Get a Unique Business Card

John Moore of Brand Autopsy likes to say that your marketing should "earn an opinion." One of the easiest ways to earn an opinion in a new relationship is with your business card. Get creative and make your card unique.

For example, John Moore's business card is a toe tag,

Waco, Texas real estate broker Andy Sheehy fashioned his over-sized business card after a sporting event ticket.

For my own business card, I decided to make it look like my logo icon and went with a round business card. It costs a little bit more, but it earns an opinion every time I give one.

When making your business card unique, think about using both sides of the card. Make a statement on the front, put the important contact information on the back.

How can you earn an opinion with your business card?

Need marketing ideas specific for your business? My company is The Marketing Spot and I help entrepreneurs and small business owners develop marketing plans and strategies. See my website for more details or give me a call: 254-399-8093

For more small business marketing advice, please see my small business marketing strategy blog: The Marketing Spot. You can also listen to my podcast: Power to the Small Business, where I discuss strategy and tactics with some of the brightest minds in marketing.

A Different Way to Do Door Hangers

Using door hangers as a marketing tactic is an intrusion, there's no way around it. It's like saying, "I just intruded on your space to get you to buy my stuff." Instead of gaining customers, you might actually drive them away. Why not do it a little differently? Help your customers get smarter.

For example, let's say you own a nursery and landscaping company. Distribute a list of the 10 Flowers That Best Withstand the Summer Heat. Or 7 Tips to Keep Your Lawn Green. Or Three Landscaping Ideas That Won't Break the Bank. You get the picture. Help your customers, don't just try to sell them stuff.

Once you've helped the customer, you now have the right to ask them for business. End with a call to action or a discount. At the bottom of door hanger place a coupon related to the tips. You might also create a special page on your website with the helpful information and print that web address on the door hanger.

How to do get your door hanger:

1. I recommend that you use a local graphic designer to design your piece. This should cost between $100-$200.
2. Use an online printer, they're much cheaper than local printers. You can print 500 door hangers for as little as $125, including shipping, at online printers such as Print Place.
3. Diligently keep track of your results. Count the exact number of coupons that get redeemed. Ask people how they learned about you.
4. If it works, use the tactic regularly, but no more than once per month. Each time you do, change the helpful information with new advice.

Need marketing ideas specific for your business? My company is The Marketing Spot and I help entrepreneurs and small business owners develop marketing plans and strategies. See my website for more details or give me a call: 254-399-8093

For more small business marketing advice, please see my small business marketing strategy blog: The Marketing Spot. You can also listen to my podcast: Power to the Small Business, where I discuss strategy and tactics with some of the brightest minds in marketing.