A few days ago, W.C. bought my ebook on how to get copywriting clients. I then learned via Twitter that he was going to his first Internet marketing seminar, and that he needed business cards fast. Here’s what he wrote:
Business cards are one of those things you don’t normally think about until you really need them. And when you don’t have them in a networking situation, it’s painful.
What I told W.C. I’ll tell you.
If you need business cards in a pinch, then I recommend Overnight Prints. Your order can be at your front door in 1-2 business days if you want.
This is not an affiliate link. I’ve designed and ordered cards from Overnight Prints before, and I’ve been very happy with them.
In fact, I’ll be headed to a business meeting in Dallas in a couple weeks, so I just ordered some new business cards this morning. And I ordered them from Overnight Prints.
How to Design a Business Card
The principles that apply to all forms of direct response advertising apply to business cards as well. Don’t think of them as a way to convey your contact information; rather, think of them as a way to generate a response.
Here are some ideas for making your business card actually work:
Tip #1. Offer a free gift to drive people to a web site where you can capture names and email addresses.
Tip #2. Include testimonial(s) to build credibility.
Tip #3. If you make a claim, be specific. It’s more believable.
Tip #4. Use both the front AND the back of the card to double your “word space.” (You wouldn’t set aside half of a full-page advertisement for “white space.” Don’t do it with a business card either.)
Tip #5. If you’re a service professional, and you don’t have a retail office space where clients visit, then don’t include your address. It’s a poor use of space.
So what might such a business card look like?
To show you, I’ve included the front and back of the business card I created this morning.
- Ryan’s New Business Card – Front
- Ryan’s New Business Card – Back
As you can see, the first part of my card is an offer to get my free conversion booster check list. The call to action is to go to this blog.
I could have sent them to a specific opt-in (squeeze) page… but in this case I decided sending them to my blog was good enough.
I then include my primary contact information. I omit my address since it’s not necessary to my business.
On the back of the card, I include two testimonials from people who have name recognition.
For the call to action, I send them to read “all 32″ of my testimonials on my blog. I use specificity to increase believability. I think the use of the number 32 creates some curiosity, too. I can imagine a person thinking, “Who else gave Ryan a testimonial…?”
Anyway, business cards can be an excellent tool if designed correctly and used in the right environment. Hopefully what I’ve shared here will help you the next time you create some business cards for yourself.
-Ryan M. Healy
{ 13 comments }
Thanks Ryan, I didn’t know about them. I’ve used VistaPrint pretty often.
At some events I’ve seen people have special cards done to target the theme of that event in particular — could make sense in the right circumstances.
Love the use of specific testimonials, great use for the back.
P.S. What’s the cool bottom pop-up you’re using?
Becki
Awesome Ryan, and great resource. I think many folks don’t look at the biz card as just another direct response medium, but more as a “name recognition” device.
I’ve only known one other marketer to touch on this aspect of the biz card, he actually has a small pamphlet in the size of a biz card! Awesome.
Thanks for this post man, definitely something to consider when I get my biz cards made up.
Great business card ideas, Ryan! Thank you!
Janet
Hey Ryan,
Awesome tip on the testimonials. I never even thought of that for a business card haha.
I’ll be making them for my book sometime this year (whenever I start going to seminars n stuff probably), and will definitely do that.
I’ll have to do that for copywriting business cards as well.
Thanks again man!
Jeremy Reeves
I was just going to make the same comment that Becki already made about having business cards made for specific events. If I’m going to a seminar or workshop, I’ll usually order a box or two of cards designed to target the people who are going to be at that event.
eg. For a traffic generation even I might have a card that talks about my ability to generate website traffic, and the fact that I’m open to JV’s or partnerships of some sort. For an affiliate marketing event I might have a card that sells my affiliate marketing experience.
The cost of a box or two of cards is minimal compared to the profit potential of one good deal. I just think of it as another form of advertising, no different than PPC, banners, etc.
Overnight Print has heavier card stock than Vista Print and the gloss is shinier. I’ve used both.
4 color two sides and gloss is about $60 per 1,000. They will send you a sample pack of business cards, post cards (large and small). I expect that the flyers they produce would be excellent, too.
Everytime I get some business cards done, I think about adding a testimonial. I am getting ready to do some now. Thanks for the reminder.
John
Ryan,
Great tip on Overnight Prints. I’ve used them several times for business cards and they’ve never let me down.
More than once, I have found myself needing new business cards before attending a networking event. Either I’ve run out, or have decided to change my cards. Sometimes I don’t remember far enough in advance.
In these cases, I have Overnight Prints ship the cards to my hotel.
Art: The glossy coating is a nice touch and makes for a very distinctive, firm card if you do both sides. If you go with rounded corners, it almost feels like a credit card!
Problem is, it’s hard for people to write directly on the card if they want to make notes about you. I’ve experimented with having the coating put on only one side. I’d love to hear your experience.
Darrel
Great comments. Thanks so much.
I want to draw attention to two tips suggested above that I think are worth repeating:
1. Get business cards made for specific events. Use the card to target the specific audience at that event. (This probably also means you’ll want to order your cards in small batches.)
2. If you really need business cards fast, ship them to the hotel where you’ll be staying at. (Awesome tip, Darrel!)
And here’s one more suggestion I forgot to mention in the main post…
3. Consider adding initials to the end of your name. Not only will it make you look more credible, it’s also a great conversation starter.
Example:
Ryan Healy, M.D.R.C.
People will assume you have some certification or degree; this lends credibility.
If a person asks what it stands for, you can say, “It stands for Master Direct Response Copywriter.” And then chuckle. The person you’re talking to will probably laugh, too.
This isn’t appropriate for everyone to use, but it works really well in certain niches (like coaching).
Ryan
Haha, I love that tip about kind of “making up” initials.
That’s a great idea!
Jeremy
Wow Ryan you put a lot of effort into this guide, great and useful for those who need a quick solution! JP
Pretty interesting idea including 'customer' referrals on the back of the card.
Pretty interesting idea including 'customer' referrals on the back of the card.
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