Biz Cards Still Are In Play
01/02/2007
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 adding your blog url (have you updated yours?) Mike suggests writing an offline, mini-blog post (a little note) before you pass your card along.
Diva Mary Schmidt's comments (on Mike's post) suggest we incorporate some value-add information. I loved her idea about "a relevant blog post, with "to read more go to:" Mary says that even more important than your name or contact information is a WIFM (what's in it for me) value point.
In bloggy fashion let's spin Mike's idea and continue the conversation ..
A wise, highly successful sales guy once told me it was "better to get some one's card than to give your own out." The thought was - few people actually follow-up but rather just "collect" cards. Card collections usually end up in a nice box or a nice pile on your desk or in the nice pocket where you put it upon receipt.
Girlfriend, you can drool over the chocolate, stare through the shop window at the latest Jimmy Choos but until the connection is made .. it's wistful dreams. The relationship and biz opportunities are in the follow-up. Think about it .. how many cards have you given out and how many people have actually contacted you?
- And how many cards have you taken and followed-up on?
- And how many cards have you given out to people who you hoped would Never contact you but did?
- And how many cards have you taken and forgot who the person was or why you even took the card and what you were suppose to follow up with?
- Tip: write the date, event and what you intend to do on the card right at that moment in time. Not only will you never be faced with the what was I suppose to do syndrome, but it's rather impressive that you're taking the time to jot a few notes about the conversation.
- And how many cards have you seen that did not have complete contact information and dahling that includes both web and blog urls.
- And how many cards have you seen that are a screaming disconnect with the brand?
- And how many cards, from the same company, have you seen where the design .. logo too .. were totally different?
Your Feedback Please& Thank You!
Speaking of biz cards ..
Diva Marketing biz card was created by the talented Peter Fleischer, The Blog Studio, to extend and support the brand of Diva Marketing Blog. I love the design but recently I was told that the martini glass might put off some corporate suit types for biz development (and Max does like expensive doggy cookies!).
I can't quite decide which direction to go in. Martini glass in? Martinin glass out? Since the blogosphere helped develop the look and feel it seems appropriate to ask for your feedback. Also, as of this second now Diva Marketing's blog skin will not change. Should the martini glass be zapped from the biz card?
Sidebar: This post was also written to demonstrate how the conversation from one blog post continues using linking, trackbacks and comments.
