Episode #21 - Business Cards that Suck, Web TV Show Schedules, YouSendIt New features, and A BIG marketing lesson from Haagen Dazs
September 9, 2008New to this website? View Episode #1 to bring you up to speed (we don't want you to miss out). Oh, and don't forget to sign up for show updates (top right corner of this page)
Episode #21 - I did a little experiment that you might be interested in. I laid about 40 or 50 business cards down on a table and scanned them to see if any stood out. They didn’t. Not surprising I guess, but disappointing. In fact, the MAJORITY of the cards had the same layout, the same colors, the same style, the same….just about everything. It’s ridiculous! These kinds of cards get thrown away within minutes of being handed to a person, and they certainly won’t remember who gave it to them. So what CAN you do to stand out from the crowd with your business cards? I provide some suggestions.
The viewer question comes from Yannick Pauli who lives in Lithuania. Not sure where that is. I should, I’m from Europe. It think it’s near Russia. Or maybe Germany. Geography was never my strong point. Anyway, Yannick, who I don’t think is any relation to Yanik Silver, asked if there was any reasoning behind releasing this web tv show on Wednesday’s. Well, watch the show and you’ll find out the answer…!
Most people are familiar with YouSendIt.com, but did you know that you can now send files to someone from within Adobe Photoshop, Outlook, Final Cut Pro, and a bunch of other commonly used software apps? It’s true, and it works really well. I’m impressed, and I encourage you to check it out.
This episode’s BIG marketing lesson is from Haagen Dazs. What an interesting history they’ve had. I won’t spoil it for you, but I’ll just say that they’re not as Scandinavian as you think…
Resources and websites mentioned in this episode:
YouSendIt (Send large files to someone, securely, without having email attachment issues)
Buy the DVD & Audio Set (Episodes 1-20)
Regards,
September 10th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Check out these business cards…a little outside the box thinking…
http://www.instructables.com/id/Dot_Matrix_Business_Card/
September 10th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Great issue, Andrew.
I think you’ll find that the Brits are still known as the “stiff upper lip” people. Amazing as that seems. I guess that’s an enduring brand?
Neil.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Great as usual.
I can see you are a graduate of the Dan K school of marketing, but one thing that puzzles me is this (and you can take it as a question):
Was your decision to quit the UK a purely commercial one - ie do you see the US a more receptive and lucrative market for what you teach and sell? And once in the US did you find the process faster to implement?
The Brits appear to be a more cautious bunch where entrepreneurialistic tendencies are frowned on, with success being met with envy and disdain rather than applauded as in the US mindset.
Yes, I am thinking of doing the same thing - just to get away from our awful weather, economy and the negative media.
“We’re all doomed”
Remember ‘Dad’s Army?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I associate England with extreme politeness, bowler hats, tea and crumpets (whatever those are), and, of course, Monty Python. It’s common in the US to affect a British accent to be humorously over-the-top polite. “I daresay, my good fellow,” and “Would you please pass the Grey Poupon.”
Whenever I hear a British accent, even yours Andrew, I’m prepared to laugh. I think your (England’s) humor is your best contribution to the world.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Andrew, I really liked the idea of how giving a book/dvd instead of a business card allows the relationship to grow without effort.
Thanks again
Nathan
September 10th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Gregg,
Thanks for the electronic business card idea, I like those, but the downside seems to be that unless the battery lasts forever, they have time limited value.
Neil,
‘Stiff upper lip’ is definitely a British stereotype that has a lot of truth to it, I agree.
Jim,
Thanks for your questions. There were a number of reasons why I moved from the UK to the USA. These are generalizations of course…
1. The weather (constant grey days are depressing).
2. The U.S. is MUCH more friendly to entrepreneurs.
3. Most Americans celebrate success, whereas many Brits are critical of success. Your comments about negativity are very true in my experience.
You might be interested to know that my decision WASN’T based on a perception that the market was easier to sell to. That thought didn’t enter my mind. As it turns out, I haven’t seen too many differences in the willingness to buy between the two markets, but of course the USA market is MUCH larger, so that is a significant difference.
Thom,
I haven’t heard ‘crumpets’ for awhile! Here in the States I miss marmite, fruit pastilles, crunchies, galaxy, the BBC news, and pub food.
Regards
Andrew
September 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Great show again - it would be interesting to see where people got those unusual business cards! Your DVD idea reminds me of those CDS that are about the size and shape of a business card - they could be a good way to deliver some interactive content or short videos. You can only stuff so many full-sized DVD cases into your pockets to carry around all day
Since a lot of your business seems to be related to training I can see how there’s a lot of free samples you could give away to show people what you can teach them. On the other hand many business are based on doing something for people - they don’t have the time to learn all the details.
What kind of content could be used as an introduction for that type of business? Demonstrations of the end results? Testimonials? A look behind the scenes? A video log of a project from start to finish? I can think of a few different angles to take, but I’m not sure which ones would really capture people’s imaginations… it might be time to start experimenting.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Tuned in for the first time. Have never watched a podcast before.
Great stuff!
I’m a British-born Canadian living in the U.S., so if my relatives are any indication, the British are a bunch of half-crazy know-how-to-truly live kind of people… which is probably why I loved this podcast!
September 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I thought it was great! I guess I never thought about how boring business cards are. This episode presented some great ideas. Thanks for the info
S Fish
September 10th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I like your show,love your accent and think you make a lot of sense .
September 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Thanks for pointing out the obvious, about business cards .I like your creativty .
