https://businesscardtobusiness.com/blog/?p=52
Click on the link above to read the original post of this article dealing with the effective use of promotional items a/k/a “swag” at a trade show.
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Proof: Distribution of Business Cards Significantly Increases Name Recognition
The primary purpose of handing a person a business card is to increase the likelihood that he or she will remember you. We derive much of what we think we know about the usefulness of business cards from personal observation, personal experience and general knowledge. We believe the practice of business card distribution to be useful, but is it really? Is there proof that it works? Well it appears there is proof. A study by a group of medical professionals in Austria compared the impact of physician’s name recognition on patients who were provided business cards with the name of their anesthesiologist’s, prior to surgery, to that of patients who were not provided a business card. Participants were surveyed six weeks after their encounter. The study concluded that “handing a business card to the patient during the preoperative visit increased the postoperative recall of the anesthesiologist’s name from 11% to 51%.”
The study involving 441 subjects conducted by Doctors Jeske, Lederer, Lorenz et al demonstrated that “the use of a simple tool such as a business card can indeed produce a measurable positive change in physician recognition on the part of the patient.” From this I believe we can extrapolate with confidence that giving a business card in the course of a business encounter is similarly likely to have a positive impact on the recipient remembering who you are.
So if you are wondering whether it is “worth the investment” to hand a business card to a new prospect or client consider that you may be increasing your name recognition by 40%. If you respond better to negative stimulus consider that not giving a business card may be reducing your chances of being remembered by 40%. It’s a fact.
When your prospect needs the product or service you provide they must be able to recall or remember your name or your company name. A business card is a good start towards making that process happen.
The abstract related to this study can be viewed online at http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/full/93/5/1262 .
Reno Lovison is the author of “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” www.businesscardtobuiness.com
Meat Cards – A Jerky Idea?
Here’s a tasty or possibly tasteless idea. A business card made of beef jerky with your message laser printed into the dried flesh. Yummy.
I suggest making a membership card so your members can claim to be “card carrion members” of your club or organization.
How about a business card that is also its own wallet.
For any accountants out there. Is this a printing expense or a meal expense?
Consider getting these cards for your next “meat-up.”
To learn more about this protein rich business card alternative visit http://www.meatcards.com/.
Keep an Eye on Your Business Cards
Eye Catching Business Card
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could keep track of where your cards travel? J.R. Ballard literally “kept an eye” on his business cards in this vintage card offered for sale on Ebay by Midwest Resale Store. www.businesscardtobusiness.com/blog
Your Business Card is CRAP
I posed a question on LinkedIn asking “How do you deal with the fact that negative marketing sells?” I got a number of thoughtful replies which you can read here.
My question was based on the fact that this guy in a rather arrogant manner suggests that every card on the planet is “CRAP” except his $4 each, foil stamped, die cut, pop-up heavy stock “business card”. Now giving the devil his due, it is a nice card but in my judgment it really borders on being a flyer or brochure rather than a business card.
I do not see the point in debasing others in order to elevate yourself and this is where I take umbrage with this presentation. Also I am trying to help people improve their marketing message by encouraging business owners to analyze their business card in order to gain insight into their over all communications strategy. In this case I am concerned that the widespread distribution of the message conveyed in this video will give some people the idea that their cards need to be die cut, foil stamped etc etc to be effective. When in fact each business owner must discover and decided for himself how to he wants to be represented. For a bold and forceful individual such as this fellow perhaps only a card that is in direct proportion to his ego is adequate.
Admittedly I am irked that it seems those who deliver their ideas in a negative and crass manner are apt to get more attention. In this example getting the attention of Time Magazine online.
At first I thought I would ignore this video. But then I decided to take a kind of martial arts approach and bring that negative energy toward me and repurpose it into something positive. Check it out and judge for yourself. It is at the very least good for a chuckle.
The Business Card of a Fool
Bob Schecter has the business card of a fool but his card is not foolish. I met Bob Shechter “The Networking Fool” at LinkedIn. Bob sent me a few of his business cards for review. After my initial consultation Bob went back to the drawing board and revised his business card layout. I believe these examples illustrate that you can have a number of good ideas and at some point there is no right or wrong choice as to your ultimate design. It may simply be a matter of personal asthetics. Take a look at the following designs then go to the bottom of this post to see which card was chosen.
With the exception of #4 I do not think Bob could go wrong with any of these layouts. They are all well balanced designs. Some are better than others for various reasons. I will freely admit that I liked #2, though vertical cards can present other issues since they are somewhat unusual. However there are times when it is the best choice and can work very well particularly when you have a lot of information to get on a card in an orderly fashion. That was not the case here so #5 was my final pick. I think I liked it because I prefer asymmetry and like the angle created by the copy, and the way it reinforces the image. Also the tagline creates a strong baseline at the bottom of the card.
But Bob diplomatically put it up for a vote and found that #3 was the favorite. My guess is that most people react favorably to copy that is centered as opposed to copy that is asymmetrical. This could pose the question, is the intent of good design to simply please the observer or should it challenge their preconceived notions? I’ll let you ponder that for yourselves. In the end, the most important thing is for Bob to have a card that he feels good about giving away to people and that the card communicates his message in a succinct and coherent fashion. There is no question that Bob has achieved his objective. He has a good descriptive tagline, an image that reinforces his message and necessary contact information.
WTG Bob. Great job! No foolin’.
Reprint Amazon Comment
In this easy to read guide, Reno Lovison not only reminds us of some of the marketing ideas we’ve forgotten, he adds so many more that I will keep it handy as a quick reference on my desk at all times. But my favorite section . . . was the section he calls “Communications Strategy” where he gently guides you through exercises for defining your business and your market. Then he helps you understand design concepts and color considerations that many card designers don’t bother explaining to us. This little book delivers above and beyond the call to increase our business. Thank you Reno!
