Push business cards or let people take them on their own?

[Encrypted Existence]

Hello all. I work full time in another field (retail) and my boss let me put a sign up on the front door and business cards on the counters. My question to you guys is should I give my card to customers (push them) or just let them pick them out of the card holder on their own (not push them)? Sometimes when I hand a person my card I get the impression that it will go straight into the bottom of their purse or in the trash. I know that may not always be the case but I am really not sure what to do. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[coffee]

I always carry business cards with me and when I talk to people or get a hair cut or whatever my dealings I give them a couple business cards.

I think that if you left them on the counter they will be there mostly at the end of the day (or week). If you force them on people then you can atleast go outside at the end of the day and pick them up.

My customers always get a few and places like - where I get my car serviced or pickup drycleaning always gets a few. I even leave them on tables if and when I eat out.

I have found that putting them on a tack board with other business cards does not work. To think about it, I never look at those boards anyways.

my .02c anyways.

 

[Mr I]

If you give 50 business card you might get 10 clients and lose 40 cards.

If you let them take them, you might get 2 clients and lose 0 cards.

Do you rather lose 40 cards and welcome 10 new customers or lose 0 cards and welcome 2 customers?

 

[BryanLee]

They are cheap. If you lose 500 and get one customer then you made money. I pass out cards absolutely anywhere it is appropriate.

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[Slaters Kustum Machines]

They are cheap. If you lose 500 and get one customer then you made money. I pass out cards absolutely anywhere it is appropriate.

I would agree with this as long as it is going to far with your employer. I understand that they allow a sign and allow you to put your cards out, but somewhere there has to be a line. If all is good in that area hand out as many as you can.

 

[NerdHouse]

They are cheap. If you lose 500 and get one customer then you made money. I pass out cards absolutely anywhere it is appropriate.

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Quick question, where would it be inappropriate? I often go to places and wonder if it would be OK to leave my business card. I always want to leave my card after eating out like someone mentioned above.

 

[coffee]

Quick question, where would it be inappropriate? I often go to places and wonder if it would be OK to leave my business card. I always want to leave my card after eating out like someone mentioned above.

Well, Something probably like standing outside "Best Buy" and handing them out is kinda not appropriate. Stuff like that.

As far as "Losing business cards" goes they are meant to be passed out. But its all in how you do it I suppose. I just dont go "Here take a card". When Im talking to people (some call it networking) I always give them my card.

How about this? Leave one at a restaurant that you finish eating at and on the back write "Jeff, Be sure to go here. They do alot better job. Love sis".

 

[BryanLee]

I agree coffee. If you can't sell yourself and your services then the card is generally a waste. Thats not to say that you won't get a call off of a random placement, but it is usually seen as littering (not advertising) when you leave your cards where they are not wanted. When i come to my car in a parking lot and see flyers on it, I hate it. Even if it was a service that I could use, I probably won't.

You can always print a coupon on the back of your business cards. That may encourage people to actually use them for something other than leveling up the kitchen table.

 

[NerdHouse]

Well, Something probably like standing outside "Best Buy" and handing them out is kinda not appropriate. Stuff like that.

As far as "Losing business cards" goes they are meant to be passed out. But its all in how you do it I suppose. I just dont go "Here take a card". When Im talking to people (some call it networking) I always give them my card.

How about this? Leave one at a restaurant that you finish eating at and on the back write "Jeff, Be sure to go here. They do alot better job. Love sis".

Awesome stuff, will give that a try lol.

 

[NETWizz]

I don't think this is about the price of the cards.

I think it is about not wanting to be obnoxious.


My thoughts (only my opinions) are if you meet & talk to somoene/consult with them... give them a card... put them on the counter for people to take.

Anytime you give someone a receipt, a document, or anything... paperclip a card in... Make sure that when someone leaves they receive at least two cards.

 

[NerdHouse]

I don't think this is about the price of the cards.

I think it is about not wanting to be obnoxious.


My thoughts (only my opinions) are if you meet & talk to somoene/consult with them... give them a card... put them on the counter for people to take.

Anytime you give someone a receipt, a document, or anything... paperclip a card in... Make sure that when someone leaves they receive at least two cards.

Great info, that's what I was asking about. What do you think about say after receiving a hair cut or after receiving another service from someone else? Say DirecTV comes to your house to repair something, would it be advisable to say hey man, thanks for coming to fix this, if you ever need computer help, give me a call!

 

[NETWizz]

Great info, that's what I was asking about. What do you think about say after receiving a hair cut or after receiving another service from someone else? Say DirecTV comes to your house to repair something, would it be advisable to say hey man, thanks for coming to fix this, if you ever need computer help, give me a call!

