How To Make $840 A Month With Business Cards

59 replies
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#$840 #business #cards #make #month
  • Profile picture of the author SouthGate
    Excellent post and challenge Martin!

    I stumbled across CardCues.com about 6 months ago and use them to promote my own business on local bulletin boards. The business card holders are made out of card board, attractively printed and hold about 40 of cards. Keeps my business card on display longer than just pinning a few up at a time. They could easily be used for what you're describing above. Just thought I'd pass it along.
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      SouthGate,

      I use card cues, but i make my own by taking an original card cue and opening it up and tracing it out onto a piece of card stock that i have printed a unique background, picture or text on. I make them as eye catching as i can to draw more people to see them and take my business card or coupon, etc.

      Thanks,

      Martin
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    • Profile picture of the author RRG
      Originally Posted by SouthGate View Post

      Excellent post and challenge Martin!

      I stumbled across CardCues.com about 6 months ago and use them to promote my own business on local bulletin boards. The business card holders are made out of card board, attractively printed and hold about 40 of cards. Keeps my business card on display longer than just pinning a few up at a time. They could easily be used for what you're describing above. Just thought I'd pass it along.
      Interesting.

      Ever have a problem with people taking your 40 cards out and stuffing their own cards on your cue thingy?
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      • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
        RRG,

        What i do is only place 20 business cards in my card holders at a time and make a bi-weekly route , and go back and check to make sure i still have cards in my holders and that no has placed thier cards in my holders and if so i throw them in the trash, but i have only had to do so two times, as most people are fair and don't bother my card holders.

        I hope this answers your question.

        All the best,

        Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author jgsketch
    Do the businesses that own the bulletin board ever want something in return? Any kick backs?

    If a store does not have a bulletin board, do you try and get them to place one?

    I know if I was a business owner and saw that ad, I would want something in return or just steal that guys idea for myself, charging people to place ads on my bulletin board.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by jgsketch View Post

      Do the businesses that own the bulletin board ever want something in return? Any kick backs?

      If a store does not have a bulletin board, do you try and get them to place one?

      I know if I was a business owner and saw that ad, I would want something in return or just steal that guys idea for myself, charging people to place ads on my bulletin board.
      I can't speak for the OP, but I know that in my area, there's no charge for putting a biz card on the bulletin boards. Most of the businesses that have them do it as a free service just as a goodwill gesture.

      Hope that helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      jgsketch,

      Most businesses that have bulletin board have them for their customers to post things for sale or to place their business cards and they offer this service for free as a goodwill gesture.

      Yes, a few times i have conviced a business owner to place a bulletin board and even offered to buy the bulletin board and hang it up for them and that is how i was able to convice them to do it and why did i do that, because now that gave me one more place to post my business cards and offers

      I hope this answers your questions.

      All the best,

      Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
    microsoftofd,

    Your welcome!

    Happy i was able to help you.

    All the best,

    Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author ConradDeas
    Martin I'm now going through the offline thread and finding all your idea posts. Thank you for sharing these great ideas with us. I see how we could take these ideas and get them started then find someone else we could trust to do it and earn some passive income with your ideas. GREAT STUFF!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      Conrad,

      Your welcome!

      I have posted a few great money making ideas here on the warrior forum that are really simple to set up and run.

      One of the key things I try to do when I come up with a money making idea is to create it so like you said once it's set up I can out source the project to someone else and still make a profit for myself.

      I'm going to be working on a report that will have all the offline money making ideas in it that I have made money with and I will market it for sale online for sale. I should have this report done and ready for sale within the next 2 months or less.

      Thanks,

      Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author NiagaraLocal
    A twist where the actual business cards could be added to each board would increase perceived and actual value and probably retain advertisers for a longer period of time.
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      NiagaraLocal,

      I have tried this idea with using real business cards and it's a pain and alot more time involved to hang up real business cards and the whole idea here is to keep things simple and offer a service at a very low cost and if you start to deal with distributing real business cards you would have to charge more to the advertisers and that would kill your sales rate, so if you do things the way I say you will make more sales and make more money faster and easier.

      All the best,

      Martin


      Originally Posted by NiagaraLocal View Post

      A twist where the actual business cards could be added to each board would increase perceived and actual value and probably retain advertisers for a longer period of time.
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  • Profile picture of the author sadiecopywriter
    Hmm. The libraries, the post offices in my area all have them...I might try this. (I was going to post my own there anyway.) Definitely getting a pack of card cues. (those are awesome.)
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      sadiecopywriter,

      Ya, i forgot most post offices have bulletin boards.

