Habits for Better Blogging in ’07 – Trading Cards

By on December 27, 2006 in Blog Coach with 9 Comments

Over these last few days of 2006, let’s cover a few ways to lift your blogging efforts to a new level in 2007.

Trading Cards

Card_1Everyone gets a business card. Everyone. I carry them loosely in my shirt pocket so I can quickly offer one to everyone I meet. Then I hold my hand out. If they don’t give me a card back, they owe me a dollar.

Print your blog address on your card. We’re coming out with new cards in 2007. One side is the information for our company, the other side has the blog address and logo.

Before you excuse this as a lame habit (or one that doesn’t fit blogging), one that we should already practice (wanna bet I tally over $200 next year because people don’t carry business cards?), let’s think about it.

If blogs are, in part, about extending your voice and network of customers and collaborators…don’t business cards do the same offline?

Be generous with your cards, giving them to:

  • Customers (One person told me he already has nine. I asked why he was being stingy with them)
  • Prospects
  • People who aren’t prospects but might know of someone who needs your card
  • Students (be a mentor and show them a good habit)

Write a note on your card (an offline, mini-blog post?) before you hand it over.

Habit 2 for Better Business Blogging in ’07: Trading Cards

When you offer your business card to someone, you’ve let them know they are important to you. And though we still haven’t turned on the computer, handing your card out is similar to leaving a comment on someone’s blog.

Related Elsewhere:
- How Can I Help You? at Thoughts and Philosophies
- Networking is an Acquired Skill at Duct Tape Marketing

Previously:
– Habit # 1: Recognize and Record

Follow on Twitter or Facebook or on Google+

Find Your Social Media ROI

I hear it from a lot of business owners: “Where is the ROI with all this Social Media?“ If this is a question you ask yourself, maybe we should work together a bit more. We can work together solo, or via a professional learning community. Find and increase your ROI. There is a “there” there.

About Mike Sansone:

All Posts by
  • Larry Hendrick

    Mike, I can’t wait to meet you in 2007 just for the card exchange. Have a super terrific new year!

  • http://thoughtsphilosophies.com Carolyn Manning

    Writing a note on the back of the card would definitely add more memory to the meeting. Thanks Mike. I’ll be doing that. And thanks, too, for adding one of my posts to your related-reading list.

  • http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress John Richardson

    As someone who works extensively with business cards, I want to thank you for your suggestion. I like the $1 charge. Unfortunately I would have given away lots of money in the past because of a lack of business cards in my wallet.
    The printer is printing… with blog address!
    Thanks for the great idea!
    John
    P.S. Saw your blog on the Z-Meme list

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >Larry, I look forward to our meeting! I’ll bring dollar bills and business cards:-)
    >Carolyn, Another good reason to carry the pen, yes?:-)
    >Hi John, Thanks for finding us through the Z-list…maybe that should go on the cards too? I look forward to getting one of your cards someday soon (or a buck:-))

  • http://www.maryschmidt.com Mary Schmidt

    You can also print your own customized business-sized cards depending on the meeting attendees, audience (a relevant blog post, with “to read more go to:” ); Five tips for starting a business; 3 things to NOT do in marketing; 3 things to know when doing a VC presentation,etc.) to pass out along with or in lieu of your biz card (your judgment call on that one.) I’ve found people like (and keep) them.
    Of course, always, always with your contact and blog information on it – but keeping in mind your fancy-schmancy logo and even your name isn’t the most important thing on the hand-out. If necessary, leave off your snail mail address and use the space for a WIIFM value point.
    P.S. If you’re not at least somewhat talented in graphic design, keep it very simple – otherwise, it looks like – well – you made it yourself and you’re cheap.)

  • Phil Gerbyshak

    Cool idea Mike. And I like the thought of getting $1 back if someone doesn’t have a card. Perhaps a quick course in designing a business card is in order? Mary says keep it simple, but how simple is simple enough? What sorts of WIIFM statements would you want to add? Sounds like something for our Converstation conductor to discuss! :)

  • http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/bloomberg_marketing/2007/01/biz_cards_still.html Diva Marketing (Blog)

    Biz Cards Still Are In Play

    Divo Mike Sansone, ConverStations is running a series on better blogging in 2007 .. or how to give some lift to your blogging efforts. What I especially liked was Mike’s inclusion of the taken-for-granted-old-fashion business card. In addition to addin…

  • Go Cards

    Go Cards

    Sure, maybe gift cards are a little Comparison Shop for Fisher-Price FisherPrice

  • http://www.printsmadeeasy.com MikeB

    I would reccommend http://www.printsmadeeasy.com for any business cards you need, they have a pretty cool designer there that lets you upload your own design

Stop SOPA