Business cards with your photo...good or bad?

Raf,

It all depends on what you're trying to accomplish with it. It would appear that you're wanting to sell yourself to your clients, and not as many do is sell their brand. For and o/o IMO selling yourself is a must. It is a good idea to let people see you, since first impressions are really everything.

If you're going to go that far, you may want to create a small autobiography of yourself. Include things like what your objective is as a business owner. For example:

"My ultimate goal is to make my clients completely satisfied with the work that I render. Ultimately I want my clients to know that they can TRUST and DEPEND on me to care for their carpet, upholstery, and other various textiles ect..."

Without drawing this out too far, just let them learn about you. If you decide to put personal information, like your wife and children (if that pertains to you) you could do that also. It doesn't have to be anything long winded just short and simple, and after you're able to meet with the clients at their home. You could give them that piece to read as you're working.

I've used plastic cards from day one. There blue, see through. If I forget to leave one on the counter of an empty unit I can set it on the damp carpet with out a problem stand it upright and it pops out I have customers call and ask when they misplace the card, "are you the company with the blue plastic cards?"
The scanned image dosen't do it justice.



I'm not pretty either so no pic on my cards, I want new customers without scarying them off. lol

We have a pic on our business cards. Myself, my wife and the truckmount between us, at first I didnt know if the "mom and pop shop" image was going to work, but it has worked well for us, in gaining customer loyalty and trust. Now over 50% of our business is repeats and another 25% is referalls. Image is everything in this business and you want your local neighborhood to know you personally, thats why most real estate agents put a pic on the card too.

Actually I've been contemplating the same thing Raf. I thought that it may help. Only one way to know for sure though.

Lol dont want to scare them off either....... as of now just using my logo etc....

Think about it this way, how many times have you had a card from 2-3 months ago, looked at the biz and name on card and said "who the heck is this?" and then threw it away because there was no face to go with the name. Also if you want to get great pricing on cards and other stuff, I found
GotPrint through dirtygrout.com and the members on ther have had good luck with them.

Your face on the business card? Maybe not so great an idea if you want to expand to a multi-truck operation in the future. People will be wondering why the tech who comes to the door doesn't look like the photo on the card.

If your goal is to expand your business as an owner / operator I think it is a great idea. Especially in a smaller community. Many people tend to "know" or recognize a lot of others in the community. The photo helps make that connection.

Scott Warrington

Raf,
I believe 100% that you should put your pic on your card. To answer Scotts concern I think every tech should have a card with their pic on it.

Just make sure you are smiling in the picture. It is a proven marketing technique that people begin the trust factor when they se your picture. I know several companies that will tell the customer who will be doing their job and to look on their website to see a picture of the tech.

Even Dalworth is now selling trucks to O/O who work under the Dalworth name but have a huge picture of themselves on the truck wrap.

The majority of our industry is dominated by 1-2 truck companies and selling the personal touch is an important differentiation from Stanley and the other big boys.

Go for it.

I don't put my pic on my business card, but do have a pic of myself and family in front of the truck for our direct mailer. I can't tell you how many people have called and said they called us because of the picture. They see me, and family and they trust it over some chain and no name tech who won't be there in 6 months.

I also have my pic on my fridge magnet. They have my pic, website, and phone number on the magnet. They can associate the name with the face. I've built my business on being owner operated and use my name and face to portray trustworthiness. It works like a charm.

Over here in Australia there was recently a push to have Carpet Cleaners Licenced. I for one was against it as there have been too many shonky trades people be it Electricians or Plumbers or Builders who have done the wrong thing and bought discredit on other licence holders.
Recently we had the case of a Dr performing operations who's licence was never checked and turned out to be a fake anyway but the government still employed him.
I have been a Justice of the Peace for many years and i have that on my business cards. A Justice of the Peace have security and police checks carried out every 5 years when we are re appointed. The public are aware of this and tend to put trust in us.
Our main tasks as a JP is to witness legal documents and administer an oath. The others in the community that can perform these tasks are senior police officers.

Mick :biggrin:

Hay Raf
This is the best paying expsense that i have I get more work from hadding out my cards then anything else. If you email me i will get you the number of the company that I use
Neil Lapinson
Dr Cleaning

I have no idea bu i have been told by a few marketing Guru's that having your picture on your business card is very effective. That is why 99% of realtors have there picture on there card. I know i fought putting a picture of my family on my websight. When i did finally put a picture of my family on my websight I have found that many people have commented on what a nice looking family i have. Have even been told a couple of times tha that is why they called me.