      Thanks!

      Martin
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      • Profile picture of the author want2knowhow
        Originally Posted by MartinBuckley View Post

        sadiecopywriter,

        Ya, i forgot most post offices have bulletin boards.

        Thanks!

        Martin
        Hmm. They do?? I've never seen one in any that I've gone to...it must've been hidden because it never caught my eye. Gotta not be in such a hurry next time to hurry up, mail off and leave!
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        • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
          Yes, some post offices do have them, but the one that i have seen are in post offices in smaller towns.

          Martin

          Originally Posted by want2knowhow View Post

          Hmm. They do?? I've never seen one in any that I've gone to...it must've been hidden because it never caught my eye. Gotta not be in such a hurry next time to hurry up, mail off and leave!
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  • Profile picture of the author sherylmartin
    Martin,

    I have not thought of this, and these boards are all over the place, I have no idea why I did not think of this before. This is a great way to get some additional exposure without breaking the bank.

    Thanks again,

    Sheryl
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  • Profile picture of the author IMRookie1
    Wow, this is an awesome idea. We have elevators in buildings that have a place for signs and a lot of small businesses don't have the personnel to do this. You rock, Martin Buckley.
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  • Profile picture of the author SendCards
    Originally Posted by MartinBuckley View Post

    Offline bulletin boards really do work as a traffic builder for small businesses.


    and place the sign or business card on all the bulletin boards that you plan to service.With this type of service business you really don't have to hunt far to find customers, they are right on the bulletin boards you will be servicing, so simply write down the names and phone numbers of every business that has a business card or ad on display and call them and offer them your service.


    Now go make some money!

    Martin
    So what kind of renewal rate should we be seeing Martin? Or do we have to keep looking for new clients as some drop off. In other words, from your experience, once you have a client, how long do they keep using your bulletin board service?

    Great Idea,

    Cheers!

    Chris
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    • Profile picture of the author SendCards
      This would be a cool idea to combine with a simple local online ad board to offer your clients as a bonus. Then you can slowly suggest/offer other offline products and services, websites, QRs, Text messaging/SMS . Cool.

      Cheers!

      Chris

      P.S. Don't forget to bring your own thumb tacks!!
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      Chris,

      I end up having to sign up 1-3 new clients every other month, so the renewal rate is pretty low for me.

      All the best,

      Martin



      Originally Posted by SendCards View Post

      So what kind of renewal rate should we be seeing Martin? Or do we have to keep looking for new clients as some drop off. In other words, from your experience, once you have a client, how long do they keep using your bulletin board service?

      Great Idea,

      Cheers!

      Chris
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      • Profile picture of the author SendCards
        Martin,

        Thanks for the response, appreciated. 1-3 isn't too bad. Yesterday I took a drive and located 10 local bulletin boards. Called three places an two had boards. I think locally I can find about 20 or 22 boards locally.

        I am putting up a posting with three of my own offers and one section that says reserve this space just to test it out and maybe get a some business over the next 4 weeks. Also have a few businesses I already know that would advertise with me just for grins. I will post my results as they come in..

        Cheers!

        Chris
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        • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
          Chris,

          That sounds great!

          Way to take action and keep me posted on how things turn out.

          To your success,

          Martin

          Originally Posted by SendCards View Post

          Martin,

          Thanks for the response, appreciated. 1-3 isn't too bad. Yesterday I took a drive and located 10 local bulletin boards. Called three places an two had boards. I think locally I can find about 20 or 22 boards locally.

          I am putting up a posting with three of my own offers and one section that says reserve this space just to test it out and maybe get a some business over the next 4 weeks. Also have a few businesses I already know that would advertise with me just for grins. I will post my results as they come in..

          Cheers!

          Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author aduttonater
    Yes business cards are legit. I always give one to all my leads, and place on bulletin boards in associations.
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      Business cards are still one of the most under used marketing tools that everyone should be using to drive traffic to their website or customers to their business.

      Also, I hate when I see a business card that is blank on one side, as it can be used in so many ways and the cost to get double sided business cards printed these days is peanuts.

