Will your client remember you years later because of the card you gave them?
Seriously, I can only think of three cards that were given to me years ago that I remember vividly.
One was made of wood veneer and was from a man that owned a lumber company. This was presented to me in the early 80's. Back then something like that was truly original.
The second presented to me in the late 80's was a white card that was 4" x 4" that had a family crest and the name below.The rest of the room was empty so the person could write a note or phone number on it. I loved this one because it looked very European and screamed high class!
The third card was a white card with the name embossed across the top and the phone and address in light gray near the bottom. I was at an event in Phoenix and a lady there gave me this one. I really liked how it was embossed without color. It just felt nice. It looked rich and elegant.
Funny how these three cards have stuck in my head all these years. I think I still have them somewhere in a box up in my Mom's attic. I did put a little thought in my present card by using a caricature of me so I will never grow old. Just imagine...me old and I will never have to change my picture. Now it has become my logo. People do recognize it in our area. I think I will use it in different ways from using the best features of the other cards I liked. I could emboss my logo on a white card and use the gray type. I still love that idea.
Here's one I found called a growing business card. That's quite unique! I could make one of these using Bluegrass seed from Central Kentucky. Maybe from a Kentucky horse farm.
As professionals we all spend time on a business plan and then working our business. The business card is an afterthought and others put it together for us. Do you want someone to remember you long after you hand them your card? Spend the time to set yourself apart from the pack. First impressions are sometimes the only time we have with a new person. Present your card like it is a part of you that represents your style and character.
In a class a few months back on Chinese and Japanese culture we were told to present the card in both hands turned toward the recipient like a gift. That simple gesture stuck in my brain! I do that now with my cards to everyone. I want them to remember how I presented it to them. I want that moment to stick in their heads! Wow! A Kentucky Realtor! I want to be legendary not just ordinary. I want them to remember my card years from now. I know it's just a thought, but I am spinning it out there. Are you working on this too?
Lizette Fitzpatrick - Baby Boomer Real Estate Relocation Specialist with Prudential Don Foster in Richmond, Kentucky.
Rated number #1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com. Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun! For more information on Lizette, Kentucky Horse Farms, Prudential Don Foster, Madison County, Fayette County, Richmond or Lexington, Kentucky click on Lizette.us.
See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky real estate experience.
Great advice...I try to always make fresh exciting looking cards. I can't remember where I read it. But they said get 60 biz cards out of your collection. (other peoples) and arrange them on the table in front of you. Close your eyes and then open them, where did your eyes go to? Most likely colorful or bold, with a picture and maybe even one that is vertical.
I kinda like the way your card is displayed in the picture... Neon against black.
Lizette, this is very timely. I'm about to order new cards and I liked your thoughts on the whole thing. One of my partners has been collecting cards that she'd like us to take ideas from, and we've come up with something that presents us as a team and yet keeps our own identities. I think it will work well.
The Bluegrass idea is a fun one!
Itruly believe that a personas business card says alot about the individual.A cheap cheese card says the individual is cheap and uncaring. A very nice stiff card says a person is serious baout their line of work and their work ethics.
Sean Allen
The Mortgage Professionals
Charles - I liked the idea of that one. I give out small packets of bluegrass seeds to my out of state clients so it might work for that.
Ronald - I agree. Sometimes just giving them a card is the only contact we will have. Good to make it count.
Bob - What a great idea! I haven't thought of doing that.
Sarah - I'd love to see what you come up with. I'm into tweaking mine a bit too.
Sean - I'm with you on that. It's funny how we equate success with even the thickness of the card stock.
Carole - I actually had another artist draw my caricature because I didn't feel I could make it fun enough. One of my friends came up with the idea for me so I could make them unique. Here is the full version...
Lizette, your paintings are so BEAUTIFUL !!! Wow, you have great talent.
I'm starting to work on a new business card design as my website address has changed so I need new ones....
I love the link you gave to the 'growing' ones...kewl idea.
The caricature is neat ! what a good idea.....
Jo
Hi Sally - I know it's hard to come up with new ideas. Good to hear from you!!
Jo-Anne - Thank you! Those paintings are part of my legacy.
Vincent - My mind never sleeps. I'm sure this present card will evolve into another one.
