Question for An idea for getting offline business clients. Please critique.

by NorthernCanadian

Posted: 13 years ago 14 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

I have been reading loads and loads of great idea's with business cards, I just have a simple question:

When approaching a prospective client for my business (cleaning) I will talk to the manager or owner and then leave a business card. When they give me theirs I file it for future reference but by reading the forum I wonder if I may have a creative idea or a foolish one here:

What if I offered to put their business name on the back of my card with a discount for my services and their services to hand out to possible clients?

Would that be a good idea or a bad one?

My logic is that if both myself and the prospect owner agree to "share" business cards would it be a risky chance or could it serve us both to attract new clients?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

#business #clients #critique #idea #offline #question

redcell1 13 years ago

This could work but I would think that it might "dilute" your brand by having someone else on the back of your business card. If you handed me a business card and the back of it had some one else's company info that would be seem really weird to me.
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Just here to see the shenanigans.
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- trevorhickey 13 years ago
  
  I agree - it could get more business but it could also make your business card misleading and they wouldn't know who you work for.
  
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ltplenus 13 years ago

Hey NC,

I think redcell1 hit the nail right on the head...Couldnt describe it better...
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danielkanuck 13 years ago

You could do the back of your business card more justice by adding customer and client testimonials. This way you get a chance to prove your credibility - which will hopefully get more people to call and do business with you.
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thelibidoguy 13 years ago

NC, they are right on. Those business cards should serve one purpose and it's information about you/your business. You're thinking joint-venture but using a card. Not a bad idea at all but i think you should use a different media. Just make sure they do good work or it could affect your reputation.
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- NorthernCanadian 13 years ago
  
  Thanks everyone,
  
  I like the idea of a testimonial on the back, every 50 or so cards could have a different message from a satisified customer.
  
  That's what I love about this forum, it's nothing but learning and great ideas from other members.
  
  Thanks for all of your responses
  
  NC
  
  Thanks
  
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Rocket Media 13 years ago

The person you are trying to close might see this as desperation depending on the niche. They will also think "hasn't he offered this to his other clients..?" these are just a few points i wanted to bring up.

Putting testimonials on the back could be a great idea. What if we put a qr code on our business card linking to a video testimonial on our company site?

IMO giving clients a discount from referrals will benefit you more than anything. Word of mouth is amazing in any niche and jogging the persons imagination and willingness to refer is a great shortcut to success!
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- NorthernCanadian 13 years ago
  
  Thanks for the response Rocket Media.
  
  I am currently looking at these QR codes, just started reading about them this morning from another thread. They sound really interesting.
  
  Putting that on my card would also put me light years ahead of the game.
  
  Great idea to look at indeed!!
  
  Cheers
  
  NC (seems to be my new WF nickname lol)
  
  Thanks
  
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Digital Traffic 13 years ago

I use different items on the back of my business cards, currently, I have a coupon good for $50.00 off of their first invoice.
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Brendan Vraibel 13 years ago

I agree that it probably wouldn't be great to advertise another business on your card. I would stick to the basics like a QR code or a discount to your business.

It's sort of like putting advertisements on a sales page. You don't want to give your potential clients any reason to take their mind off of your product/business.
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Online Reputation Management
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NorthernCanadian 13 years ago

Hey Digital Traffic

Thats a great idea also, I had sent out a promo this morning to my customers that if they sent me a referall I would give them a free dinner ..... but I think offering the monetary discount would get them happy also.

It's all about the discount lol .... or freebie.

Thanks for the response
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mrmatt 13 years ago

I offer a free report on the back of my card.

With your card you could offer:

A free 22 point cleaning audit showing them where the other cleaners are missing critical points of the cleaning process.
A free report with 18 questions you should ask every cleaning company you hire.
A guarantee

As other people mentioned -
testimonials
coupons/discounts
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sherylmartin 13 years ago

I think you would be sending the wrong message to some people. If you handed me a business card with your name on the front and someone else's business on the back, I would definitely ask you what is your relationship with that company. So in that sense, you would definitely get a conversation started if I noticed it at that time. I just don't think that it is the type of discussion that you want to have.

Sheryl
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NorthernCanadian 13 years ago

@ B and B

Thanks for the comment, it seems I am way behind with these QR codes, but it might just make me stand out in my area as being light years ahead lol

@ mrmatt

The audit idea is genius!!! Lots of cleaners cut corners, we don't. That's a heck of an idea!!

@ sherylmartin

I am seeing that it would be misleading, but you don't know if you don't ask from fellow marketers It would start a converstaion but as you say, it could end up being not in my favor. Great point

@ trevorhickey

Great point indeed....I work for me, not them.....so it could def be misleading

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Thanks for all the responses and great advice everyone !!!

NC
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Question for An idea for getting offline business clients. Please critique.

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