wood.)
        Kim
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