So you’ve got a business card, eh? Welcome to the fancy schmancy business card owner club (not a real club, but let’s pretend).
Anyone can make a business card, really. The good stuff happens when you know how to use those business cards well, though. Kind of like how anyone can own an expensive camera, but it takes knowledge and expertise to wield that baby properly.
In addition to leaving business cards at local area establishments (ex. coffee shops, community centers, fitness centers, neighborhood markets, eateries) and handing them out to people who ask about your work, there are lots of other creative ways you can use your business cards.
10 Creative Ways to Market With Business Cards
1. Hand out your business card to anyone who requests your phone number — not just those who want to contact you for business. For example, that mom sitting next to you at the soccer game who was wondering if you wanted to carpool next time? Give her the card.
2. Go for a stroll through the neighborhood and leave your business card on your neighbors’ doors. Realtors, restaurants, and girl scouts do it — so can you!
3. Exchange a set of your business cards with others and agree to hand out their card with yours if they do the same for you. For example, a cake maker, wedding planner and DJ handing out your cards could garner a lot of business (and you could do the same for them). Small business owners unite!
4. Get a little ninja with your business card placement by leaving them in unsuspecting places. Sneak them in between pages of popular library books, next to diapers or toys at the grocery store (especially for newborn photographers), in Red Box movie cases, etc. If anything, people will appreciate your creativity!
5. Always give a few extra business cards when sending out packages or photography discs. Three is a good rule of thumb. One for the person receiving the package and two extras to hand out to friends.
6. Include business cards with any hand written correspondence you send out. That includes thank you cards, notes — even bills if the recipient is local. Worst case scenario is that the card gets tossed.
7. Put a QR (Quick Response) code on your business card. These are the black and white, matrix-y looking square codes that you see everywhere today. Anyone with a smart phone can scan the code and be taken to your website for more information. You can make a QR code for free online.
8. Give people a reason to hold on to your business cards for longer. For example, a business card in magnet form will likely hang out on the fridge for months, if not years. You can also print a calendar on the back of a business card or a list of important holidays. Another idea is to include a discount on your business card for new clients.
9. Even if you don’t have your own booth at a fair, don’t hesitate to go and hand out your card — especially to those who do have their own booth. Talking to others at events like this is easier and often expected, giving you ample time to bring up your own business. Just don’t be too pushy. Present yourself and your business casually and naturally.
10. Leave your business card any time you tip somewhere. That includes hotels, restaurants, the salon — even a taxi. Oh, and speaking of taxis, feel free to leave a few extras behind on the seat or in the door handle for when others hop in after you. You can do this on buses and planes also!
Looking for pre-designed business card templates? Check out our extensive collection of marketing template collections here.
