11 replies
Hey Offline Warriors!

I know lots of people are using business cards, but are you using them correctly? Here's what I mean,

Standard Business Card

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Russell Smitheram (Logo Here)
Offline Marketing Consultant
xxx-xxx-xxx
YourSite.com

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Of course, the formatting isn't as it would be but you get the idea of a 'normal' business card. Here's a better way,

Use Your Business Cards as Marketing Tools!

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Is Your Website Pulling In Sales (Photo of You)
For Your Business?

Call xxx-xxx-xxx For a Free
Consultation to Learn How

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I'm sure it could be written in lots of other ways but you get the idea.
Turn your business cards into calls to action by using teasing headlines etc.

I've been to numerous business 'meet-ups' where business owners exchange cards and guess what, every business card I receive is the same old boring stuff. Do you think my business cards stick out from everybody elses when I hand mine over?

Be different and you will stick out from the crowd!

~Russ
#business #card #tip
  • Profile picture of the author Alexandre Valois
    Both have their use, and both should be used correctly for best result.

    What you demonstrated in your post were 2 perfect examples of both what a business card should look like, and what a prospecting card should be.

    The goal of your business card is to let people you work with have all your contact information handy so that they can get in touch with you when they need to, without having to jump through hoops of visiting your website to get the info.

    Your prospecting card should be straight to the point, sell them what you can do for them, give them an incentive to contact you, and a quick way to do it.

    I always keep both type of cards on me at all time when I go out.

    Alex.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rocket Media
    My business card is on decently thick paper and is vertically aligned with rounded corners. Makes for a unique/classy first impression. I have the bare minimum on the card when it comes to contact details. Just my phone and website.
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    Local Client ARMAGEDDON Free Facebook Group: KILLER new local client consulting education group. Watch my live stream: Listen to me COLD CALL to sell/rent my Exterminator website. Join the Facebook group for the link and to watch past Live Prospecting replays. I share my spreadsheets, Powerpoints, contracts, and other files so you can learn how to CLOSE DEALS!
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  • Profile picture of the author thelibidoguy
    I like that approach. There are a lot of creative ways to use business/prospecting cards. One of the first i had seen was the look of a dollar bill.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillST
    I offer a free SEO audit on my website and advertise this on the back of my business cards.

    If I get just one client through someone checking my website out for the free SEO audit, that will be worth $3500+ over the following 12 months.

    Having a call to action or a 'benefit statement' is all it needs, and requires no effort from you other than giving business cards out.

    It may not be the best client getting method (regarding the volume of clients), but just by getting 1 or 2, its definitely worthwhile.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel LaRusso
    Always remember - it's not about the business cards you GIVE, it's about the business cards you GET.
    Signature

    It is unwise to trust all you read on the internet.
    - Benjamin Franklin

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    • Profile picture of the author ShawnSells
      Originally Posted by Daniel LaRusso View Post

      Always remember - it's not about the business cards you GIVE, it's about the business cards you GET.
      That's what I was taught by someone who does a heck of a lot of business, locally. For example, if you go to a chamber meeting or any kind of event, it's much more important how many cards you get, than give.

      No matter how good-looking your business card is, most will be discarded, but you can do something with the ones you get.
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      • Profile picture of the author RRG
        Originally Posted by ShawnSells View Post

        That's what I was taught by someone who does a heck of a lot of business, locally. For example, if you go to a chamber meeting or any kind of event, it's much more important how many cards you get, than give.

        No matter how good-looking your business card is, most will be discarded, but you can do something with the ones you get.
        Another networking tip is to hand out your business card only if someone asks for it.

        Like you say, if you force it on him, he's just going to throw it out anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author thelibidoguy
    The front of the card could have something on it like, "Don't throw me away..., while on the back it will continue with, ...present this card and get 10% off at__________." It may not get thrown away. Of course, you'd have to work out something with the other business as a joint venture. Many possibilities!
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  • Profile picture of the author AnthonyCurtis
    Nice Calls-to-Action! Thanks for the ideas.
    Signature
    Anthony Curtis -- Udemy Instructor
    Learn to Buy Facebook Ads, Linkedin Ads & Many More for
    Pennies on the Dollar with RTB (Real Time Bidding)

    Warrior Special Offer... $7 to $47 DIMESALE for Lifetime Access and Updates
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  • Profile picture of the author MakerContent
    My first post here - feels good to be a part of this community.

    Now, I have been in the DTP and design business for eight years now. I have, through out my career, seen a lot of varying experiments that my clients have been performing on their business cards.

    It's important to know that people are already flanked with a lot of marketing material and from what I have seen, over-showering them with discount offers through your business cards, more often that not, only results in them being stacked away along with the other brochures and vouchers.

    As far as I am concerned, I have had a great amount of success with business cards that look different from the others viz. All four rounded corners, two opposite counters rounded, Spot highlighting and the likes. It urges people to actually look at them and read what's written.

    Also, a call to action is important, but remember it's also important that it doesn't hinder with the your contact details. People, sometimes, tend to get over-creative with their cards and this spoils their chances at utilizing the true purpose of their business card.

    Maker
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  • Profile picture of the author RKCastillo
    One of the coolest ones I've seen had a screen capture of the woman's name and information at the top spot in Google and a tag line that said she'd get you there, too. Very memorable and impressive. It had the wow factor.
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