So here's my idea…
We all want to promote our blogs in real life and there are tons of ways to do that. A business card is certainly one way. I bought business cards myself a while back in time to attend the Relevant Conference in October 2011. I didn't give any away. (That probably says more about my lame networking skills than it does anything else. Ha!) Suffice it to say, my $50 (or whatever it was) "investment" probably wasn't the wisest use of funds to date.
A more casual (and cheaper) alternative
Address labels. This morning I saw that Vistaprint has got a deal going: 140 free address labels (you only pay shipping which is $3 and change in the US). I grabbed some because we had just run out (score!). I know a lot of people are taking advantage of the deal and using them to label their kids' school supplies (also a great idea!). But then I thought about blogging.
How a blogger can take advantage of the free address label deal:
Vistaprint lets you design your own label. You don't have to put your address on there. You could put your blog name & URL, your Facebook page, Twitter handle, Google+ profile, tagline, etc.
Vistaprint has labels that let you upload your own logo or avatar. I highly recommend you do that! (In fact, I think your avatar is one of the most important things to have on your paper marketing materials since that's how you are most easily recognized.) Something like this?
And if you are design-inclined, you could even create your own label from scratch. Just look for the option that looks like this:
Where to use them
- I certainly wouldn't recommend using address labels in place of business cards when a professional exchange is taking place, but in a casual setting, I think it could be fun! And I would also be careful to not plaster them everywhere. But you could put them on a letter to your friend or your mom, a family newsletter or something similar.
- Or if you're attending a blogging conference, stick one on your name tag! At the blogging conferences I've been to, my name and blog URL have been the only things on my name tag. I stuck my avatar on my Blissdom name tag when I went in 2010 and I can't tell you how many people had no idea who I was by looking at my name, but as soon as I pointed out my avatar they said, "Oh, oh, oh! Yes! Hi Amy!" It was a lightbulb moment because that's how they were used to seeing me online. So until conference name tags come with avatars, this is a great alternative!
- Another way I could see it coming in handy is when I get into those conversations when I'm out and about and the person I'm talking to asks me about blogging. I could whip one of these puppies out and they could stick it to a napkin, a receipt or a scratch piece of paper.
- So, address labels, school labels, or fun (and cheap) alternative to blogging business cards…the possibilities are endless.
How to get your own
First, click here. You can browse the various styles—they have all kinds. If you're looking for the ones that let you upload your avatar or logo, click here, then, click on "Styles" and scroll down to "Using Your Photos & Logos" located at the bottom of the list. That'll bring up 8 pages of all sorts of styles you can insert your logo or photo into. When you see one you like, click the blue "Select Design" button underneath it. Once you do, you'll see a screen like this. Upload your photo on the left side of the screen like so:
Wanna give it a whirl? Go now…
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Personally, I don't trust Vista Print anymore! I got their FREE business cards and had to pay for shipping and handling and they charged my account *three* different times. It was a mess. Or maybe I just had bad luck
Oh bummer. I've never had a problem with them. In fact, just ordered my husband's business cards a few weeks ago too. So sorry to hear that, Tery Lynne!
That is too bad. I have used Vistaprint quite a few times now and I have been very impressed with the products that I have received. I like to wait until they have the free products offer like this one and just pay shipping & handling.
This is a great idea Amy. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great idea. I'm new to this blogging game so I haven't pondered IRL promotion yet but this is a great way to start. I can see sticking one to our Christmas newsletters, etc.
I need to work on getting a headshot to use for my avatar. At the moment, I don't have a great picture of myself that I feel comfortable using. I can see how important it is for branding, though.
Hi Amy,
I just ordered mine because I'm going to SOBCon here in Portland in September. What a great, casual idea. Just an extra touch.
Thank you.
jan
Thanks! Since I make and sell jewelry, it's the perfect thing to stick onto my bags. Perfect.
Yes, I have also had problems with Vista Print. I had them charge my account $20 for four months in a row after ordering from them.
Admittedly, I still use them because I wait until I can get everything free, then just pay shipping. I always order from them, I just make sure to keep a very close eye on my bank account afterwards!
I'll keep a close watch too. Thanks, Christina, for the heads-up.
Bummer. I've never had issues with VistaPrint, either, and I've ordered from them a LOT. In fact, my business cards for Relevant last year came from VistaPrint.
I actually order regular return address labels from them – and include my blog URL as the last available line, below my address. Then I use them on real mail. I don't know if it ever brings anyone to my site, but it can't hurt.
Good idea! Bummer, I wish I had thought of that when I just ordered ours the other day!
Great tips, Amy. Never thought of labels in this way – that is until now. Thanks!
Great idea and very creative!
Amy, this is a GREAT idea! I am attending my 1st blogging conference in August and was trying to figure out what to do about business cards. I have been blogging for a national mothers organization for about 1/2 a year and will be using my business cards for that organization. BUT, I also just started my own blog and was trying to figure how to also get that name out there! This is perfect. I now plan to order labels to stick on the back of my "professional" business card
A good solution! Many thanks for all your great tips!
This is an awesome idea. People are always asking me for my site info, so easy to stick a label with it somewhere. Thanks!
Awesome idea! I have done this before with labels I printed off my computer as an add-on to business cards that I had printed prior to certain things being established. I hadn't thought of having them printed up specifically for that.
Such a GREAT IDEA! Not to mention, I LOVE labels and i'm always looking for a new reason to buy more =)
Jen
Jen’s OT For Kids
Good idea! Is this offer valid in the UK? $3 for 140 labels would be great as these ones are almost $6 not including shipping http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/return-address-labels.aspx