Lizette - I love your card idea - hey I have a favor to ask - could you email me a larger photo of your profile photo - I would like to do something similar with my hair :o)
Lizette - I have heard about the presentation of handing someone your card, but had forgotten until now. I think I will try it. I really do believe it does make a difference! I have a friend whose card has her face on the front, and when you turn the card over, the text is backwards and the photo is of the back of her head! Quite clever and I will always remember it! Probably because it made me laugh so hard. My card is simple, it's the one that we all do everyday. Have you ever written down a phone number on a piece of paper or a postit, and forgot to write the name of who it is? Then you find it a couple days later and wonder who the heck it is? I always have to call the number just to be sure.... here's my new card, thanks for the idea! LOL!
Carole, I thought I had told you that. I guess I must have left that out somehow. I've done so many things in my life but the art is a big part of who I am. Hope you have some fun today!
Thesa - I'll send one over to you.
Brad, your card is so elegant and understated that it shouts, "CALL ME NOW!" I love it!!
In my line, I leave stacks of my card a lot of different places.
I've got mine set up on heavy stock as a business card/flyer on one side and a billboard with picture on the other. I leave the billboard side facing up/out when leaving cards. It gets picked up.
Kinda skewed because of the size configuration but you get the idea.
Lizette, at our last AR get together a week or so ago, some of us had a spirited discussion on whether or not to include photos on the business cards. Your business card solves that dilemma. I never heard about presenting the card with both hands. I like that. Will try it out.
By the way, I absolutely loved your art website. You are very, very talented!!!
Erby - You should have more business than you can handle. It will leave you no time to go fishing.
Irina - Thanks! I agree it does solve the picture on the card dilema. I just wanted mine to be timeless.
Brad - I still do some of my art when I have time. I have a moto ...if you can take a picture of something why paint it. Hmmm..a cd cover might be cool enough to bring me out of retirement. We can talk about it.
Quite frankly, I've been very blessed this summer. I was turing away business up until a week ago. But then Labor Day week has always been slow.
And there's always time for fishing, family, etc. I just schdule it appropriately.
That's some really neat art you have there. I like it. Unfortuantely, I have a hard time drawing a stick figure, let alone something someone would recognize.
Is Your CD Cover Legendary or Just Ordinary?
You got me really thinking now Lizette, thanks!
Erby - I'm not too good at drawing either. I do like to paint and design. Although I haven't done much of it since being in real estate.
Susie - We inspire each other! If you change yours send me one...
Karen - I understand your thought on this. Our marketing materials are a reflection of our personalities. I would think that my clients see that I am fun-loving like my logo. It has put them at ease that I am approachable I think.
Brad - I'd love to help you if I can. I'm not a famous artist (at least not till I'm dead). I took a look around your Rock blog! You are REALLY good! I would have been one of those head-banging groupies down on the front row back then. I used to go watch my brother play in his band. I usually took the pictures at the gig. Life was sure simple then....your previous wild hairdo is in style now again!
In regards to using the broker's domain e-mail, y'all might want to read this blog I put up a while ago. Some of you may have already readi it.
"How Not to Lose Leads & Referrals"
I hope it gave some food for thought on how they are doing business.
I'd bet they go along with the pack busines cards and using the broker's domain website e-mail just because they don't know any better and don't want to "make waves". Who knows!
I thought about using the CD business cards but couldn't find anyone who'd actually ever stuck one in their computer and read it.
So How do you like my Business card? It reflects the way I feel right now. Ha
Erby - I guess I did the right thing purely by accident. I'm the same way about the CD's...I never check them out.
Alan - I love your card...so original and you look so serene!
You should see me after I have had a good banana bath.
Lisette: I know that Fitzpatrick is your maidan name but you may be interested to know that the Kirkpatricks and Fitzpatricks have a long friendly history. Besides ancient times in Scottland, more recently my Great Grandmother (dads grandmother) was a Fitzpatrick who married a Kirkpatrick. They told her she gave up her Fitz for a Kirk. Ha
I really like that your favorite business cards are simple and elegant. Some people forget this and try to pack way too much information on their business cards. People are now so saturated with information 24-7 that a simple, blank space means a lot. One of my favorite cards was a simple picture of a realtor, his name, and phone number. That's it. No title, no company... Nothing. Basic, but I still remember it to this day.
Great post Lizette, I will remember your post next time I need to design business cards.
John Dye
Alan - That's almost like marrying your cousin. Which is done quite often in the South. In the end we will all find out we are related anyway. See...you and I are related because of all the mixing and matching.
John - I agree with you. I have one card that I use for my art business that is merely my signature sideways corner to corner on the front in black on either white or a color background. Then I just jot down what I want them to know on the back. Phone number or website.