September 11th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Nathan,
Thanks for pointing about the relationship building aspect of a CD/DVD or book. It’s a ‘hidden’ benefit for sure.
Richard,
From what I can see, the business cards I showed on this episode were simply creative ideas that people took to a printer. There are also businesses that can create plastic cards in all kinds of designs.
I agree with you about the practicality of carrying CD’s or books with you, BUT there are ways to do it. For example, keep a small supply in your car, most people don’t stray too far from their cars on any given day. If you’re travelling, keep a couple in your briefcase.
Personally I’m not a big fan of those small CD style business cards. The major challenge with them seems to be that most people don’t really know what to do with them (!) and because they are small, they’re almost as easy to forget as a traditional business card.
And to clarify, personally I still have business cards too, I use them with people who already know me, they just want to have all my contact details in one document.
I do believe that almost any business can use a CD/DVD or book. You mentioned some good suggestions in terms of HOW they can be used and always remember the PRINCIPLE rather than the specifics in what I say on the show. The content of the cd/dvd or book should be tailored to the individual business of course.
If it was JUST a book of testimonials with some information about the USP’s of the business, that’s A LOT better than a business card. What business could not do that?
Tracey,
Welcome! So glad you joined us, I’d love to know where you found out about the show? I don’t like the word ‘podcast’ because so many people don’t understand what that is (through no faut of their own), it’s really just a web TV show.
S Fish & Paul,
Thank you for taking the time to make positive comments about the show.
Regards
Andrew
September 12th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Hi Andy,
sitting here thinkling of good old days in the Uk…
fish and chips, cream tea, salt and vinegar crisps,
people beeing sooooo polite, botteling up all the anger and frustration and letting it out on the street or with people more close to them….
I never knew you where a Brit- but now I realise why your sence of humor sounds so familiar.
Your show is great… what I like most is the expextation: what t-shirt is he wearing today?
Then it is the short but effective valuable content. Even if I don`t have much time I watch it and something sticks.
These smal CD like business cards Richard talks about: are they real CD`s you can listen to. Like the one the software of my MP3 player came with? Thinking about them makes me think it would be a nice idea.
Would you know were CD can be produced afordeble for a start up? Or a book- when I dont want to order tousands of them?
Well- thanks for the show- I love it!
Greetings from good old Germany
Heidi
If you find a spelling mistake you can keep it:)
September 12th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Andrew: good points - I looked around after posting my comment and saw some shapes that don’t look like CDs at all. Plus they may not work in all computers. A few small-format books wouldn’t be that hard to keep nearby (although you would want to avoid looking too much like a generic pamphlet, which I’m sure would get little more notice than an ordinary business card).
The content of the book or dvd relates to the wider issue of what to information you can deliver through a blog/newsletter/website to inform people who aren’t yet customers. I really like the idea but most of the examples I’ve seen are about teaching people something they can do entirely on their own - I don’t mind explaining what I’m doing but if I spend all my time trying to teach the things I’m supposed to take care of I would be doing a pretty bad job
Going on the principle of giving people useful information that they can potentially apply themselves I could show them what they can do with my help, what to expect, or maybe some less advanced things that can do on their own to get started. Maybe I need to identify smaller niches before I can do this.
Heidi: I’ve seen mini cds (I had a pack of recordable ones a while ago), rectangular ones, and more unusual shapes. They are actual CDs - they just hold less - but I wouldn’t expect them to play everywhere.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
The small CD business cards come in normal round versions as well as any die-cut shape as long as there is enough “track” to hold the data. They hold about 170MB maximum. Anything with a slot loading CD player (car stereos, Mac laptops) like to eat them. They never see the light of day again. Slurp! Gone!
September 12th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
An addendum… many people are moving to USB Flash drives as a digital business card.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Andrew, I like your thoughts on the testimonial/USP book. Very interesting. In the health care industry, I rely heavily on the testimonials of others. Actually, I believe all industries rely heavily on the testimonies o previous buyers…I just think not all industries realize it, and act accordingly. Anyway, thanks again - I’m looking forward to next wednesday, as usual.
Dr. Scott
http://www.hilltopwellness.com
September 15th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Hi Andrew. great podcast show
being an optometrist im interested to know what frames you are wearing. they look good and seem to fit perfectly.
keep up the good work
Alon
September 15th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Neal Snyder sent me some details on his company’s business card. He said:
“Our company is Uber Cube - chocolate caffeine chews - http://www.ubercube.com. We sell conveniently packaged energy chews. Our customers enjoy them because of the instant energy they receive after eating, and the lower price cost over expensive sugary energy drinks.
The wrapped Uber Cube goes inside the the bag with the business card. People generally love them, and when I pass out the cards, and ill always collect 2 things: an email address and a testimonial. Theres nothing like on the spot customer feedback!”
Thanks for that Neal!
September 15th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Okay Andrew, I first picked your site in July via iTunes Podcasts once I started using my 3G. You have inspired me to go back to my roots so to speak by driving me to a Discovery Session on (re)Building my Brand. Putting a lot of thought in developing a solid content strategy for new marketing to include updating website to include relevant & fresh information: A Blog, Podcasts, Webinars and other forums may be appropriate.
Feed back is a gift, but so is the information you offer.
Best regards, Steve
http://www.isadorechiropractic.com
September 30th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
That Brits know nothing about American Football. After all, you show a picture of the NY Giants and mention the Jets.
Thanks for the excellent content.
September 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Steve,
You’re absolutely right! I knew someone would pick up on that!
Right, I’m off to play some cricket…
Andrew