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. 
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 I had some biz cards printed with both of my blogs for awhile, people liked them and said they used them, but they’re out of date now.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
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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
My father in-law just started a printing business so he prints his own cards. But anyone with a printer can do the same thing. I’ve seen some pretty interesting cards out here, made from all kinds of strange stuff.
I like your design, it’s very cool and clean.. WoW
Yes a blogger also needs a business card. I like your design, its very nice.
I think the purpose of having a business card is to promote a service. Unless your blog is a good source of revenue through affiliate programs, i don’t see a huge benefit in that. You might as well stick with targeting the online community with e-cards and such.
You don’t really need a business card when blogging… but it doesn’t hurt to have one either. It can do a lot of good for traffic to your website actually.
I think we need a business card because we can use it as promotion tool. But the problem is blogger is not a common profession in my country.
Hi,
Maybe it’s my background, but business cards are a must in any business. That applies to both on and offline businesses.
At the end of the day one card/deal could repay the costs a thousand times over.
All The Best John
I’ve never thought about getting business cards. I’d feel weird handing them out to people. I’m not a very aggressive person. But maybe it would be a good thing for me to try, break out of my comfort zone.
Great tips. I like your design it is very inviting.
Considering the low (read: nonexistent) barrier to entry, everyone who’s working online should be toting business cards. You can have them made up for next to nothing and they give you a nice way to connect out in the flesh-and-blood world.
It’s one of those incredibly cheap and easy things people undoubtedly overlook.
BTW, I sort of dig your card in the photo. It’s got that old school Howard Johnson’s color scheme working for it. The vertical approach is also a nifty change of pace.
Cyn
I work online and I was never in a situation where I would need to pass a business card. Everything I do is done via mail or phone, I berely meet my client and if I do, they know everything about me. BC is just a gadget.
Hi Randa,
This is a very interesting post and I have a little info to add since I just got business cards, which were also moo.com moo cards.
I love the moo cards. The color is great on them, they are not flimsy and hold their shape better than regular sized business cards which always seem to curl at the corners. They use what I think is a little heavier card stock, so this doesn’t seem to happen.
My moo cards turned out adorable, although I must say I had them done professionally so I can’t take the credit for how amazing they look, but kudos to my designer (remarkably this is Randa Clay), so this is also a mini endorsement of her work, fabulous!
Wanna see my fabulous moo card, designed by Randa Clay? http://picasaweb.google.com/hennegav/BusinessCardRemarkableParentsCom
I think all bloggers should have a business card.
Vicky
I really like the card…it shows a simpleness of your design, and I think it should work for you.
My blog supports my real estate business, for which, I of course have a business card. I had never considered a business card for my blog… but now, I think I will have some printed. Thanks for the article.
I’d say a business card is an excellent idea just like any other business. Cards are inexpensive these days. To expect a potential reader to remember your site or write it down – not going to happen. Handing them a card that may have cost a few cents…and in turn an address they may pass around is invaluable.
In the work I make cards much enough and I consider, that it really one of good ways to tell to your clients and all people about yours a web-site. But also do not forget to tell about a web-site at personal meetings and dialogue, it very much helps! Good advice, thanks!
Great idea for bloggers to have business cards, can pass them out on their travels to potential readers and gives an overall more professional feel to their blogging.
Currently I don’t have any business cards, but I plan to have them. Anyway, your cards are eye catching
I think it’s a good idea as online marketing can be complemented by traditional methods of advertising like business cards. How often do you pass on a URL by word of mouth only to forget the exact URL when you come to type it in. A business card solves this problem.
This is such a great idea. Business cards are very useful. Thanks for the tips.
I think it works. I’ve printed a couple of dozen of informal business cards showing my site and handed it to new associates. I’ve even tried leaving behind a couple in some conspicuous places (cafes, buses) hoping that those who would pick it up would be interested and actually visit my site. lol.
I really can’t see business cards increasing the readership of your blog. But hey, if you get it to work then more power to you.
This is a very good idea, because business card show what my work is!
Bloggers need a business card because we can use it as promotion tool.
The idea of not having cards seems odd to me: I’m a writer and cards come to mind as naturally as books do. They point to your identity and may contain only your name: “who”. Of course, “where” and why, as well and if a link to your web log is enough that’s just fine. They should be simple, clean, even ‘minimalist’. A small village printer can make up a batch at short notice and for little money.
And by the way, it’s best to keep them to more or less standard size: 3 1/2″ x 2″ in most places. Folding cards, a couple of small pages are more like ‘pamphlets’, but also a good idea.
For what it’s worth (neat subject, I’ll pinch it for a blog entry as well!)
Peter
This is a good idea.Thanks for writing about this.
bloggers are also professional … business card is a must for full time blogger.
very nice card design. I’m in the middle of redesigning mine at the moment. Thanks for the moocards link. I might consider that.
I believe EVERYONE should have a card, from business owners, students, even sahm. In addition to blogging, I’m also a sahm, and every time I arrange a play date with another mom, we’re scrambling for pen and paper to exchange info. So much easier when I just whip out my card.
Thanks – I have been asking myself this lately and you have helped me decide I do need to get a business card for my blog.
okey super comment very online should be toting business cards. You can have them made up for next to nothing and they give you a nice way to connect out in the flesh-and-blood world.
Why not? Business card is to give your customer/supplier to keep contact to you, it’s same like……bookmark….
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.
well done…