3 Quick Thoughts on Business Cards for Bloggers
I received my new business cards (that I had created very quickly) and I had a few thoughts that I wanted to share about business cards in general.
Not ground-breaking, by any stretch of the imagination; more food for thought.
Sitting on my wireless keyboard.
Again, as I mentioned in the video, I’m not a business card guru (like this guy) and I’m not the guy to ask about business card advice, but here are 3 things that I feel are valuable to remember when designing one:
- Keep the message very simple and explicit – make it “dead obvious” what you’re about!
- Pertinent information (not too much!). Name, Blog URL, and Twitter! I’m not about to give my phone number or email on there simply because I want them to goto the blog!
- Add something memorable, unique; something that expresses who you are!
What say you?
Rounded corners FTW!
Any chance of having another of your famous giveaways here on Tentblogger?
of course. yes. very soon.
I had a similar approach last time I had cards made. I only had my name and a logo on the card. When I handed my card out, I would just tell them to google me. It seems to work great!
yeah. i had a google card for a while!
Thanks for the tip! I see a video widget in the sharing button options. Did you do that?
i’m sorry, not sure what you mean….?
It went away. My screen error-my apology.
Great looking card.
You flipped the card 26 times during your video.
I know know both sides of your business card very well.
Now*
holy cow. you counted…..?
It’s a brave move to have a Business Card without your digits on there…not sure I’m convinced on the wisdom of that.
J
some people it really works i hear.
some people “think” (?) it really works i hear.
“for” some people… whoops.
I think it depends on the blog.
If your goal is to attract new readers to your blog, then there’s no point in providing your phone number.
Give them your name and url.
A good ad on the radio isn’t going to include as much contact information as possible – it’s going to make sure you remember the phone number.
One piece of contact information.
Can you imagine: “call us at this number, check out our blog over at double-u double-u double-u dot thisthat dot com slash this, slash that, follow us on twitter over here, watch our videos over at youtube, like us on Facebook, and find us on the web over here. Come to think of it, I think I’ve heard a few like that … eek, #BadMarketing #RadioIsDead
That said, If you’re providing some sort of service, you may want to consider providing your phone number – human to human interaction is a powerful tool when it comes to building trust and making sales.
I think it all just depends on your blog, and whether you’re looking to make personal connections, business connections, or build your readership.
#2cents
dude. the double-u had me rolling!
I still have the business cards I won from ChurchCrunch a year ago
Though there isn’t a very big need for business cards in the college scene haha.
hah!
John, Love the post BUT more importantly love your link to the Super Turd Joel Bauer. SNL couldn’t write something that funny. I hope you’re not related and I’ve just offended you. How did you hear about him?
hahah. not sure where i found that…… but it’s awesome!
Just a few weeks ago I did a search for business cards for freelancers, so this post is certainly timely for me.
In my search, I found a great post from Freelance Switch that shared some unique business cards designs:
http://freelanceswitch.com/general/18-smokin-hot-business-card-designs/
Some of them are way out of my league, but too freaking cool to be ignored!
Some really cool cards there, Meg. I’m paying attention too to see if they include telephone #s, and this selection all seem to. I’m still convinced in the bricks and mortar flesh & blood business world, if want a business card to bring you BUSINESS, you still need the digits. Anything else is too oblique, even now in 2010.
We Tentblogger readers maybe all web’d up and iConnected in every way imaginable, but we can’t assume all our potential clients are equally savvy.
I KNOW you can take the heat, Mr Saddington!
J
hah. i get a lot of heat. especially from my daughter.
Me too! My kids may look like Angels, but they drive me nuts sometimes
J
all in a days work.
that is awesome! great find!
I do like the simplicity of your business cards, but I think I would have added a QR code to the side with your contact info. Either a link to your site or an easy way to add your contact info to their address book.
ah. but i had a link there…?
True enough. I find I like when I can zap a QR code with my mobile rather than keying in information. My iPhone has made me lazy, but I doubt I’m the only one. Plus I think it’s a cool way to apply the whole “call to action” thought process away from your website.
i’m going to have to look into this.
Great advice! I have a marketing background and this was right on…..
where did you get your avatar?
I own a sign company in Alpharetta (Signs By Tomorrow) and my designer made it for me last Christmas.
sweet! do you know @dewde….?
We were in the same small group last year and we live in the same neighborhood…..
AH! yes. sweet! did you know that i live in his basement? just temporarily, of course!
yikes. small world.
Nice…I think their is a hula video of you going around
yes… there definitely is….
Actually the guy in the video is a jerk. There are two schools in business card thought, one is to be professional and the other is to be different, unique. As a trainer in business etiquette, I advocate professional. But for someone working in a creative field, you can set yourself apart by showing your creativity. The jerk in the video dies not understand there are timeless guidelines to business cards, and things professionals look for – and his ” card has none. He’s like a guy showing up for a black tie formal dinner wearing a disco shirt and gold chains, saying, “See this tux? It’s crap, see my neon platform shoes? It took me 25 years to learn how to do the hussle in them without falling.” I like your card by the way, it’s very John Saddingtonish!
michael,
glad you said it… because i know that pretty much everyone shares the same sentiment…!
how is your biz etiquette startup doing? love to hear!