January 5, 2014

The World’s Best Business Card… Seriously!

by Bruce and Josh Hudson

Greetings and Happy New Year all you Photographic Entrepreneurs out there, Bruce and Josh Hudson here! With the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 upon us, a lot of goal setting and resolutions come to mind for everyone. For us as business owners, it’s time to reflect on the past year, look at your numbers and see where you can improve on your bottom line next year. It’s also time to start getting your marketing plan in place for the upcoming year. A lot of photographers who have studied with us over the years always ask, “What is the best marketing thing you have done this year?” Isn’t that a loaded question? Our answer is usually a combination of several different marketing mediums and ideas, it’s never just one thing by itself. But this time I’m excited to be able to answer with just one, cost-effective and affordable thing… The World’s Best Business Card!

We have 4 websites, we use an email marketing program and several different cards/brochures, just to name a few. But, after all these years and the countless ways to market, I can say that hands down, one of the best pieces we have ever created is our business card. I know what you are thinking, “Seriously guys, a business card?” LOL, I know, but we are dead serious!

During the economic downturn a few years ago, we decided to make some changes in our business to stay competitive and revamp our brand. Included was a new logo, website and overall feel of our business, we even moved locations for the first time in 25 years. We went with a Teeny-Tiny Tri-Fold Business Card instead of a traditional front and back. The amount of positive reactions we get when we hand this out is mind blowing! We’ve even delivered portraits months after the first meeting with a client when the card was handed to them, and the card is still sitting on their kitchen counter. “I don’t want to throw it away, it’s too pretty”, one client said.

On Jan.6^th we will be featuring this little marketing gem during the first episode of a new Web TV Show we host call Photo Entrepreneur TV at www.mystudiomentor.com, check it out!

Bottom line in today’s ultra-competitive marketplace and challenging economy, you have to stand out and build value for yourself and your business. Having a flimsy, thin, & white business card is not going to cut it people! Here are 4 reasons why this makes such a HUGE impression:

It’s DIFFERENT! Not many people hand out mini, tri-fold cards at networking events, it’s always a hit!
There is a TON of Real Estate! We are in the image business and we have 3 sides showcasing the type of work we do on this card, it makes for a great first impression!
Direct Response Marketing! There is so much room on this card we were able to put our logo, our contact information, and even a fun opt in for a free $50 gift card! If they scan the mobile tag on the phone it takes the client to our Facebook page, when they LIKE our page they get a $50 gift certificate!

To see more about the World’s Best Business Card and more examples from us on how we use it to book more sessions, check the Marathon Marketing Moment segment during the first episode on Jan 6th of Photo Entrepreneur TV at www.mystudiomentor.com!