In the last post, we talked about the importance of updating your photo. That’s probably the most vital reason to update your business card regularly.

But that isn’t the only reason to update your card. Is your information up to date? Is your style left over from the 90’s? Are you promoting the latest opt-in to build your email list?

The answers to these questions will let you know if your business card essentials are in order, or if you’re overdue for an update. Let’s look at each one.

Is Your Information Current?

Do you have a new website, a secondary phone number, or an email address that’s not on your card? You probably know you need to update your business card if you have a new address or primary phone number.

But what about your website? Your blog? Your email address?

Or maybe you’ve recently dived into Instagram, or created a hot new profile on Pinterest. Is it listed on your card?

These types of changes are important to have on your business card. When you hand it out, you want prospects to be able to find all of your information – not just “most” of it!

Is Your Style From the 90’s?

Let’s be honest – even if your office hasn’t moved in 30 years, marketing and design styles certainly have. If your card looks like a throwback, you’re sending a pretty strong message about your business.

Unfortunately, it’s not a good message.

In a market where you need to keep up with new ways to promote and find homes for your clients, an out-of-date design shows that you aren’t that focused on staying current. That tells prospects that they can’t expect out-of-the-box thinking or new ideas from you in their real estate deal.

You don’t want to telegraph that you’re out of touch. Take some time to get a new, fresh, and modern design every few years.

Are Your Promotions Current?

If you’re like a lot of savvy Realtors®, you use freebies and giveaways to build your marketing list. You may do this in person at community events, but it’s even easier to collect information online.

Your business card should offer your freebie and invite prospects to your website for the download. Once they are there, you can ask for everything from an email address to a mailing address. This allows you to keep in touch with them going forward!

So does your card list a relevant promotion? Do people have any reason to visit your website, social media, or use your other contact information?

If not, your business card is due for an update.

Business Card Essentials Matter

Too many professionals treat their business card like a necessary throw-away. You should have them, you do have them, but you don’t care that much about it.

Be different. Stand out by having cards that are current, modern, and feature a relevant promotion. You can even choose unique shapes, materials, and formats. Make your business card essentials build your business, not detract from it!

If your business cards are long overdue for an update, don’t wait. Act now and refresh your look – your prospects will notice and your bottom line will thank you!

What’s the craziest business card you’ve seen? Share in the comments!

My friends in the Midwest tell me they’ve started to see robins, so spring is officially around the corner!

Are you ready?

More specifically, are your business cards ready?

During the spring and summer busy season, you’ll be giving out a lot of business cards. You want to make sure that these cards put your best foot forward. And the first place to start is with your photo.

You Do Have a Photo on Your Card, Right?

Do you include your photo on your business card? Why or why not?

Here are several reasons we strongly recommend including your headshot on your business card (and other marketing materials):

• Sharing your face helps build familiarity and relationship right away
• You build your brand and are more recognizable the more your photo is shared
• People connect with pictures much more than words alone

Of course, these benefits only come into play if your photo is professional and effective. You should make sure to use the same headshot on all of your marketing. Also, ensure that unprofessional images don’t appear on social media – save the party pics for your own personal collection!

When Was Your Photo Taken?

I completely understand that none of us like to age. We definitely enjoy presenting the youngest, best-looking version of ourselves.

Unfortunately, when it comes to business card photos, that approach doesn’t work. You may love how you look in that professional photo taken a decade ago, but it doesn’t look like you now. And people who want to hire you to represent them want to know who they are really dealing with.

So – if your photo is years old… or you don’t even know how old it is… it’s time to get an update. Get new professional photos. Put your current mug in the best light, and then people will know who they’re really hiring!

Who Took Your Photo?

Real estate agents love to save money wherever possible. Unfortunately, they often cut corners exactly where they shouldn’t – in their marketing.

Did you pay to get professional photos taken by a professional photographer? If not, why not? I promise you people can tell, and it looks really unprofessional.

I know a friend who tried a selfie as a professional photo. She tried, she really did. But it was awful. And when she finally replaced that photo with a professional photographer’s work, no one was more relieved than her. (Except maybe me!)

Your Image Builds Your Brand

The picture you put forward is a huge part of your brand. You want to be recognizable, and for the right reasons. A professional photo on your business card – and your other marketing materials – will help folks feel like they know you right away.

Your business card is handed out at dozens of events, during pop-bys, and through other avenues. You want to make sure it represents the best of you!

When was the last time you updated your photo? Is it professional? Does it represent you?

If not, it’s time to update your business card today! Don’t wait – the spring and summer seasons are very busy. You want time to get your business card essentials right before things get crazy.

When was the last time you updated your business cards? Share in the comments!

Do people really use – and keep – business cards anymore?

The answer is YES! But they may not keep all the business cards they receive. It’s vital to think about how you create business cards so they are notable enough to keep.

”But I never hear back when I give my card out!” 

We’ll address that issue in another blog post, but for now, just remember that follow-up is almost never a person’s strong suit. Many times, you have to be the one that follows up.

Create Business Cards That Are Useful

How do you get a prospect to actually keep and look at your business card? One way is by making it useful.

Usually, when someone creates a business card, they are thinking about themselves. They want to jam as much information about themselves onto that small space as possible!

I invite you to take a different approach. Instead of thinking just about you and your information, consider the prospect and what they’re interested in too!

The best way to do this in the small space of a business card is to have a call-to-action asking the prospect to visit a website for useful information. You can invite them to enter a drawing, download a free checklist to prepare a home for vacation, and much more.

The prospect will keep the card at least long enough to go online for your freebie – and by then, you’ve captured their email, along with perhaps their mailing address. Then the ball is in your court!

Business Cards Can be Art

There are those who take a purely utilitarian approach to business cards. The attitude is, “It’s just my contact info and a picture. I don’t have time for pretty.”

Ok. Unfortunately, your prospects may not have time to keep your card either.

One way to get your card noticed is to make it visually appealing. Consider a unique layout, design, or color scheme. Consider unusual business card materials. Go with a thicker, high-quality card.

Whatever you can do to really bring visual appeal to your card will impress prospects. Even better, it will help showcase your marketing skills. Who wants to hire a listing agent who is merely utilitarian about marketing?

Showcase Your Marketing Skills with Your Business Card

On that note, create business cards that showcase your marketing genius. Remember, it can feel like real estate agents are “a dime a dozen.” You want to stand out from the pack. One way to do that is to make your business card a showcase.

Think about what you do when you market a home. Hopefully you do more than just put it on the MLS and hope for the best! Maybe you specialize in excellent photography. Make your business card reflect that!

Perhaps you like technology and use online methods for marketing. Be sure your card includes your social media profiles and website so your prospect can take a look at examples.

The possibilities are endless. Whatever listing or property-finding approaches set you apart, find a way to showcase them on the card. And bring it up when you hand the card over! “I really enjoy marketing listings online, you’ll see some creative examples on my website. Be sure to visit!”

A prospect is much more likely to keep a business card that showcases your unique approach.

Are Your Business Cards Keep-Worthy?

Take a look at your own business card. Would you keep it if someone gave it to you? If the answer is no, it’s time to revamp! The good news is that Printerbees can help. We have tons of customizable design templates at great prices.

We can help you put your best self forward, with a business card designed to be kept!

What makes you want to keep a business card? Go to our Facebook Page and let us know!