Free Business Cards
From Millioneurowiki
[edit] #1: Pick a Template
Exposure is everything to a successful blog. Once people have found your blog, you are halfway there. The more that you weave marketing into your daily routines, the more momentum your blog will have. There are many online marketing opportunities, such as social media marketing – and these are great – but many bloggers overlook the power of offline marketing.
Perhaps the easiest offline marketing method is the traditional business card. For ages, these have been used to help create a more lasting impression with the people that you meet. The reason why business cards have been used for so long is simple: they are extremely effective.
Think about how much more impressive it is to slip a business card out of your pocket or purse instead of fumbling around for pen and a torn piece of paper to jot down your URL, email address or MySpace page. Plus, torn paper typically ends up in the trash. People collect business cards so frequently that they make special folders to store them in.
[edit] Business cards are simply a great way to promote your blog offline
Even better, you can get 250 business cards for free from VistaPrint, the “catch” being that you’ll have to pay for shipping, which is typically just a few dollars.
Isn’t it worth a few bucks shipping to give it a try?
250 cards mean 250 opportunities to get a new reader or RSS subscriber or another person to follow you on Digg.
The first step in promoting your blog with free business cards is to select a template at VistaPrint. They have over 40 professionally designed templates. You’ll want to pick the one that closest matches the impression that you are trying to convey with your blog.
For starters, take a look at the templates that are available over there.
[edit] #2: Decide what to put on your card
One of the great things about VistaPrint is that there system is quick and easy to use. Within just a few minutes you’ll get to the point where you can actually preview your card online. When it comes to providing the text to put on the card, all you need to do is fill in the blanks and use the on-screen preview tool to see how it will look.
If you want to really optimize the business card for the new media, don’t feel too boxed in by what VistaPrint calls the fields. Just because it says “fax number” doesn’t mean that that is what you have to put there. Be creative. Some suggestions are:
- Your Yahoo or MSN Messenger usernames.
- Your Facebook handle or your MySpace page.
- Your Digg or StumbleUpon username
- A forum you frequent, with your alias.
- Your Skype name or number.
Take a look at the examples to the right for a few ideas.
[edit] #3: Microadvertise by getting your cards in the right hands
Once you get the cards from VistaPrint, you’ll want to get in the habit of carrying a few of these around wherever you go. They can really com in handy, for example when meeting someone new at a café or in line at the post office.
Keep an eye out for opportunities to place your card. For example, many universities have “message boards” where people can post information of interest to students. If that is your demographic, tack one up.
Particularly adventurous people have been known to accidentally “lose” a few in choice locations in town – say tucked into an appropriate book at the local library, or in a doctor’s waiting room.
The most important thing is that when you have business cards with you, you are always prepared to quickly promote your blog in whatever chance encounter falls your way.
Give it a try and get your free business cards today.
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