I had to blog about this absurdly cute item. Maybe because it is snowing and below zero in Chicago. It made me think why shouldn’t your business cards be cozy and warm? Nicole is a blog designer and weekend crocheter (that’s a person who crochets on the weekend).

Check ‘em out on her blog  Here or purchase one at her Etsy shop Here

Just think how cozy your cards will be.

Reno Lovison, author of “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” is invited to host D’vorah Lansky’s online book launch party for her new book “Connect Communicate & Profit”.

Click here to listen to the interview.

It’s funny that I am blogging about  free business cards offered by Starbucks just a day after I blogged about a coffee fragranced scratch and sniff card. Must be something in the air. Also interesting that there is constant chatter about the future of business cards yet everyone seems continually interested in them.

Admittedly the Starbucks offer is a kind of spoof. They are not really intended for business use but rather offer the opportunity to print your name, phone number and email in conjunction with a title such as  Puppet Master, Bossman and CEO of Everything.

Undoubtedly this is a thinly veiled attempt to glean names and contact information, proving once again that nothing is really free. There may be no exchange of cash but you must give something of value which in this case is the all important contact info.

For the sake of my readers I bit and squawked like a goose. Giving up name, phone, email and even address so that I could have my cards sent to me. There is an option to get a file download and print them yourself but come 0n I want the full treatment. When they arrive I may blog again to let you know how they look and if I get a free cup of coffee or something too.

Check it out and get your own at http://www.starbuckscoffeeonthego.com/card/setup.php

The title is not an error. Your business card can now be reproduced in delicious chocolate. What new prospect or client would not enjoy a piece of chocolate as a “Thank You” or welcome gift? How about Welcome to Our Team, We Love Our Customers, or any such statement? Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food traditionally used to celebrate, console and reward. Why not use those opportunities to give someone one of your chocolate business cards.

Chocolate Graphics  with world wide distribution points is one company that can make your chocolate business card a reality. The company was created in 1988, but it was not until July of 1999 when John Taylor, an international businessman bought the rights to the company, that the patents and ultimate manufacture took place. Taylor outfitted the company with state-of-the-art computerized laser machinery capable of producing 18,000 pieces of a variety of chocolates per day. Chocolate Graphis now has the technological capabilities of reproducing photographic as well as three dimensional images on chocolate. This is the perfect way to “Put your name on everyone’s lips!”  They can print virtually whatever you want on chocolate. Also if you happen to be looking for a business opportunity, Chocolate Graphics has international franchises available.

Chocolate Business Card Example

Chocolate is considered to some people to be the elixir of life. Very few people will refuse the luscious treat.”  If you thank or welcome a new client with a facsimile of your business card reproduced in chocolate you will be remembered. Your chocolate business card can be made to look exactly like your printed business card including your logo or picture. In this challenging business climate now is the time to be not only creative but original in order to acquire new business as well as keep current business.   

If you have a “Staff Member of the Month” recognition contest, the chocolate business cards are a great way to remember that employee. Chocolate is a fun way to say anything you have to say, to anyone you have to say it to. 

As always your business card represents you and carries the message and image of your company along with your important contact information. It is not intended to be kept forever. The important goal is that you make a favorable impression that will encourage the recipient to want to do business with you or learn more about your company. Once that goal is achieved why shouldn’t they eat your card? Chocolate business cards are the ultimate recyclable business card and yummy too. 

White Chocolate Business Card in Fancy Gift Box

Anything that will help you get your business card into the hands of a potential customer or client is a good thing. Something that will encourage them to keep your card and refer to it often is even better. In advertising this called making impressions. Each time a prospect sees your message you have scored another impression. Multiple impressions build your brand and reinforces your marketing message. There are number of business card related promotional products that are available to help you accomplish this goal. A successful promotional product will be retained and referred to often thus providing multiple impressions and reducing your per impression cost. To be conservative, what if you could put your message in your prospects hand for $2.00 and have them refer to it on average twice a week? That would bring your per impression price to less that 2 cents per impression. Not too many advertisers can make that promise.

