Now, I am by no means an innovator in writing about this, but it’s something that is interesting to me. Yesterday Matt over at Life Without Pants had a post about being memorable. In it he showed his business card, which is very similar to mine (it’s really cool). It gave me the push to finally finish this post (it’s been a draft for a while now) and send it your way. Oh yeah, and check out Matt’s post.
If you are like me, then you simply cannot go by one title. I have my regular job, I am a blogger, I help people start blogs and I have a life outside of all that. A single business card simply could not contain everything that I would need it to.
I have a little problem with business cards. It’s like, “Great! Take this, never look at it, put it on your bedroom dresser, and throw it away in a couple years! Thanks! Oh, and can I get yours?”
Sure, there are a lot of times when the giving of a card is genuinely helpful, and the information will be used. But to me it’s just a boring formality most of the time. As usual I have to be a little “different” and try something a little wacky. I love turning formalities into non-formalities. It’s a hobby.
So here’s an alternative:
Carry around a few blank business cards and a mini-sharpie on your keychain. A normal pen would really work fine too. When you want to give someone your business card, just fill one out. Here are a few examples of mine, and my handy mini sharpie and blank cards.
Some reasons to do this:
It’s something people won’t forget. It might help you push through the business card clutter. Every few months I clean out my wallet, and most of what I throw away is business cards and stuff of that nature. Maybe seeing a business card that is unique will cause people to hold onto yours. It might even remind them to give you a call!
It saves money. Traditional business cards can cost money to design and print. I’m a penny pincher, and you probably know that if you’ve been reading this blog for a while. My super-low-budget business card strategy saves me a few bucks to put towards fun stuff.
You can be whoever you need to be at any moment. Like I said before, all in one day I can be a “real job” employee, an online business owner, a blogger and whatever else I feel like being. Having the opportunity to whip out a business card for any of these situations is a big help.
You can personalize it for the individual you are giving it to. Putting the person’s name whom you are giving the card to adds great little touch. Or you can simply use “DUDE” like I did in the example card. Draw a quick little picture, make it fun.
You can put a fake name and information to escape a weird situation. I say this jokingly. I think.
If your personal brand (I know some people hate that phrase, sorry) is a little on the non-traditional side, this can enhance that image a lot. With that being said, if you are someone who is worried about your professional image and what people think about you, this probably isn’t for you.
So if you want to be unique, try this. And next time you say, “Take my card,” it will turn the formality into fun.
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You’re dead on: you have to standout or you’re dead. We just created new biz cards without our proverbial website printed on them. Instead, we offer individualized Google search terms. Mine is, “I’ll raise you a rabbit.” We’ve already seen a dramatic increase in traffic to our website through our teams’ individual landing pages. Check it out.
This is a pretty innovative idea Nate! I am impressed.
You should call them un-business cards.
I love this. You should actually consider putting together a package of nice, clean, clear business cards and sell them with that kind of Sharpie. I think a lot of people would go for that, especially at conferences (oops, I forgot my business cards!)
haha man this is totally awesome. I’m contemplating ideas for business cards for my trip in a few months, because I really just want to leave interesting cards in all sorts of places and get people to notice it.
Definitely going to make a few posters, put them up at backpackers and places where I stay, try to get some offline attention :)
This seems like a fun and cool idea, I’d actually just make a few of the same ones in advance so you can just give them to someone if you are in a super rush.
Cool post Nate! :)
Great Nate! I was just out networking with a friend of mine and he had a similar idea, but instead of just for him, he wouldn’t take other people’s business cards, he made up some ridiculous story about keeping his files organized and liked all his business cards to match, so would they mind creating a unique one with their info using this assortment of colored sharpies and paper?
Some odd looks, but really hilarious and generally positive response.
Hey Nate, great idea. I don’t have business cards because I hate them, but you solved the problem! They also feel more human at my eyes.
Cool idea. The one downside is that you’ll always have to have a pen handy. Watch for ink stains on your trousers. ;)
Park – I think what you are doing is a great idea. I checked out your landing page, very cool. Individual landing pages is a great way to get people where you want them to be faster. Thanks for the comment!
John – Un-business cards… I like it. Thanks for stopping by.
Colin – Not a bad idea, my friend. Sitting at conferences and taking advantage of all the forgetful business people, that’s finding a niche right there.
Diggy – Sounds like you’re on the right track with your ideas! It’s all about standing out. The posters sound like a great idea, as a lot of travelers can probably really connect with what you have to say. Thanks!
Kristin – That’s quite the funny story! It’s one very unique way of dealing with the business card issue. People like that kind of uniqueness though, no matter how off the wall it might seem. Thanks for sharing that!
Oscar – Thanks, glad you like them!
Gordie – I thought it would be a downside having to always carry that Sharpie around, but it actually is really easy. It is very small and fits right on my keychain, which I always have. And as for ink stains, the cap on this sucker is SO HARD to get off, so I don’t see that being a problem. Thanks!
LOVE this idea. Absolutely brilliant.
My penmanship is horrible, though, so perhaps not ideal for those of us who only type these days!
This is fun and very interesting on the person you apply it to. I’m sure to do this, as what you’ve said above, people will never forget. Very unique. :-)
Great idea – I can dig it. Most especially love Park’s business’ idea! Good stuff keep it coming.
Very cool idea. Downside: Now everyone will do it and it won’t be original anymore. :P
But seriously: That is one of the best business card ideas I’ve ever come accross. Whipping out a blank card and writing on it immediately makes getting these cards extremely memorable.
Andy – Glad you like the idea! And don’t worry about bad penmanship, it just makes it all the more unique :-)
Walter – Thanks! Try it out and let me know what the reaction is like.
Gabe – Thanks for the comment and stopping by!
Shane – Glad you like the idea too! Very true about the originality problem, at that point I guess I’ll just have to come up with another crazy idea.