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.

Okay so you want to make an impression.  London based company Black Astrum has garnered some buzz from the likes of Huffington Post and others on the web offering for sale, diamond encrusted business cards. Sold in packs of 25, 50, or 100 the price is about $1500.00 per card. That’s correct one thousand five hundred dollars per card. Now here’s the rub. The company will not sell to just anyone.  According to what I have read you must be invited or solicited by Black Astrum. If they feel you are worthy you can buy from them.

There are a number of marketing lessons lurking between each of these diamond chips. The first that occurs to me is the power of exclusivity. Do you have the nerve to turn down a client because their company does not fit your exclusive profile of who you want your client’s to be? Maybe we should all do that more often. Do you even have an idea of what kind of clients you want. Consider this before you just toss this off as arrogant or stupid.

As a related example, I attended an online webinar this week given by a marketing consultant that offers some of the same services I offer. I learned she charges almost $15,000.00 (fifteen thousand dollars)  for a one day consultation. Makes me think I may be selling myself a little short. Maybe we all need to be fishing in a bigger pond.

Another lesson is to ask “what does your business card say about you?” Are you just trying to get the cheapest deal you can find? Are you maybe getting a nice card but then you don’t want to give them to anyone because you determine no one is worthy? I have seen this happen often.  Would you spend $150.00 on each business card? How about $15.00? What about  $1.50?  The average card is closer to three cents and many people act like that’s too much to invest in a potential client.

The third marketing lesson is the idea of offering a seemingly outlandish product for the purpose of getting free publicity. How could you elevate your product or service to a seemingly outlandish level? What would you have to do to offer your product or service for 1,000 times the current price?

Add three zeros to your average price then ask what you would have to do to get that price. For example my book sells here for $15.00.  If you are the sole owner of your business, and have been in operation for at least two years, and are stuck trying to figure out how to market or position your product or service; for $15,000.00 you can get my book and one full day of personal consultation with me (lunch included) just email reno(at)renoweb.net for more details.

Stop and consider some of these questions. I would love to see some comments.

I enjoyed discussing the importance of business cards and their future with author and business consultant Chris Livingston. He interviewed me as part of a new book he is working on. The book will provide needed and sometimes hard to find resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs. I’ll report more when it is released. In the meantime you can learn more about Chris at TheChrisLivingston.com .

Here is a great way to put your business card to good use. “Help ICDHR Send A Student To The University of Illinois.” The Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations (ICDHR) is seeking support for their Dr. King Remembrance & Celebration Dinner. Business card sized ads are available for only $50, or you can purchase larger sizes. Your ad will be seen by over 10,000 people. All donations or ad dollars are matched by the U. of Illinois. By placing a tax-deductible ad, you’ll help provide more youth scholarships to the University of Illinois. Deadline is January 5th! For more information visit http://www.icdhr.org/ or contact my friend and colleague Lynn Sanders at lynn@parkaveproductions.com.

My friend Bob sells an entertainment video DVD for cats called VIDEO CATNIP. With every DVD purchased he includes a business card that the buyer can give to a friend saying “My Cat Loves Watching the DVD Video Catnip and I know yours will too!”  This is a great way to stimulate a referral because it gives your referral partner an easy way to pass on your information. The card includes the product  price, URL and a toll free ordering number. Think about how you might use a business card to encourage your happy customers or clients to pass the word about your product or service. Remember business cards are cheap so it does not matter how many are discarded, what matters are the few that actually get passed a long.

I enjoy clever business cards but I am not certain that they are always the best way to communicate or simply transfer your contact information. However I do think that people find them delightful and they can make a strong initial impression on the recipient. Since they are difficult to keep because they are often odd shaped or odd sized I believe that sadly many are soon discarded after the novelty value has worn off.

Here is a link to an assortment of clever business cards recently shared with me. Enjoy!

http://www.graphicfetish.com/and-another-list-of-inspiring-business-card-ideas/#comment-29866

Take a look at this nicely designed business card for TrustStudioDesign.com letter press printed by my friends at Tweedle Press.

http://www.trustudiodesign.com/blog/?p=3306