Does a blogger need a business card?
Published May 2nd, 2008 in Inspiration.Brian Yerkes is compiling a collection of business cards of bloggers on his site, and I thought I would throw mine into the pile. I happen to have a business card because of my design business, and my blog is listed prominently because it’s sort of “Randa Clay Central” when it comes to my design work.
Would I have a business card if my blog was about something like basket weaving, for example? Yes… here are just a couple of reasons:
ProBlogger lists business cards as the #1 way to increase readership through offline methods.
Chris Garrett notes in a recent post from SOBCon that he seemed to be the only blogger there without a business card. These are some of the most successful bloggers in the business, and they all have found value in having business cards.
Business cards for your blog do not have to be expensive. For months I have been meaning to get some MooCards for my FreeStuff4Kids site. I run into other parents all the time at parks, doctor’s offices, etc. who would be potential readers of the site. Having some cute little MooCards to hand out would be ideal. (Now I just need to get my butt in gear and get them printed…)
Do you have a business card for your blog? Have you found them to be useful in building readership? Be sure to stop by Brian’s site to get inspired as the collection of business cards grows.
By the way… if you were thinking of dropping by for a visit at the address on the card, you’ll not find me there- we’ve moved. Thought I’d mention… just in case. 
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68 Responses to “Does a blogger need a business card?”
- 1 Pingback on May 8th, 2008 at 7:36 am
- 2 Pingback on May 8th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I used to have a bunch of moo cards and people really love them, I have never known business cards that people actually want to take from you like those
Yes - I def think bloggers should have cards and they come in really handy when you are looking to get complimentary service at hotels, resturant etc. you can promise a full blown review and a lot of times you get the best service.. give it a try!
Great post - thanks!
I don’t like any kind of business cards because when you move or if there is any other change you have to 1) fix them and 2) print them again.
A business card without a physical address (URL only) can solve the issue
I like your card, i think is very clean
Thanks for sharing, Randa. I’ve never used moo cards, but am thinking of giving them a shot for my new blog.
Very much thankful to you but never was know of these moo cards and also buisness cards. But would like to know about these cards in detail and also their usage.
Of course you need business cards! I think everyone should have them!
Well at the moment I am advertising this one article. So it may be too early for me to use business cards. But you article have made it a future job.
I only have business cards for my website, not my blog. I probably should have them for my blog too, as I could see how that would increase readership!
-Andy
Only if you want to treat your blogging like a business…or I guess if you want to feel important. If blogging is going to be your primary source of income, why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of off-site seo and networking?
That is actually a great idea! Love the card design BTW.
I was considering making some fliers to pass around, but business cards are a much better/professional idea.
I def think bloggers should have cards and yours is really nice. Nice and clean design!
-Jeff
Totally believe that it’d be a great tactic for bloggers to carry business cards. Too many times have I said or heard ohh I write in this blog @ something .com and totally forget by the time I’m back home in front of a computer.
I think i would have a business card if i didn’t even have a web presence, i like to find different swarve/cheesy ways of handing it to people wherever i go.
Iv found that most people who design their own don’t seem to get it quite right.
I think bloggers should have business cards. Amongst other things we run a website development/hosting company and we definitely don’t rely on online methods to get to know people.
A blogger could be at a party talking to someone with similar interests and decide to share their blog. In this situation writing on a napkin isn’t the best look, so why not hand over a business card? Seems logical to me.
Geez, why didn’t I think of that! I think sometimes I get my head too buried in the digital sand so to speak, that I lose track of the offline world. Business cards do seem so old fashion, but anything that’s been around that long as survived for a reason. Good tip.
Megapixels,
I think we all do. for us, we spend so much time ‘digitalising’ clients’ processes which do save them time and money, that it takes an effort to keep perspective and realise that not everything is best done online.
Personal interaction is the very basis of human nature, and sometimes we do lose sight of this.
That’s a good idea. I have thought about getting business cards, but just haven’t made it a priority. You have inspired me to finally go get some made. Thanks!
I have never used a business card and I never will. To corny for my taste.
Too corny for your taste? Shouldn’t it be whether it’s too corny for your potential clients’ taste?
I’m not confident enough having business card with my blog in it. I’d rather state only my mail address
Having a business card as a blogger would definitely be cool. It can pump out traffic to blogs if the blog/website URLs are in there.
It is a great idea - can’t believe I never thought of it.
I had never heard of Moo Cards before so just popped over to have a look - love them! Thanks for spreading the word
I make my own biz cards, very affordable, look professional. I have a good printer, and buy Avery cards at Office Max. I include them in every single order, and always have them on hand to distribute.
I’ve heard of Moo cards…..off to check them out!
Nice business card! I collect them.
On my next redesign of my hobby card, one that says I collect business cards, I plan to add a link to my blog on it as well as my main site. I like the design of your card and that it is vertile. Since I collect I have connections with some printers that charge me great rates for printing too. Thanks for this post!
Moo cards! Those have really taken off, haven’t they? I never would have thought of getting business cards for my blog, but it is a neat idea for sure. I just might do that once I get my own domain for my blog.
Using them at business places and promising reviews - that’s a great idea! Going to file that one away in the dark corners of my brain.
Business cards for blogs. hmmmmm…. Actually it would be a brilliant way of getting free advertising. Leaving your card in a pub, hotel, on the train. People are going to be curious and visit your blog.
I just started a blog. Yeah a business card might help like Funked says. I could leave some at the bars, hotels, etc.
