Plastic Business Cards?

[Bombalurina]

Hi Geeks,

I'm working at the moment to really push my business, with the hope of going part time at my day job by the end of the year. My other half has suggested to me I get plastic business cards printed with my details on; the idea being that potential clients are less likely to throw them away than card ones.

I love the idea, but I'm after a little guidance please!

1. Do any of you have a supplier you can recommend? I don't mind spending out if they're good quality, but don't want to waste money if they're rubbish. I've used VistaPrint for other things, and though they're ok, I think I'd rather use someone else this time.

2. Any ideas what I should put on them? Obviously business name, my name, phone number, website...but what do you think about a special offer, and a list of treatments?

3. If I do go with a special offer, as my other half suggests, what would you recommend? a %age off? £5 off? and for who? First time clients? Or perhaps use them as recommend a friend cards?!

I think because people are likely to keep them more than cardboard ones, I want to make sure I do the right thing here, and don't want them to go "out of date", or to be irrelevant in 6 months.

I'm a mobile therapist, offering all level 2 services, (Though I'm level 3 trained) as well as most standard holistic treatments. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[WaxGirl]

Being totally honest (and at same time not wanting to rubbish your idea) I don't think the fact that they are plastic will make a difference to whether people keep them or not. Unless you have a good big budget to spend on marketing I would see this as a waste of money, there are others ways to promote and market at a lower cost.

 

[angelina221]

I have plastic business cards and i can tell you that clients DO keep them.
They generally keep them in their wallets or purses with their credit cards. They don't go tatty like the card ones and they keep them for ages.
I completely disagree with Loveleelady and have found they are a great investment.
Everyone always comments on my business cards.
I wouldn't put offers or treatments on there though. Just keep it to the contact details and your logo.
I get mine from AFP design. They cost £150 for 1000 and that includes vat and delivery.
Plastic Cards, Hot Foil Printed Plastic Business Cards, UK

 

[Bombalurina]

Thanks ladies,
Though I realise they will cost, I think it's something I'd like to do, and £150 for 1000 is a good deal I think, I'll email them next week.
Thanks for the advice!
XX

 

[MissConfused]

i have thought about doing this for when i start mobile and to be honest the more i thought about it the more i was put off by the idea.

if it was just a business card then other marketing like loyalty cards would have to be made up which is an extra cost, same if it was just a business card thatif it was just a business card then you would have to make up appointment cards which is another extra cost. surely if you have abusiness card with eg. loyalty reward on it or next appointment details on the back (both of which i have seen on various design websites) then people would keep them just the same as you're hoping the plastic ones would be but you will save yourself money?
x

 

[angelina221]

If people have appointments on the back of their business cards, there are only so many spaces available. Once they have filled up all those spaces with appointments then they get thrown away and besides which, you're not going to write on the back of plastic cards!
A business card is generally the first contact someone has with your business and first impressions count.
I've lost count of how many times someone has said to me 'Wow, aren't these posh', 'Wow these are the nicest business cards i've ever seen', or 'Wow can i have one of these to keep'?
And keep them they do.
I am speaking as someone who actually uses these cards, and i can honestly say that they have been a great investment.
People keep them in their purses and have them on their person all the time, so if they need to make an appointment, they have your number available all the time.
Most people who have just normal cards also have separate appointment cards and so forth.
I bet i don't get through as many business cards as some people too, because clients do keep them so they don't get thrown away.
Once they have one, they keep it and they don't get tatty.
People see these cards and have an immediate impression of your business and it's always a good impression

 

[leonnib]

I completely agree with angelina I use plastic ones too. I started using it coz it would stay in better condition but my clients always say how much they like them they stand out to the normal card ones and I also find clients tend to keep them. I always give two incase they want to give one to a mate etc.
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