Only my opinion (again), but I think it depends on what you talk about while cutting hair & the general chit-chat/small-talk when the Direct TV man is over.

If you get talking about computers (or problems with computers) and someone mentions they are having trouble... yeah, give them your card.... If someone says something like, "I am looking for a place to service my daughter's broken laptop..." give a couple of cards.

********

However, if you are just getting your hair cut or having the DirectTV guy out, that is probably obnoxious.

How would you like it if someone came into your work and started talking to you and gave you their hair-cutting card?


Just use common sense, but don't become a pest like a door-to-door salesman. If you are trying to get word out, there are much more clever ways to advertise...

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Look up some of the posts by CallThatGirl; she has an awesome billboard!


Wherever your business is, make the sign PROMINENT and make it light at night! A LOT of people don't feel comfortable bringing their computer to a no-name business or a very small operation. It is the same with people not wanting to let you drive off and take a computer back to the work-bench. IF you have a work order and proper paperwork, a uniform, your name in the yellow pages, and on the car... people are fine. If you are some guy working out of a basement, they presume you might steal their computer and never return with it.

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

Well, Something probably like standing outside "Best Buy" and handing them out is kinda not appropriate. Stuff like that.

While I do not often go to Best Buys because we dont have a local one, I do go to Staples fairly often for binding of proposals and random office supplies. In one instance, I witnessed an EasyTech giving a lady a hard time because she wanted a replacement power adapter for a laptop a dog had chewed. They were really pushing her to buy a new computer, and it was clear that it was not something she was exactly prepared for. The EasyTech slipped away and I handed her a card and told her to call me when she got tired of not getting what she wanted. Ten minutes later, she calls, and remarkably I have a brand new OEM adapter in my mobile kit. I literally have gained 20 fairly regular customers because this lady was so thrilled.

Some people might not approve, but it was just something I felt I had to do. Paid off for everyone except Staples in that case.

 

[Xander]

Look up some of the posts by CallThatGirl; she has an awesome billboard!

One that, as I recall, she never got calls from.

Signage is important but be careful where you put your advertising dollars.

 

[coffee]

While I do not often go to Best Buys because we dont have a local one, I do go to Staples fairly often for binding of proposals and random office supplies. In one instance, I witnessed an EasyTech giving a lady a hard time because she wanted a replacement power adapter for a laptop a dog had chewed. They were really pushing her to buy a new computer, and it was clear that it was not something she was exactly prepared for. The EasyTech slipped away and I handed her a card and told her to call me when she got tired of not getting what she wanted. Ten minutes later, she calls, and remarkably I have a brand new OEM adapter in my mobile kit. I literally have gained 20 fairly regular customers because this lady was so thrilled.

Some people might not approve, but it was just something I felt I had to do. Paid off for everyone except Staples in that case.

I guess I wouldnt argue the point there. You get these places abusing their customer base and I would probably do the same. I like helping people and clearly thats what you did. However, Soliciting in front of or inside competition I do frown on as a general rule. Exceptions are if they are getting ripped off as she was clearly being ripped! GOOD JOB!

 

[callthatgirl]

Yep, unfortunately X is right. The billboard was awesome and something I probably won't do again. I did though end up getting a call from the 2nd largest business in town asking us to do subcontracting for their IT department, mostly helping with back end work; virus removals, upgrades, wiping, training, etc. I wrote up a simple proposal and they said a few days ago that they had the budget cut.

The IT Director drove by my billboard everyday, so if their budget wouldn't have been cut, and we won the bid...that billboard would have paid off. Now it's back to zero.

I'm not afraid to try something that might work, then I learn lessons....that's how it goes.

 

[nesrinamb]

I always go out and give them where ever i go since their so cheap that getting just one client pays for an entire 250 cards and still gets a profit

 

[dgast]

Cards

You should absolutely give out your cards. Just say "If you ever need computer repair, please give me a call." Give them your best 30 second sell job. Just make sure of one thing, you do a great job on any repairs you get from handing out cards there so it does not reflect badly on your employer. If it goes well it will reflect well on your employer if not it could get you the axe.

Good Luck!!

 

[Dameize]

I dont have any personal experience doing it but I know from past experience of receiving them even if im not really interested theres a good chance it will end up in my pocket then when those pants are washed probably on my desk or kitchen bench and then it tends to lurk around before being put in an appropriate location. Chances are even if theyre not interested it will linger and potentially get used.

 

[nesrinamb]

FYI when i give out business cards I always mention some business clients that are well know since in their mind if the big business in town uses you for their repair jobs then it gives me some credibility. But remember to make sure that the big clients allow you to mention them.