Category Archives: Merchandise and Books

This area will showcase an assortment of business card related books and merchandise available from various sources.

3D Printed Business Card Accessories

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My brother recently got a 3D printer which caused me to get online and see what sort of things he might be able to manufacture. My search resulted in a few interesting business card related gadgets.

How about a braille business card writer? This simple device will allow you to easily emboss any business card sized piece of paper with your company contact details in braille, making you instantly ADA compliant, and delighting your visually impaired friends and business associates. As a former president of the Chicago Uptown Lions Club I found this device particularly interesting. It is probably one of the more complicated devices I found but also one of the most innovative. Likely not a good choice for your first project however you might want to check this out then “press” it into service.

Braille printer for business cards

https://pinshape.com/items/34568-3d-printed-braille-business-card-writer

I was able to find plans for a few different business card holders. This first one is basically a small business card sized box with an opening on one side for easily getting ahold of the cards. Kind of like a little recycle bin. It also has a small channel on the rim where you can slide in your card for display.

3D printed business card box with display channel

https://pinshape.com/items/64798-3d-printed-business-card-holder

The next desk accessory was an attractive negative space cup-like design for holding pens, pencils, letter openers, plastic sporks, an extra pair of reading glasses or whatever. The base has molded slots specifically designed for holding various digital media storage devices like portable USB flash drives and also SD cards. On the side is a rectangular space for business cards.

3D printed desk accessory

https://pinshape.com/items/38602-3d-printed-businesscardpenusbsdmicrosd-holder

The last of my list is the most simple design, utilizing the least amount of plastic material. Basically a kind of wire-frame that allows you to display about 20 cards upright in a traditional manner where they can be easily viewed and offered. The plans include a vertical as well as horizontal display option.

wire fram 3D printed business card holder

https://pinshape.com/items/32686-3d-printed-business-card-holders

Look around a let me know if you find anything else of if you try printing one of these options.

Networking Book Included DIY Marketing Package

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We are happy to announce that our popular business networking book has been included in a new Do-It-Yourself marketing package.

Refer-Alls is a manufacturer and distributor who offer a magnetic product that allows business owners to quickly and easily turn their paper business card into a magnetic business card. You just peel and stick.  This is a perfect option for businesses that need a small quantity of magnetic cards quickly.

We created a special revised edition of “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” to be offered in this unique package.  The book is presented as at DIY marketing guide that will help small business owners, contractors, and local service providers network more effectively, generate more referrals, and remain top of mind with potential customers and clients.

Currently this unique package is being offered exclusively to retailers. For more information contact Refer-Alls, Inc.

 

DIY Custom Imprinted Card Card Holders

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My buddies at Card Cues just came out with a Do-it-yourself imprintable version of their POP business card holder. If your marketing strategy includes placing a number of your cards at various venues where they can be picked up. Card Cues has a great solution and the addition of this DIY customizable version which allows you to create and print your own design is extra cool. Take a look at the detail on their website.

Keep your business cards cozy

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I had to blog about this absurdly cute item. Maybe because it is snowing and below zero in Chicago. It made me think why shouldn’t your business cards be cozy and warm? Nicole is a blog designer and weekend crocheter (that’s a person who crochets on the weekend).

 

Check ’em out on her blog  Here or purchase one at her Etsy shop Here

 

Just think how cozy your cards will be.

Starbucks Free Business Cards

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It’s funny that I am blogging about  free business cards offered by Starbucks just a day after I blogged about a coffee fragranced scratch and sniff card. Must be something in the air. Also interesting that there is constant chatter about the future of business cards yet everyone seems continually interested in them.

Admittedly the Starbucks offer is a kind of spoof. They are not really intended for business use but rather offer the opportunity to print your name, phone number and email in conjunction with a title such as  Puppet Master, Bossman and CEO of Everything.

Undoubtedly this is a thinly veiled attempt to glean names and contact information, proving once again that nothing is really free. There may be no exchange of cash but you must give something of value which in this case is the all important contact info.

For the sake of my readers I bit and squawked like a goose. Giving up name, phone, email and even address so that I could have my cards sent to me. There is an option to get a file download and print them yourself but come 0n I want the full treatment. When they arrive I may blog again to let you know how they look and if I get a free cup of coffee or something too.

Check it out and get your own at http://www.starbuckscoffeeonthego.com/card/setup.php

Business Cards Good Enough To Eat

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The title is not an error. Your business card can now be reproduced in delicious chocolate. What new prospect or client would not enjoy a piece of chocolate as a “Thank You” or welcome gift? How about Welcome to Our Team, We Love Our Customers, or any such statement? Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food traditionally used to celebrate, console and reward. Why not use those opportunities to give someone one of your chocolate business cards.

chocolate-card-gold-boxChocolate Graphics  with world wide distribution points is one company that can make your chocolate business card a reality. The company was created in 1988, but it was not until July of 1999 when John Taylor, an international businessman bought the rights to the company, that the patents and ultimate manufacture took place. Taylor outfitted the company with state-of-the-art computerized laser machinery capable of producing 18,000 pieces of a variety of chocolates per day. Chocolate Graphis now has the technological capabilities of reproducing photographic as well as three dimensional images on chocolate. This is the perfect way to “Put your name on everyone’s lips!”  They can print virtually whatever you want on chocolate. Also if you happen to be looking for a business opportunity, Chocolate Graphics has international franchises available.

