Business Cards

racheldarcy · 02-26-2008, 07:40 AM

When I started my business I was advised the business cards were key. They were supposed to be the most important type of marketing material. I therefore got 1000 printed. It is over 5 years on and I still have quite a few left! What are your experiences?

pendelton · 02-26-2008, 03:36 PM

I went through about 2,500 per quarter at first, I do not think a business in the area, WFH or regular, did not get my card at least once. The odd 500 I placed at gas stations, restaurants, any place that had good traffic. Once I got a few key businesses the others fell in to place like dominoes.

For a WFH business I can see them being used. As in my other post about advertising sites off line, you can do like those ads and fliers people use to send them a dollar for information, only thry can go to your site for free to find out information on services and the such.

The whole purpose of business cards is to get rid of the as fast as possible, never ever hang on to any of them. They do you no good in your pocket.

racheldarcy · 02-27-2008, 07:47 AM

That is a good point that they do no good in your pocket! However, in the UK you cannot leave them in gas stations and restaurants.

pendelton · 02-27-2008, 02:03 PM

Well, that bites!

Another method I used was to have a group of businesses join me in building up a little booklet with business cards in it and passing them out, the booklet held 20 cards and the 20 of us would give them out. I would tell the customers that I charged a lower price for my services because I saved money by dealing with the other businesses in the booklet. I got a bit of business that way by showing them I wanted to help save them money.

jlyn12 · 03-29-2008, 03:20 AM

I just made the rounds in my neighborhood and was very surprised at the number of stores that let me tape a card to the plexiglass at the checkout or counter or window or door. I purposely have a very easy to remember autoresponder and my card it just to get their interest to send an email. Even if they don't have a pen, they should be able to remember it. This way, one card gets multiple exposures. If someone takes it, I won't complain. Taped to side of phone booths, over ATMs, in laundromats, etc. I am in inner city where there is a lot of foot traffic and "corner stores" and I am promoting a GPT.

pendelton · 03-29-2008, 04:11 AM

Two things. You probably have the perfect spot for it, with the economy in its current state and getting worse people are going to be looking for more income. Second, you have to be careful on wheat you promote or you will turn off people responding to such methods.

Good luck.

kitin07 · 04-03-2008, 09:12 AM

business card will help you market yourself and business. But there are some factors to consider such as the design of your business card. By picking out a design it will showcase yourself and with it the other person will know who you are and what you are as a person.

pendelton · 04-03-2008, 02:59 PM

kit, the design goes for everything you put your business name on.

racheldarcy · 04-06-2008, 07:29 AM

i was taught to use a thick paper for a business card as it does not cost that much ore money to have printed, but it makes people think more of your company.

pendelton · 04-06-2008, 03:25 PM

Yes, typical business card stock is the thickness of several sheets of regular paper. The stock can be picked up at almost any store these days, I've even seen it in a pharmacy.