Posted by Cari on 2/21/08 1:52pm
Msg #236393

In a recent discussion, there was talk about....

found this interesting article on: http://www.smallbusinessnewz.com/topnews/2008/02/20/business-card-effectiveness

I know in a recent discussion, there was talk about whether it was appropriate to submit/leave a business card for the TC in the package when returning it.

"Business Card Effectiveness

By Chris Crum - Wed, 02/20/2008 - 5:18pm.

Is your business card bringing you customers?

Every small business should have business cards. If you don't have one, you're missing out on an important marketing tactic. This applies to both Brick and Mortar businesses as well as online businesses.

However, it takes more than just having one printed up to achieve effectiveness.

The proper info

Take some time and think about what information you really want to include on your card. It may seem obvious at first: logo, address, phone number, website, email address, slogan. But traditionally, business cards are not very big, and you may be surprised at how fast you can run out of room. This is where design elements really come into play.

Design

Now if you have a designer on staff, you will probably want to let them come up with some concepts for your card, unless you personally have a history in design. This can even include a web designer, because chances are, they have taken general design classes and have honed their skills over time.

Design is crucial to an effective business card. You want to have a design that catches the eye, yet still manages to get all of your important information in. This can take some maneuvering.

You also have to decide on whether or not to use both sides of the card. Generally, it will cost you more to have them printed if they are double-sided. It will also cost more the more colors you use. You will want to keep these factors in mind before handing over your final design to the print shop.

Handing them out

There's no bigger waste of money than a stack of business cards that haven't left your possession. A common tactic for brick and mortar business owners is to leave a tray of cards at the front desk or check-out area for people to grab as they leave. Niche conferences, conventions, and trade shows are other good places to give them out.

You should always carry a few with you no matter where you go. You never know when an opportunity will arise to find a potential customer. You may be having a conversation at a party and discuss what it is you do for a living and another person just may be interested in your business.

You probably already have a business card. It may seem like common sense, but pull it out and take a look. If someone handed your business card to you at a party, would you be inclined to follow up on it? Be honest with yourself. It may be time to try a different design.

What tactics do you use to earn business from your cards?"

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/21/08 2:02pm
Msg #236399

<<<If someone handed your business card to you at a party, would you be inclined to follow up on it? Be honest with yourself. It may be time to try a different design.>>>

Yes, I spent a "little more" and had my cards printed on good quality card stock and glossy. I'm leery of those free cards where one just pays the shipping as I did that before and the card stock thin, flimsy and recycled. If the card was held up at a certain angle, one could see the impression of a previous business's information.

Having cheapo quality cards is like printing a resume on recycled paper.

Reply by CJ on 2/21/08 2:42pm
Msg #236409

Business Cards

When I was brand new, I was stupid enough to have some of cards from XXX (the people who give the classes). They looked great, and had a flashy "XXX" logo on them. I proudly gave them out to everybody, and borrowers were calling XXX so they could do what I was doing. I threw those out.

Then I had some more nice cards printed up just for me. But who was there to give them to? Everyone who I worked for never saw me. The only people to give my cards to were loan processors who showed up at signings. I did not want to get into trouble for soliciting business from the clients of the SS, so I don't give them cards unless they ask. Why would I want to give out my cards at a "party"? So I can drive to someone's house and do a cheap side job? I don't even like to tell people what I do, because they first thing they say is, "Wow! How fun! Is it lucrative? How can I do that too?" I think I moved and changed my phone number, so I had to throw all of those out too.

Now I get the Business Card stock at Office Depot. I just have my name, phone, fax and email on them. I don't put "signing agent" on it, becuase I don't want to give borrowers help if they want to google my job. I just put "Notary". If someone (like a borrower) asks for my card, I have something to give them so they can hunt me down if they are paranoid. If I want to change something on my card, I don't have to throw a whole box out. I just print a couple of sheets at a time.

Reply by CJ on 2/21/08 2:45pm
Msg #236410

P.S.

However, when I am at a job, and I feel like it goes well, I ask the borrowers, "Could you please put in a good word for me?" I hope that it trickles back to the SS, and they say, "We hear good things about CJ, let's call her again."

I know it sure trickles back when they hear bad things.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 2/21/08 2:54pm
Msg #236413

Good Idea CJ - Asking borrowers to put a good word in n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/21/08 4:06pm
Msg #236434

Re: Business Cards

<<<Why would I want to give out my cards at a "party"? So I can drive to someone's house and do a cheap side job?>>>

You never know who the partygoer *knows*!!

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/21/08 7:45pm
Msg #236480

I have 2

I print them myself using they nice snap off stock (as opposed to the tear apart business card stock) One is a general Notary that I give to borrowers and other general public. The other is primarily for Signing clients. I use the back as well. There I list my coverage area.

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 2/21/08 7:42pm
Msg #236478

Where to scatter your business cards

Excellent post, Cari.

I keep a dozen business cards on me at all times.

I received a call from an accountant's office yesterday. The secretary asked if I would send her a stack of business cards. This gal heard about me from one of their clients who was happy to have found me. I mailed 50 cards to the office today. (I had given my client several cards and they passed one along to the accountant.)

An intern at a law office called me today for advice in handling a tricky situation for a distant client in Seattle. She needed a notary 2 hours away from me but I helped her by telling her how to handle her paperwork and found the names and phone numbers of 2 NotRot notaries for her. She was grateful for the help. That law office is far closer to me than Seattle. I asked if I could mail some business cards to her. Those cards go out in tomorrow's mail.

A few days ago I dropped off 50 cards to a UPS store in town that sends me lots of work. Their notary is not in on the weekends. Plus she hates long appointments (like Wills) and doesn't know how to handle more than just the simplest of notary tasks.

I also routinely drop off cards to FedEx and the banks downtown. Banks in my town no longer provide notary services for documents not created by them. The notaries in the banks hate saying "no" to a customer without handing them one of my cards. Sweet.

LauraV

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/21/08 7:47pm
Msg #236481

Also

Realtors. I have some that give out business card books to newcomers to the area. I have them include mine in them.

Reply by Cari on 2/21/08 10:13pm
Msg #236503

after reading that article I looked in my desk drawer..

.....and saw like three boxes of business cards collecting dust - so, I've started sending them out to former clients, anyone and everyone that can read! ha ha

.....I thought the article was intriguing and hoped that you all would enjoy it...LOL

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 2/22/08 2:16am
Msg #236518

Re: Where to scatter your business cards

Laura is the best at public mobile notary work. Period!!

One of the marketing tools I use with business cards is to leave them at restaurants/take out joints/etc that have their "take out menus" in a separate place from the cash register.

I always print a calendar on the back of my business cards and I turn the cards on the back and people pick them up because they want a 2008 calendar. This year I started putting the cards out in towards the end of October 2007 and will end March 2008

I leave 100 or so cards. If the owner finds them and tosses them in the trash, so what?

Business cards are the cheapest advertisement available. I'll be back next year!!


I have gotten several public notary jobs this year (9) by doing this.

Lets have a great end of the month!!