Peggy Kimmey
http://www.kimmeyconsulting.com/
Networking With Business Cards Can Improve Job Search Success
If you’re looking for work, the first thing you need to realize is that you already have a new job. It is a sales position with You Incorporated and you are the CEO and sales manager. Your only product is YOU and you must find a buyer.
Consider first that many good jobs are never advertised, they are filled through personal connections. To increase your possibility of getting one of these jobs you must expand your network of contacts. To begin, stop thinking that you need to know influential people. This is not always the case. Someone with a job is often influential enough because they may know of opportunities within their company or might be able to inquire on your behalf.
The trick to networking is being clear what you want to accomplish and successfully communicating that to people you meet or speak with. Make it clear that you would like them to search through their network for a potential opportunity for you. Finally you must give them the tools they need to help you. For high level contacts who are decision makers or one step away from a decision maker you might want to offer a copy of your resume. This will help them better understand your skills and what you have to offer. For everyone else I recommend that you have business cards made to be sure that people in your network easily know the type of position you require and how to contact you. If a resume is a synopsis of your life experience then you business card is a synopsis of your resume.
Jan Solomon recruiter for Six Degrees Network in San Francisco agrees that this approach can be helpful and says that an applicant with a business card indicates to her that the person is resourceful and prepared. Jan suggests that job seekers include keywords on their business card. Keywords are used to scan resumes for terms and words that match an employer’s requirements. These keywords might include various software applications or specific job skills. Jan further suggests that you include your job title. 
Of course you will also need contact information including phone and email. Street address is probably not essential but could be helpful. If you have an online resume, portfolio or website you might want to be sure it is included. Anything you think might help an employer or referral partner understand better what you do.
Here is a great idea from New England recruiter Vincent Wright who is also the owner of MyLinkingPowerForum.com. Vincent tells me that he owns several domains featuring his name. VincentWright.com points to his profile at LinkedIn.com; VincentWright.net points to his profile at facebook.com; and VincentWright.us points to his profile on twitter. In this way he has a short unique URL for each of his online networking profiles. Consider grabbing a domain with your name and point it to your own website or online profile as a way of easily communicating where interested individuals can find more information about you. You can search for inexpensive domain names at www.mlpfdomains.com. Then have you’re your unique URL printed on your personal business card.
Business cards are cheap, easy to give away and easy for people to keep handy. One thousand business cards will likely cost you under $50. That’s pretty cheap compared to the benefits of a job. The ideal business card says who you are, what you do and how to contact you. Take a look at online business card printers like www.vistaprint.com where you can get free business cards printed (you pay shipping) in return for having a small imprint of theirs on the reverse side, or visit your local print shop or office supply store.
Lastly get those business cards out working for you. Let’s say you have finally taken the advice of your friends and started networking. Maybe you’ve attended a local business mixer or industry meeting. You’ve probably walked around thinking “now what?” How do you do it? What do you say? Who do you talk to? Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Inquire what the other person does and seriously consider how you might help them. When it’s your turn tell him or her that you have recently worked for whatever company and state your past title or job position. Indicate that you are currently looking for a new opportunity and offer your business card. In nearly every case the person you speak with will ask you further questions. If they indicate that they are not certain how they can help, ask the person to simply hang on to your card in case they think of someone with whom you might network further. Don’t limit your networking to business functions. Give business cards to your friends and family members and others you meet. Ask them to share those cards with people they know.
This is a numbers game. Do not focus on where an individual card might go. Just think if you pass out 10 cards you have 10 new possibilities. What if you pass out 100 or 1,000? The only card that matters is the one that makes your phone ring with an invitation for an interview. This is your job now. Like any entrepreneur you need to be sure your product is known and talked about. You are in control of your future. Sell yourself.
Reno Lovison, is the author of “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” www.businesscardtobusiness.com .
Artistic Photo Business Card
I have been amazed over the years to find that a seemingly small percentage of visual artists include a photo of their work on their business cards. Just as a photo of a person might jog our memory when we see the person’s face, so too can a sample of an artist’s work. Artists tend to have an identifiable style that is as unique as a person’s face and seeing a sample of their work will most certainly remind you who that artist is and remind you of the encounter you might have had with him or her perhaps at a gallery or art show.
I recently met artist/photographer Maude Metcalf at a networking event where her photos were on display. First of all I was impressed with Maude’s stunning close-up flower photography. The result of her technique is sensual, abstract and simply beautiful. Secondly I was impressed that Maude had the good sense to include a sample photo on her business card. For those of us who have seen Maude’s work in person it is a reminder of whose card we have in our possession; and for those who have not had the pleasure of seeing her full sized work, I believe the sample is thought provoking and intriguing.Her business card is simple glossy white stock which is a good choice for showcasing her photo. The photo she chose has an otherworldly quality that makes you want to know more about this artist and her work. Maude’s website is FlorAllTime.com which is presented on her card as Floralltime.com. With my eyesight being what it is it took me a while to figure out that this URL has a double LL. I recommend to Maude in her next reprint to consider making the type on the URL larger or emphasizing the letters as I have done above so that the company name and web address is easier to read. I like that she included a tagline Lasting memories for any occasion as it helps readers to understand a little bit about what she provides. Though I think with a little work she can come up with a better tagline that captures the unique quality of her work. Overall this is a simple effective business card that is moving in the right direction.
Check out more of Maude’s work at www.floralltime.com .