Long-time blog readers know that I look at the humble business card as the origin of “being remarkable.”
Why?
Simply because it is so commonplace.
When you hand a business card over to someone, you have a chance-at that moment-to truly differentiate yourself, send a message, tell a story.
You are different.
You are creative.
Marketing comes down to the details. It’s the small stuff that matters.
Now, while I still think that Joey Coleman has the best card I’ve ever seen, I’m in a perpetual beta effort to drive towards his standard.
Thanks to Moo.com I have created my own business card.
My strategy is simple.
Print 100, hand them out, see if people “make remarks about them.”
And, if so, what kind?
So now, I am on Revision 3.
The fronts are all the same (basic contact info), but I add the “thanks” to imply that you don’t have to take my card.
The three options are
- picture of me with a tie
- sketch picture of me (thanks to Yoni’s cool Verizon phone functionality)
- a guy listening, since I call “listening the new marketing.” (He was the only one on the back of Rev 2 and it gave me an opportunity to answer the question of “why is this guy on your card?")
I’m leaning towards #1 or #2 now.
Thoughts?
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Comments
Dave Weinberg said on 10.26.2008 at 11:21 PM
If you could recreate the guy with the headphones, only it be you.... I'd go with that. Same image, just your face.
Getting my new card in the mail tomorrow, I went with gotprint.com this time. A bit cheaper, you'll have to let me know if you like the results.
Bethel Nathan said on 10.26.2008 at 11:57 PM
I'd agree with Dave in that the guy listening is most intriguing and relevant, but better you than him. If it was that picture, I wouldn't do it, as it's not clear at all why it would be there. If you could recreate it with you, I would.
If you can't recreate that picture, I like the sketch of you the most, although none really speak to me.
My first reaction to the card with your picture in a suit and tie is that you are a real estate agent - that's the norm for so many of them.
Beast said on 10.27.2008 at 1:46 AM
a sketch of you (w/ the glasses and the tie) with your ear to the ground, and a team of horses galloping in the far distance.
Adam said on 10.27.2008 at 1:12 PM
Jer:
I don't like any of the 3. I do agree with Dave et al but I'm not sure the headphones is the best you could come up with. It's a bit passive. Are you saying you're the listener? How does that jive with you being a marketing navigator. This is branding confusion.
Gadi said on 10.28.2008 at 11:42 AM
I think random guy evokes more of a response then if Jeremy had the headphones on. But, there is the personal brand to remember.
What about this. Similiar to the I met Joe at ... with the check boxes.
I am connected to Jeremy though
_ MySpace
_ Facebook
_ Twitter
_ LinkedIn
etc.
Guy down the street said on 10.29.2008 at 12:44 PM
I like the idea of having a remarkable business card. None of the three current alternatives get me very excited. I would recommend going with an image or icon that is not you -- marketing is about the client/customer, right? How about a visual relating to one of the best WOM efforts that you know? Then you can facilitate a discussion about a topic that helps you sell yourself.
jeremy said on 10.29.2008 at 4:08 PM
I really like all of these comments and I am getting a good visual for the next rev.
A living example of why community can be valuable.