business card distribution

[budafist]

OK, got 500 cards printed a little while ago for Budafist freelance work. Not sure how to get them out and about. I've given several to family and friends, and several for them to give to friends of theirs...Now what?

I've considered putting them up at my Dad's shop - we have artwork up there so it could be relevant.

Should I be handing out these things to every one I meet? I'd feel like a bit of a dork doing that. Maybe if you lot do it though that could convince me it's an ok thing to do.

Ta

[WannaBrie]

Maybe not Everyone you meet...but certainly people you might meet in some social situations....I wouldn't necessarily give it to the cashier at 7-11, (unless he/she happens to mention they need some graphic design!) but definitely pass them out! There's a few restaurants (mostly delis and neighborhood sandwich shops) that have bulletin boards or special places for putting business cards. Whenever I go to any of those places I always look for interesting BC ideas. You paid for those cards to promote you, so anywhere that might get you noticed by someone who needs your services is good, right? It could even turn out like a "six degrees of separation" (or was it seven?) thing!

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

OK, got 500 cards printed a little while ago for Budafist freelance work. Not sure how to get them out and about. I've given several to family and friends, and several for them to give to friends of theirs...Now what?

I've considered putting them up at my Dad's shop - we have artwork up there so it could be relevant.

Should I be handing out these things to every one I meet? I'd feel like a bit of a dork doing that. Maybe if you lot do it though that could convince me it's an ok thing to do.

Ta

You should always have them with you - you never know when someone will ask you for one.

Whenever I send out marketing materials I always include 2-3 business cards in the packet. So many times I've had clients come my way due to getting a card from someone I've sent multiple cards to in my marketing efforts.

- J.

[vanquish]

Contact your former business clients and see if they are willing to place your cards in their shops. Buy a few clear plastic card holders and give it to them to display ur cards. I find that i usually pick up and browse any pamphlets or cards on a counter while i wait to pay for a purchase.

[CamarotaDesign]

Buda, definately give them to everyone you meet, pubs are pretty good places to pass them out when you meet people.... you do like pubs right? ;)

I think a very good idea would be like what Jeff said, send a bunch of them out with a marketing kit. Design a flyer or brochure and have a direct mail agency get business mailing lists for you and mail them. You could even specialize in certain businesses, so to target your audience even better. Its a very good investment considering you could pull a few jobs that get you $1000 which would be a profit even if you spend $1000 on printing and mailing costs.

[Drazan]

Networking. Sales. Marketing.

Look for business open house, new business, see if there's any chamber of commerce meetings that's free of charge (does NZ have a chamber of commerce?). Look up target businesses in the phone book and call to arrange a short meeting on what you can do for them. See if there's any business luncheons, groups, etc. Go to charity functions.

You will get the most bang for your efforts. Handing out randomly, hanging items on bulletin boards, will return may one per 1,000 views of that card. May. Where as specifically selecting and targeting your client base will return 10-20% per effort.

So, you are a graphic designer - which means creating effective communication to sell a client's product. Well, you have just become your own client. Find your target, think it through, create a plan, execute said plan.

When I was doing freelance. probably 50% of the time was spent chasing clients.

=)
Jade

<< 4am and sleepless right now.

[vtwin_gary]

Whenever I send out marketing materials I always include 2-3 business cards in the packet. So many times I've had clients come my way due to getting a card from someone I've sent multiple cards to in my marketing efforts.

- J.


i also include a couple in with my invoices & when i pay my bills.

[budafist]

Buda, definately give them to everyone you meet, pubs are pretty good places to pass them out when you meet people.... you do like pubs right? ;)

I think a very good idea would be like what Jeff said, send a bunch of them out with a marketing kit. Design a flyer or brochure and have a direct mail agency get business mailing lists for you and mail them. You could even specialize in certain businesses, so to target your audience even better. Its a very good investment considering you could pull a few jobs that get you $1000 which would be a profit even if you spend $1000 on printing and mailing costs.

I certainly do like pubs - I handed out a few at a bar one night but then I got all paranoid that the guys I handed them out to would get the wrong idea. :eek: I guess the good thing is that both my bf and my details are on the card.

Thanks for the the advice guys.