Even in the age of digital media, business cards are one of the most cost-effective, simple ways to market your business. Use any of these business card marketing tips to be sure your cards stand out in any situation.
Create a Noteworthy Business Card Design
Let’s be honest. Marketing with business cards sometimes falls flat because the cards might not be all that exciting. They get stuffed in wallets and forgotten or, worse, tossed in the trash.
Spice up your cards with an eye-catching design or an unusual size. Include fun trivia questions related to your industry or share a riddle and print the answer on the opposite side. These large-format business cards offer room to print customer testimonials, which are shown to have an 89% effectiveness rating over other forms of content.
Think Beyond Business Cards for Business Marketing
Why not forego the business card altogether and print your business information on a coaster, a magnet, or a bookmark? Perfect for strategic business marketing in small groups, this creative business card marketing tip can help shape your reputation as a forward-thinker and a practical business owner. Best of all, if you print your business card on a coaster, your associates will think of you every time they raise their glass.
Use Your Business Card as a Loyalty Card
To create business cards your customers will want to keep, combine your loyalty card with your business card. This folded loyalty card gives you plenty of room to print all the information that would appear on your business card, plus space to punch holes for every purchase.
Perfect for hair or nail salons, coffee houses, auto mechanics, and anywhere else that solicits frequent, repeat business, loyalty cards help you foster solid relationships with each of your customers.
Design Business Cards for Different Customers
There are tons of ways you can activate local business marketing with your business cards. You may hand out cards at networking events, leave them in stores for people to find, or tack them on bulletin boards in high-traffic areas. Design two sets of business cards (or more) for the many demographics your business appeals to.
Embrace Every Business Card Marketing Opportunity
Have you thought about a separate set of cards for personal marketing? You may find yourself at family events or parties where you aren’t necessarily looking to make business contacts but want to be prepared, just in case. Mini-format business cards are perfect to hand out at get-togethers and networking events to make sure people remember your name and have a way to contact you.
Share Your Favorite Causes
Today’s younger buyers, including Gen Z and millennials, believe in conscious consumerism and seek to support companies that align with their own values. More than 80% of millennials expect companies to make a public commitment to good corporate citizenship. Show your commitment by personalizing your business card with the logos of causes you support.
Add a QR Code to Your Business Card
QR codes are a newer, high-tech way to track your marketing efforts. You can only fit so much information on your business card. Include a QR code on your business card that takes people directly to a landing page on your website. When they visit, you’ll know they got there via the code so you can track your efforts and see which networking events – and even which business card designs – are most successful.
To create an added incentive for people to visit your website, offer a discount accessible only by scanning the QR code.
Invite People to Share Their Love for Your Business
Referral cards and business gift certificates can also take the place of business cards in some situations, sharing information about your company to entice new customers. Your current customers sharing the gift certificate or referral provide positive social proof about the quality of your business.
The best business referral cards include a discount for your current customer and for a friend they referred. Make sure your referral cards and gift certificates reflect your company brand with a customized design.
Which Business Card Marketing Tips Do You Want to Try Right Now?
Having creative, professional business cards can open a whole new world of marketing opportunities. You can attract and retain all kinds of new business when you keep things fresh, creative, and concise. Adopt any of the above tactics today, track your results, and you may just be surprised by the return on your investment.
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