Zippy Business Card Letter Opener and Staple Remover

This Zippy letter opener has long been one of my favorite business card related promotional items. It is easy to customize. Simply slip your business card behind the clear protective cover which snaps in place making it virtually impossible to remove the card.  It is a durable and useful item available in a variety of colors. Though I do not recommend doing it too often I have even opened boxes with it. This newest version includes a staple remover as well which will save your clients the pain of paper cuts and broken nails.

I have used these Zippy Letter Openers to promote my company and recipients often remark sometimes years later that they still have it and still use it. Others remark that they always know where to find my phone number because they keep this device on their desk. With the Zippy Business Card Letter Opener and Staple Remover you will make a lasting impression and your prospects will keep your message in the palm of their hand. Check it out.

I am not sure what they use on other planets but this is probably called the Universal Business Card Holder because it is the most ubiquitous business card holder on Earth.

The manufacturer claims a card capacity of fifty but I have found that this plastic display will hold about 25 to 30 cards comfortably. It is featured here in black but I have also seen them in white and clear versions. It is well designed with a center of gravity and wide flat legs that keeps it from being easily knocked over. Some business card displays are open on either side which means that cards easily fall out when someone is trying to remove only one. This display holder keeps your cards neat and tidy on your counter or desk. Since they are typically less than fifty cents each you can by a dozen and put them around town so that your business allies can help you distribute your business cards. If you are not currently displaying your cards prominently in your place of business you need to get a few of these. Be sure to bring more than one when exhibiting at trade shows, open houses or other events. This way you can leave your card in more than one place. Making your business card accessible increases the possibility of referrals and repeat business because your clients have the contact information they need. Universal Business Card Holder

Here is a business card item I really love. It is an 8 ½ x 11 inch clear acrylic sign holder with a business card holder built into the lower left corner. These are available from multiple sources online see Epinions.com,  but I have purchased them locally at Office Depot.

This is why I really love this item. First of all you can use a standard catalog page or sell sheet as the sign or primary message. If you do not have a catalog page or sell sheet you can create something in your favorite DTP program. The advertising medium is slipped through a slot on the side that sandwiches the sign and holds it in place. This is all pretty standard so far. The part I love is the built-in business card holder – - that’s because standard sign holders require that the reader of your message remember the pertinent information or have the presence of mind to make a note. This sign with the business card holder means you can make your business card available, thus drastically improving the possibility of a prospective client taking action.

The clear acrylic will make your signage look glossy and great. However these are a bit pricey at just under ten bucks. So you might want to restrict their use in public to a place that is monitored to some degree because it is just too tempting to some inscrutable individuals who would consider converting your message carrier to their own use.

I have written a review of the Rubbermaid Nesting Business Card Holder at Epinions.com. If you are in the market for a business card holder checkout the link below for information about this model.
Rubbermaid Nesting Business Card Holder

Here is a review I wrote at epinions.com with a link to a seller of a vertical business card holder. Remember that most cards are horizontal. If you have a vertical business card you might want to check this out.

This is a very handy device for displaying business cards. What makes this unique, in case you missed the point, is that this business card holder is designed to display cards VERTICALLY! Most business card holders are manufactured to display the card HORIZONTALLY. So for those of you who have VERTICAL cards (like my wife’s business The Lake Shore Music Studio) this card holder will allow you to display your card in the proper direction. This looks nicer and displays the information better. Business card holders can be used at your own place of business for sure. But think about creating alliances with other complimentary businesses, then see if they will allow you to display some cards in their store or office. An alliance like that is great for local trades people, real estate agents, chiropractors, auto repair and other service providers.

These clear acrylic holders are pretty sturdy. Typically acrylic like this is sonic welded rather than glued and stay together pretty well. Since the price is just a tad over a buck any small business should be able to afford to use them and display them around town. They are sold as 10 pieces minimum so start thinking of some places you can use them.

Vertical Business Card Holder