Chocolate Business Card Example

Chocolate Business Card Example

Chocolate is considered to some people to be the elixir of life. Very few people will refuse the luscious treat.”  If you thank or welcome a new client with a facsimile of your business card reproduced in chocolate you will be remembered. Your chocolate business card can be made to look exactly like your printed business card including your logo or picture. In this challenging business climate now is the time to be not only creative but original in order to acquire new business as well as keep current business.   

If you have a “Staff Member of the Month” recognition contest, the chocolate business cards are a great way to remember that employee. Chocolate is a fun way to say anything you have to say, to anyone you have to say it to. 

chocolate-card-dentist-boxAs always your business card represents you and carries the message and image of your company along with your important contact information. It is not intended to be kept forever. The important goal is that you make a favorable impression that will encourage the recipient to want to do business with you or learn more about your company. Once that goal is achieved why shouldn’t they eat your card? Chocolate business cards are the ultimate recyclable business card and yummy too. 

White Chocolate Business Card in Fancy Gift Box

White Chocolate Business Card in Fancy Gift Box

Make a Lasting Impression

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Anything that will help you get your business card into the hands of a potential customer or client is a good thing. Something that will encourage them to keep your card and refer to it often is even better. In advertising this called making impressions. Each time a prospect sees your message you have scored another impression. Multiple impressions build your brand and reinforces your marketing message. There are number of business card related promotional products that are available to help you accomplish this goal. A successful promotional product will be retained and referred to often thus providing multiple impressions and reducing your per impression cost. To be conservative, what if you could put your message in your prospects hand for $2.00 and have them refer to it on average twice a week? That would bring your per impression price to less that 2 cents per impression. Not too many advertisers can make that promise.

 

Zippy Business Card Letter Opener and Staple Remover

Zippy Business Card Letter Opener and Staple Remover

This Zippy letter opener has long been one of my favorite business card related promotional items. It is easy to customize. Simply slip your business card behind the clear protective cover which snaps in place making it virtually impossible to remove the card.  It is a durable and useful item available in a variety of colors. Though I do not recommend doing it too often I have even opened boxes with it. This newest version includes a staple remover as well which will save your clients the pain of paper cuts and broken nails.

I have used these Zippy Letter Openers to promote my company and recipients often remark sometimes years later that they still have it and still use it. Others remark that they always know where to find my phone number because they keep this device on their desk. With the Zippy Business Card Letter Opener and Staple Remover you will make a lasting impression and your prospects will keep your message in the palm of their hand. Check it out.

Universal Business Card Holder

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Business card display holderI am not sure what they use on other planets but this is probably called the Universal Business Card Holder because it is the most ubiquitous business card holder on Earth.

The manufacturer claims a card capacity of fifty but I have found that this plastic display will hold about 25 to 30 cards comfortably. It is featured here in black but I have also seen them in white and clear versions. It is well designed with a center of gravity and wide flat legs that keeps it from being easily knocked over. Some business card displays are open on either side which means that cards easily fall out when someone is trying to remove only one. This display holder keeps your cards neat and tidy on your counter or desk. Since they are typically less than fifty cents each you can by a dozen and put them around town so that your business allies can help you distribute your business cards. If you are not currently displaying your cards prominently in your place of business you need to get a few of these. Be sure to bring more than one when exhibiting at trade shows, open houses or other events. This way you can leave your card in more than one place. Making your business card accessible increases the possibility of referrals and repeat business because your clients have the contact information they need. Universal Business Card Holder

Action Packed Sign Holder

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Here is a business card item I really love. It is an 8 ½ x 11 inch clear acrylic sign holder with a business card holder built into the lower left corner. These are available from multiple sources online see Epinions.com,  but I have purchased them locally at Office Depot.

 

Biz Card Sign HolderThis is why I really love this item. First of all you can use a standard catalog page or sell sheet as the sign or primary message. If you do not have a catalog page or sell sheet you can create something in your favorite DTP program. The advertising medium is slipped through a slot on the side that sandwiches the sign and holds it in place. This is all pretty standard so far. The part I love is the built-in business card holder – – that’s because standard sign holders require that the reader of your message remember the pertinent information or have the presence of mind to make a note. This sign with the business card holder means you can make your business card available, thus drastically improving the possibility of a prospective client taking action.

 

The clear acrylic will make your signage look glossy and great. However these are a bit pricey at just under ten bucks. So you might want to restrict their use in public to a place that is monitored to some degree because it is just too tempting to some inscrutable individuals who would consider converting your message carrier to their own use.