Business Cards-Effective?

[JenandMike]

Does anyone have any idea if business cards are that effective? I see a lot of them at restaurants but I usually just flip through them and that's it.

Best Regards,

Mike and Jen

[Business cards]

I read once that 90% of business cards end up in the bin without a second look but I think this is more to do with not paying enough attention to the design before getting them printed. They are so cheap and easy to get printed now and the endless advertising opportunities opened up to you with a business card I think means that you should always have one of your business cards to hand.......It looks unprofessional not to above all else! A catchy design is the key along with a cheap printing service. Funny slogans often work, people remember you that way, a smile goes a long way in business! I saw a design for one once for a gynecology unit that read "Dr Jones, at your cervix". Not sure if it was real or not but it has always stuck in my head!!

[torka]

Some questions in return:

How do you define "effective"? What result are you looking for?

How do you plan to distribute the business cards?

What sort of business do you have?

If you're asking whether leaving a stack of business cards in a rack on the counter at a restaurant, grocery store or other local business is going to drum up a lot of business... well, that will probably depend on the kind of business you have and the kind of customers who generally come through the business where the cards are displayed.

For instance, having a business card advertising a business that sells nothing but one-of-a-kind antique Chinese porcelain pieces might not be such a good fit to put out on the counter at an auto repair shop. Unless the auto repair shop specializes in luxury automobiles, in which case it might be a better fit than it appears on the surface.

But a much better -- and probably more effective -- use of those business cards might be instead for the owner of the porcelain shop to head over to the interior design trade show and exchange some cards with interior decorators and designers after engaging them in personal conversations to qualify them as good leads.

It all depends on where and how the cards are distributed and what you mean by "effective."

--Torka

[JenandMike]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[small business]

yes this is effective if you are on sales and doing field work, I suggest that you can put some ads and put the services you have at the back so people will know some details of your services. hope this helps

[Lentrepot]

I think that in a lot of situations, having a business card protects against appearing unprofessional. I also think that at networking or conferences they can be an effective way of exchanging information, getting "a foot in the door", and creating a warm lead - even if the contact prior to the exchange of cards is minimal.

[jonicode]

As with other marketing tools, it depends upon its overall quality: compelling image, easy to read contacts and all. So avoid all capital letters, too many typefaces and ultra fancy fonts,such as algerian, old english fonts or brush script m7 and the likes. As a consumer, those are really obnoxious and the card is too small for that much variety.

[aussieroo1]

Business cards are a must for corporate events. In fact, some companies get clients through referrals using business cards. I guess it depends on the nature of your business for them to become more effective.

[jass]

• Create Awareness for Your Business: People will be aware of your gift and party business with the use of postcards. The prints bear your company name and contact information. Moreover, the printed materials reflect the image of your business. This is why it is important to create compelling designs for your postcards.

• Build a Strong and Professional Brand Image: Put your logo on the postcards for effective branding strategy. This method will help you build a professional brand image for your gift and party business. For easy brand recognition, align the design of the postcards with your other promotional prints like brochures, flyers, and posters.

• Have a Positive Connection with Your Clients: Show appreciation, express gratitude, and send greetings using the postcards. The prints can be used to create a special connection between you and your clients. Furthermore, postcards invite an open communication where people can contact you for feedback about your gift and party supplies.

• Pamper Your Customers with Special Promotions: Postcards can help you deliver excellent service to clients. Make your customers feel that they are important by providing special promotions. Offer discounts on some musical instruments and give out musical accessories like guitar straps, guitar picks, and guitar strings for free.

[cpace]

I think it's all up to how your cards are presented. If people ask me for a card, or if I personally hand them the card, they are extremely effective. If I just blanket people with them, or if they are in a business card holder, they probably aren't too effective.

Think of it this way: whose business card do you have? Why?