      All the best,

      Martin


      Originally Posted by aduttonater View Post

      Yes business cards are legit. I always give one to all my leads, and place on bulletin boards in associations.
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  • Profile picture of the author nexus851
    lol, i did something like that back in high school of '94... wow, it still works today huh?
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  • Profile picture of the author manny2513
    wow man each time I come across your post is like hit after hit. Thanks a lot
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    • Profile picture of the author want2knowhow
      Originally Posted by manny2513 View Post

      wow man each time I come across your post is like hit after hit. Thanks a lot
      You, too, huh?!? (deep giggle)
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  • Profile picture of the author sondrac
    Thanks for sharing Martin. I already post business cards and postcards on bulletin boards as well as in libraries, but hadn't thought of creating an ad service, that's a great idea!
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    • Profile picture of the author HatKing
      I love it! Thank you for sharing
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  • Profile picture of the author JadeDragon
    I love the innovative thinking. If you want to make this into a blog post, I'm open to running it. Happy to link out to your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author RaptorGabe
    pure gold, I like it ....simple enough you kinda smack your head that you didn't think of it
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  • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
    I would like to thank everyone for all their positive comments and PM's. I really do enjoy helping others learn ways to make extra money and hearing success stories.

    To your success,

    Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author Syzygy999
    Martin,

    What a great, simple idea. Let me add to all the thanks here for posting this!

    Can you clarify a point for me so I am sure I understand?

    "What you will be doing is creating an ad flyer with 10 business card size ads spaces on it and just copy and paste your customers business card or ad in those spaces, then just make the number of copies you need to service all your bulletin board four times a month and place them on the bulletin boards once a week, it's as simple as that!"

    So, what you are actually posting is an 8 1/2 x 11 flyer containing 10 individual ads (or biz card images)? You're not cutting the flyers up into the individual ads and then posting those, right?

    Do any of your potential advertisers raise the concern that this does not allow for people taking their individual card/ad home with them? (I have seen bulletin boards where people pin a dozen of their cards to the board, obviously hoping they'll achieve multiple "take homes" this way -- tho' I don't know if that actually works very well.)

    Thanks again!
    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      Syzygy999,

      You are correct in the design and layout, etc. of the business card adverting flyer.

      To your success,

      Martin

      Originally Posted by Syzygy999 View Post

      Martin,

      What a great, simple idea. Let me add to all the thanks here for posting this!

      Can you clarify a point for me so I am sure I understand?

      "What you will be doing is creating an ad flyer with 10 business card size ads spaces on it and just copy and paste your customers business card or ad in those spaces, then just make the number of copies you need to service all your bulletin board four times a month and place them on the bulletin boards once a week, it's as simple as that!"

      So, what you are actually posting is an 8 1/2 x 11 flyer containing 10 individual ads (or biz card images)? You're not cutting the flyers up into the individual ads and then posting those, right?

      Do any of your potential advertisers raise the concern that this does not allow for people taking their individual card/ad home with them? (I have seen bulletin boards where people pin a dozen of their cards to the board, obviously hoping they'll achieve multiple "take homes" this way -- tho' I don't know if that actually works very well.)

      Thanks again!
      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author sbishop


    I looked into these a few years ago. See Them HERE
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  • Profile picture of the author sbishop
    you place these in atleast 5 places and sell the spots. I think it was about $5k to start
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  • Profile picture of the author noxid101
    Originally Posted by MartinBuckley View Post

    Offline bulletin boards really do work as a traffic builder for small businesses.

    People use offline bulletin boards to advertise things they want to sell, trade or buy.

    Real estate agents, plumbers, carpenters, home based businesses, etc. use them as a way to advertise their services.

    Anyone can organize and make money with a local bulletin board advertising service by charging the advertisers a small weekly or monthly fee to place their business card size ad on X amount of bulletin boards.

    The first step is to contact as many local businesses in your area, such as corner stores, grocery stores, barber shops, laundry mats, beauty salons, auto service stations, etc. and find out if they have a bulletin board for you to place your customers ads on.

    Then write down the business name and adress of all the ones that do have a bulletin board, so you can provide a list to all your advertisers of all the places their ad with be placed.

    Make up a sign or business card that says something like:

    Bulletin Board Advertising Service

    Have your business card or business
    card size ad posted on 25 local bulletin
    boards 4 times a month for only $50.

    For more info. call Martin
    at (585) 285-6533

    and place the sign or business card on all the bulletin boards that you plan to service.With this type of service business you really don't have to hunt far to find customers, they are right on the bulletin boards you will be servicing, so simply write down the names and phone numbers of every business that has a business card or ad on display and call them and offer them your service.

    What you will be doing is creating an ad flyer with 10 business card size ads spaces on it and just copy and paste your customers business card or ad in those spaces, then just make the number of copies you need to service all your bulletin board four times a month and place them on the bulletin boards once a week, it's as simple as that!

