Or perhaps this article’s title would be better as “The billboard you should carry in your pocket”.
And, of course, we’re talking about your business card. I gathered up quite a few at the industry conference this past weekend, and on Too Good to be Threw I talk about these most miraculous, cheap forms of advertising…and how you might be missing the boat with yours.
Think about what you want your business card to accomplish. Go ahead, scribble it down on a Post-It and stick it to your monitor. Then get your card out and really look at it. Does it do what you want it to?
Think about, too, how you present your card, and how often. I came back from the conference with less than 100 cards, and there were over 300 people there, representing oh, maybe 225 businesses. We’ll talk about getting your card out, and why people will want to hang onto it, and motivating them to not only use your card, but ask for several more for friends.
Of the 100 cards I have, about 88 of them came into my possession because in my workshop, I had a drawing for 5 small door prizes. That means that in the course of 4 full days with 325 people, I was handed someone’s card only 3 times a day. (Hey, don’t feel bad. There were 20 vendors at SourceMart, and not a one came by to hand me theirs, either: and I was a real bona fide potential customer of theirs, not just a guru.)
So, read more, and follow the links on our business cards page at TGtbT.com, The Premiere Site for Professional Resalers, on making your business card one of the most productive advertising avenues you can create.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
We have several versions of our cards. The front sides all have the same logo, colors, info, with a few minor differences. The back sides are where the major differences are.
For instance, the back of one version says; My name is ___________ and I want to receive your FREE newsletter, advance notice of sales and special new arrivals. And I really want to win this month’s FREE SHOPPING SPREE. So, here’s my EMAIL: _____. (A stack of these cards are left with a pen and entry container along with a sign about our Email list.)
Another version (don’t have them in front of me) has a “form” for wish list requests. These are scattered about the store in several locations.
My next set will have tips for consignors on the back (complete with the HOWTOCONSIGN web address on it).
And now that I think about it, I need another set with How/Why to Shop Resale on the back.
I leave cards everywhere. All over the store, with tips at restaurants, bathroom wash counters… I even bought envelopes (clearance at Staples) that have an inner “card” pocket where the return address goes. Everything I mail has a card in it now.
With Vista Prints 250 FREE Premium card offers, I can afford to do lots so I’d love to hear some more good uses. Anything to get the customer to hold onto them. Okay, back to work for me now. Thanks for the nudge, Kate.
CG
I just had my own personal shop manager business cards made up to hand out to the people I meet in our signature neon color.
I have the name of the shop, my name (manager after it) website, address (shop), email, phone number and ‘always accepting new consignors’
The back is blank for writing on.
I had 100 of them made for my own personal use and have given several out so far in the last week. I always get a great response to them and then I tell everyone where I got them too!