Over the years, the “big opportunity teams” I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of – those driven by vision, brand overhauls & complete business model makeovers – have been the hardest work, best experiences and the most fun. At the end of the day, we rallied around the passion for the goal, not the goal itself.
Briefly, here is the idea: a Big Opportunity articulates in language that is analytically accurate and emotionally compelling an opportunity that will move an organization forward in a substantial way. It is that exciting possibility which, if you can capitalize on it, will place you into a prosperous, winning future. It is related to vision and strategy in a very straightforward way: a strategy shows you what you need to get to a vision; a vision shows you what you will be doing if you get to, and are able to capitalize on, a big opportunity. ~Dr. John P. Kotter
A written statement of a Big Opportunity can be a very useful tool. It is short, like a vision statement, and unlike a strategy description which is often much longer.
I had so much fun putting together Create Amazing Mind Blowing Business Cards NOW! I couldn’t resist doing another! This time around I’m adding a Social Media Twist to business cards and even including ideas for promoting your mobile initiatives! So, if you don’t already promote your Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc. efforts on business cards separate from your standard traditional BLAH business cards, let’s get you moving!
Now there aren’t a ton of social media business cards out there so bare with me as I try to walk you through ideas for creating your own social media cards using business card designs and images I’ve dug up from the web.
Already got great business cards? Please add your ideas to the comments or email me pics your amazing business cards and I’ll post them here! Seriously, you’ll find mine at the bottom and I’ll add yours too!
SOCIAL MEDIA BIZ CARDS >>
A couple quick things to note about social media cards in-particular. Simple to remember URLs, like the ones used on the card above, are extremely important! If you’ve gone to the trouble of registering the same name across all of your social networks, good for you! It’ll help keep your card clutter free or let you pack in as many social networks as possible! Like this >
Wow!
There’s so much clutter in print, so I am a HUGE fan of white space!
Business in front, Twitter in the back :-DNow THIS is a GREAT idea! Order "Post-it" notes with your Twitter link on them and stick them on your out going products and packages!Brilliant! Don't be afraid to be funny... but be very afraid if it's not funny:-DOk, maybe it's not "amazing" but it is well done and practical!
IDEAS / CONCEPTS for creating your own cards >>>
Great design for social media! Especially if you blog!Well, this is actually a virtual business card that would make an incredible real, multi-page, business card!Clearly this is a book and not a business card, but what a great idea for a vertical design! Do you offer information to your Linkedin connections? This would be a great way to showcase it!I don't think this is actually a business card, but it could be!Show off your best tweets or business info with a Twitter knock-off! This MS word knock-off is pretty clever!Here's a clever Google search biz card, what about Twitter search or Facebook "friend me" cards?Offer FREE WIFI? Talk about PERFECT! I'd add copy asking free WIFI users to friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! This cut out would make any WIFI ad memorable!
Picture this: What if this card had a picture of a cell phone on it with your text/sms code? That extended design element would grab attention if it was the phone antennae! Twitter & Facebook info could go right there on the back!
Your Social Networks would stand out on the top layer with your traditional info beneath!Cloud computing anyone? Wi-fi? This is too easy, and the list goes on!
If you have unique product, or you’re an SEO company with a huge set of… uh… “confidence” then this is the card for you!
Offer deals on Twitter? Promote them, your mobile coupons or links to your web discount pages just like this!
Hope you enjoyed this post and run out to your printer (figure of speech) with some great ideas!
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*If you’re one of our first 200 followers on Twitter you will be automatically entered to win 500 business cards! 2 chosen at random will win!
business card giveaway courtesy of this sponsor
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Lately I’ve had business cards on my mind because I need new ones and
unless it’s your fist job you probably hate ordering them too. They’re boring and they just sit in a placeholder or pocket anyway.
Then it hit me.
When most folks are getting theirs on the cheap, figuring they just need “a business card” to hand out, you NEED to spend extra time and more money! Have brainstorming meetings with staff, friends and/or family, hire a designer and create business cards that are as bold as you want your business to be! Throw out the rules and make an impact! Keep it on brand, but come up with cards that are sure to be remembered and, even more importantly, get cards you are proud to give out! You can engage your customers through your business cards, you don’t have to settle for just informing them!
I know it sounds extreme, but consider this…
Your reflection: There’s a good chance you have a stack of business cards sitting on your desk, counter or next to your cash register for customers to take as they exit. Shouldn’t that stack of paper be an incredible reflection on you & your business? Don’t you want your customers to take them because “they’re cool” actively and hand them out to friends / family? Isn’t that what you were trying to get them to do with your last batch of flyers? Why not your business cards?
An extra $100 goes a long way! Where else in your company expenses can you say that? Business cards are INEXPENSIVE and should be treated with more care and dignity than that last flyer you handed out! A quick Google search for business cards reveals amazing deals and with just a little clicking around you will be amazed by the options you will find!
As simple as a logo: You don’t need to have your information etched into a razor blade to make an impact (although that would be pretty impactful). An unexpected shape, clever design or intriguing theme could strike a memorable chord with your customers! For example, if appropriate, consider recycled paper with the symbol to show you’re engergy & cash conscious.
It’s advertising! How many times have you grabbed another business card on “the way out” of somewhere to remember the place you were just in? Perhaps you recommended a former vender to someone and handed over their business card?
Check this out, a business card that’s actually useful!
Didn’t you cut that…: billboard campaign? …last round of tv or radio spots? Maybe you passed on updating your sign? If you’re spending less, your face to face time with customers / clients needs to increased! Generally speaking, the lower you’re marketing budget the more of it you should invest in yourself!
Second impressions: When you’re not around and Joe Client pulls your business card out of their pocket, or digs it out of a desk drawer, they may very well be fuzzy on the details of your meeting or even on the fence about calling you. Now days, weeks or even months later they’re remembering you from your crappy boring business card!
Some Tips & Examples
Avoid cheap clip-art: This isn’t about handing out little computer cut-outs with your phone number on the screen if fixing computers is your business. Keep it simple, clever & professional and get direct feedback from 10 people you don’t know if you’re unsure about your design.
Less is more: Unsure if “x” information should be on your card? Then it shouldn’t! Put that on your website!
Get as creative as origami! If you really want to go the extra mile, which you probably should, and you really really really want to wow ’em (I’m talking to you Designers, Consultants, etc.) at the bottom of this post I’ve included a number of links to AMAZING MIND BLOWING BUSINESS CARDS, yes – business cards!
How crazy should I get? I suggest getting a stack of your competitors cards, find the coolest & most impactful ones and kick up another notch!
Email me your business card designs & I’ll post them on the bottom of this article. Here is the front of my new card, I was going for clean & clever, how’d I do? Let me know what you think! Did I live up to my own advice?
Richard Bouchez is a certified Inbound Marketing professional specializing in Social Media Marketing & New Media content development. Richard’s web, audio & video work has been honored with Emmy, Promax & CBA awards.
I had so much fun putting together 
"We’re @" on front & Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin on back!” width=”325″ height=”325″ />
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