    Here's are two profit examples:

    10 advertisers @ $2 per bulletin board per month X 25 bulletin boards = $500
    minus printing/gas costs of $80 = $420 per month, per 10 advertisers.


    20 advertisers @ $2 per bulletin board per month X 25 bulletin boards = $1000
    minus printing/gas costs of $160 = $840 per month, per 20 advertisers.

    Now go make some money!

    Martin
    Great idea.
    Just 2 questions.

    Do you cut out each individual copy of each card? Or do you just place the one flyer on the bulletin board with all the business cards copied on that one flyer?

    Thanks,
    Dylan
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      Dylan,

      I just place the one flyer on the bulletin board with all the business cards copied on that one flyer as you said.

      To your success,

      Martin

      Originally Posted by noxid101 View Post

      Great idea.
      Just 2 questions.

      Do you cut out each individual copy of each card? Or do you just place the one flyer on the bulletin board with all the business cards copied on that one flyer?

      Thanks,
      Dylan
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      • Profile picture of the author Anen
        You just gave me and idea Martin...

        I have a friend that wants to do some business with me, but could not place him anywhere in my company (marketing and sales consulting). Now I have a place for him - he will do a card thing. Thanks to you.

        There will be some good karma points for you Martin...

        Anen
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        • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
          Anen,

          I'm happy to hear I was able to give you an idea to help employ a friend of yours.

          Thanks and all the best,

          Martin

          Originally Posted by Anen View Post

          You just gave me and idea Martin...

          I have a friend that wants to do some business with me, but could not place him anywhere in my company (marketing and sales consulting). Now I have a place for him - he will do a card thing. Thanks to you.

          There will be some good karma points for you Martin...

          Anen
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          • Profile picture of the author Anen
            Originally Posted by MartinBuckley View Post

            Anen,

            I'm happy to hear I was able to give you an idea to help employ a friend of yours.

            Thanks and all the best,

            Martin
            You're welcome Martin!

            We are at the planning and training phase - soon will start with action.

            Anen
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  • Profile picture of the author ZiggyD
    This seems like not only a good small business idea but also a great foot-in-the door to more marketing opportunities. I am moving to a new town and this will be a great way to get started networking and making some cash there.

    I do have one question though, how do you design the A4 fliers you post up? Do you possibly have a template you can post in the thread as an example? That would a big help as I am struggling with what the best way to design the background etc of the flier to make it attractive and professional.

    Thank you Martin.
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      ZiggyD,

      I will post a picture here of my business card flyer in the next day or two once I get a chance to take a picture and upload it here for you to see what it looks like.

      All the best,

      Martin
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      • Profile picture of the author ZiggyD
        Originally Posted by MartinBuckley View Post

        ZiggyD,

        I will post a picture here of my business card flyer in the next day or two once I get a chance to take a picture and upload it here for you to see what it looks like.

        All the best,

        Martin
        Thanks Martin! You're a king among marketers.
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  • Profile picture of the author lauriean
    What a cute idea! I've looked at some of your other ideas, and I have to say that you're pretty inventive. Very inspiring.
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      lauriean,

      Thank you for your kind words. I really do enjoy sharing my money making ideas with others and helping other to earn extra money, It gives me a good feeling to pay it forward and see other succeed.

      All the best,

      Martin

      Originally Posted by lauriean View Post

      What a cute idea! I've looked at some of your other ideas, and I have to say that you're pretty inventive. Very inspiring.
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  • Profile picture of the author offline master
    This is a great idea Martin, as are all the ideas I have seen you post online. Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      offline master,

      Thanks for the postive comment and I really do try and post unique quality money making ideas to help others make extra money.

      All the best,

      Martin

      Originally Posted by offline master View Post

      This is a great idea Martin, as are all the ideas I have seen you post online. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author WayneMoore
    Thanks for you simple and effective ideas! Always BRILLIANT! :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author ckw123
    I think your ideas and system is great Martin. I ordered the ebook and even the sample card. However, I mistakenly had the wrong shipping address. I sent you an email about it. I hope you got it. -Thanks

    -ckw123mattaolcom
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    • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
      ckw123mattaolcom,

      Yes, I got your correct address and will get the sample pizza cards out to you asap.

      Thanks,

      Martin

      Originally Posted by ckw123 View Post

      I think your ideas and system is great Martin. I ordered the ebook and even the sample card. However, I mistakenly had the wrong shipping address. I sent you an email about it. I hope you got it. -Thanks

      -ckw123mattaolcom
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  • Profile picture of the author Mundus
    great stuff, thanks really helpful
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