Thread: what makes me want to keep your business card?

I was reading this interesting tidbit in a business book about creating business cards..you know how a lot of them end up tucked in wallets or in the trash? What would make someone want to KEEP your card?

One of the suggestions was printing a type of coupon or code that is redeemable on the back (I just did this, printed up cards that have a % discount off merch ) .

Was thinking that dancers could do something similar..keep this card and it's good for one free bdance class..or 5% off gig fee or something

has anyone done this before?

I also think the larger post card size biz cards are nice, people like to collect pretty pictures..you can amp it out a bit by autographing the back:)

I normally give a full postcard size card with decent photos. Most people end up displaying/keeping it.

Postcards seem to be the ideal option for me. I observed the items left behind after a number of seminars and shows - flyers and business cards were general rubbish but not postcards. That is when I decided to invest in postcards. I occasionally include a discount or coupon blurb. The response has exceeded my expectations.

I try to have is a montage of pictures on one side, that is usually the side to be framed. Of course somewhere in there is my name and website, insuring both my info and pictures are easily accessible.

Oh, postcards are a fantastic idea!!

You know what would be great for Raq the Camera, Azhia? Doing b & w or sepia vintage photos like those old postcards. I'd love that!

I don't know how it is for the rest of the world, but my purse is a sort of black hole into which many objects are swallowed, never to see the light again.

But if a card has a VERY cool photo and/or graphics, I'm likely to put it someplace where I can just enjoy looking at it - on the refrigerator door or a bulletin board, and it will stay there for a long time (months! years!), often seen and easily found if wanted again.

Rosette

the main reason that I hang onto a card/flyer is because I think it's pretty! I know a lot of dancer that collect postcards and display them on a wall in their home. I went to see a dancefriend this weekend and her hallway was covered in vintage cards from local dancers.

Makes me wonder wether I should get some postcards too. What are the costs compared to businesscards?

One of the reasons I collect cards from local dancers I like and keep them in a section of my wallet is so that I can recommend them for gigs I can't do and have something to show the restaurant owner, organizer, whatever...I can't do that as easily with postcards.

Good artwork sometimes will do it. If it's someone I already I know I want to take from or interests me (lives in a location where I'm moving, certain style), I will keep it

Originally Posted by ozma

One of the reasons I collect cards from local dancers I like and keep them in a section of my wallet is so that I can recommend them for gigs I can't do and have something to show the restaurant owner, organizer, whatever...I can't do that as easily with postcards.

Ditto that.

Postcards are cool--and useful in certain situations--but I don't necessarily recommend using them *in place of* business cards.

Speaking from personal experience, I often pick up postcards, take them, look at them, notice what I like about them, but in the end, they pretty much all hit the trash--I don't have the space or interest to hold onto or carry around a bunch of larger items. Business cards, on the otherhand, I hold onto pretty much forever if the person is at all relevant. They fit in my wallet or (when I get in the mood to clean out excess stuff in my wallet) in a little address book/pocket thing. So...I still have them later if I ever have reason or need to call upon the person.

For dancers I really like/work with a lot, I sometimes even take an extra business card or two and keep it in my purse. I've been known to give that person's card to someone else when it was appropriate for some reason. I wouldn't do that with a postcard--too bulky.