I don’t like any kind of business cards because when you move or if there is any other change you have to 1) fix them and 2) print them again.
click chat
I should really purchase some business cards
I think I’m missing out on all the fun of exchanging with other bloggers..
-Mike
Having a blog that is mostly for fun rantings I personally would not get cards but I think it’s a great idea and if I ever where to become good enough at blogging so I could quite my day job I would definitely get some.
I couldn’t live without business cards.
Getting out and meeting people, in person, is one of the most effective ways of building interest in anything you do - not just blogging . Why else would so many internet marketers, developers, bloggers etc…. - attend real world conferences?
As always, it’s about relationships and being part of a community - online or offline. Business cards are just a simple tool of reminding people who/where your are.
If you click on my name for this comment, I took you to a post of mine, business card tips. Most of them are tips about getting your business card out and about. Once, I get my card designed, I will post it up here.
We don’t have a blog….yet. It’s on our list of things to do for our business. But we do have business cards with our web addy on them. = )
I would feel too silly trying to give out cards but I suppose that if you have a great blog you should promote it. Until I do, I think I’ll hold off the cards
thanks all of idea
business card is necessary, but sometime it cost a lot, we need to redesign, edit the content, print it, it cost money…
but we need to promote online and off line, YES, we need business card.
Thank you!
As they say “Luck is Prepared Chance”. A business card could never hurt if the right introduction is presented.
I was actually toying with the idea of having business cards for quite sometime. But again, was a bit skeptical. Now, I think, I should go for it!
Nods, printing and design can be expensive, but if you look in the right places you can find great prices on them. But, some newer ways of having business cards is having it online. A lot of people are adding them to signatures of e-mails and on Web sites. They look like the same size as business cards, but done as a graphic. Some the whole thing is a graphic, while others have copy-paste-able text on it. Some designers, like me, can get good with some printers and get great pricing on printing. Then, you also have design fees. Some places I see they are out outrageous what they charge and I am surprised that people pay that much for it. If you research, you can usually find great deals. That is what I do. When I have to get something printed, I research my known printers I use and even find new ones for the best rate possible, so that way I can make it cost less for my client too.
yup, business cards do help..nice way of offline promotion..your card looks great..
I think i should make one business card for my blog. This is such a great idea. Another way to increase readers. Thanks for the tips. Great cards by the way..
I think cards with your blog url to promote your blog is a great idea, I will definitely look into it. I’m no designer but a place where I used to work we had graphic online cards, they looked great and very professional.
My answer is Yes. We should be proud of our blogs and anyway, all bloggers have their distinctive personal brands to show in a name card.
You’ve certainly twisted my arm on the business card or not question. I run a couple of blogs, one that is becoming quite successful, so a business card can only be good thing for further promotion, particularly when engaging clients in other factors of our business.
i dont think so. maybe if you run bussines blog, but blog is in most cases something personal…
Business cards for bloggers is a wonderful idea. Nice to see a human with such a highly evolved brain. I plan to order business cards today and spread the word about saving the planet. I will use recycled paper of course!
I have always had a business card as going to conferences without one can be really awkward in my experiences. Even just having your main blog url, e-mail and phone number can start great connections between you and someone else. I also recommend leaving one side mostly blank, bringing a pen and a small, hard surface so you can write additional details on cards you give out, or receive.
Business cards are useful for offline advertising. And if your blog is more than just ramblings, you need to have one. Great card, btw.
Business cards are always useful. If you have something that you want people to see than you need a business card.
Sta.rtUp.biz
“The Facebook for Entrepreneurs”
Thanks for the tip on the MooCards… look great. I had some biz cards printed with both of my blogs for awhile, people liked them and said they used them, but they’re out of date now.
Bloggers do need business cards. I’m having some made next week LOL! Great article.
Art
http://www.streetflips.blogspot.com- Trick’d Out Tricking Blog
wow. i definitely should start thinking about my design for my own card. hehe…i think it really helps. thanks for this!
hi. this is a great idea! i love it! although others would really think that i’m over doing it with my blogging because i’m still a student. lol. but i’ll definitely try this out! thanks again..
i believe that it’d be a great way for bloggers to carry business cards to reach out new readers or future clients to visit the website.
not all of the interested people know about your website. they need an information ready at hand instead of going online searching for your site.
I do like the design of the card in your post, pretty unusual to have a card that isn’t landscape.
But again as other people have said, if it’s for your blog a phyiscal address is surely something you don’t ‘really’ need and is reducing the lifespan of the cards themselves.
But yeah I’m thinking of getting some printed and leaving them around my uni campus :).
I have been looking for usefull methods of offline promotion for a while, definatly going to get some cards printed up. Nice design by the way!
Hi
Of line promotion seems expensive but I’ll try and get cheap business cards printed for my review blogs. I’ll make a main review blog and get cards printed for that. Here’s one of my review blogs on Autopilot Profits.
I have been thinking of having business cards made. Afetr reading this, I definitely will!
Thanks:)
Hmmm, maybe I should add mine to my card sometime.
It is a great idea - can’t believe I never thought of it.
Thanks all of idea..
Have a blog is all about having an identity, a voice on the net.
What better way to showcase that identity by having a physical namecard?
I have a blog and an Etsy store and I go through lots of business cards, I think they are an essential. I also have a small supply of Moo cards which I love. I make hand knitted and felted items including business card and moo card holders.
wowww. very nice