Most of know what a business card is, and what most people use it for – a simple and effective way to introduce yourself and your services or product. Some of us try to think outside the box to draw attention to ourselves by using bright colors or bold designs on a business card. Few of us (especially those of us in the church!) realize that a business card is simply a 3 x 2.5 piece of cardstock that can serve a greater purposethan just portraying our position in the church or stating basic information.
Brief History: Civil War Pensions: The business card of one of the many attorneys specializing in pension claims, circa 1895. SSA History Archives. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I have found that a business card size card can be used in many different, creative ways in and through the church. And free ones are the best! This size card is an inexpensive way to introduce a new church project, a special sermon series, a new worship time, a Bible study, activities, community events (and isn’t everything we do open to the community!?!) or a simple invitation to someone you meet. Some churches spend money on expensive door hangers, key tags, pocket calendars, vinyl banners and more. If you see a response from these, use them, invest in them, but think about this: business cards can serve the same purpose with a fraction of the cost and the flexibility to replace them frequently, making them an ideal tool for everyone in the church to use!
In the past I tried some different ideas using business cards. Some worked in one community while others did not. It is important to try several ideas, get out of that box and get creative! Let me share a few of my ideas that might be helpful to get your creative juices started.
Promotions: Announce upcoming programs or special Sunday’s – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, but why not include Grandparents Day? Or F.A.N.-atic Sunday (Family and Neighbors!) How about Soup-er Bowl Sunday? Or Barefoot Sunday? (That’s one of my favs!) You can drop them around town, staple them on church bulletins or newsletters and leave them in Laundromats, fast food restaurants, and on gas station pumps! Be generous. Those you reach will share them with friends and will spread the word of mouth for you.
Contest: Include simple and fun questions and invite the community and your membership connections to fill out the answer on the back side. They can pick up a small, simple gift or you can have someone deliver it to their home. Homemade bread – yum! A coffee mug with the church name, a small potted flower, or other appropriate seasonal item. It will create lots of excitement and grow your mailing list.
Hangers/Tags: If clothing was your business, you could use business cards on a hanger to give a custom look to your product. But in the church, clothing is our business! We are to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ! So, invite members of your congregation to bring in those extra plastic hangers and “tag” them with a card. Now they are ready to be hung out on door knobs or mailboxes … or used at your next church yard sale!
Referral cards: Create your special cards but be sure to leave space so that your church members can write their information on them before passing the cards on. This gives an invitation a personal touch and it helps someone know that there is at least one person whose name they will know!
Use business cards to make fun custom sports cards: If your church sponsors a junior ball team, a youth sports program, or a Scouting program you can use this kind of card. There are trading cards for individuals and teams, signature cards for autographs and more! (Be sure you think this idea through before adding ANY personal information about a young person.)
Christian Inspirational – These cards are a great way to encourage others and share your faith. You can get several sets and create a “collection”.
I kind of like this background idea for an old, traditional church that thinks with a contemporary twist!
How about making a card that mimics those old black & white composition books from school days? Make the back look like a piece of lined paper. Sharing these with a place to write a personal note makes it more likely to be tucked into someone’s purse or wallet.
I believe in using this type of church outreach so strongly that I agreed to not only tell you about it, but to also host a Giveaway from Business card printing for you to receive your own FREE business cards! The prize in this Giveaway is this:
Prize Information:
250 Die-cut Business Cards for one (1) winner
2×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×2″ Rounded Corners, 1.75×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×3.5″ Leaf, 2×3.5 Rounded one corner, 2×3.5″ Half-Circle Side, 2×3.5″ Oval, or 2.5″ Circle
14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
6 Business days print turnaround time
Free US shipping only
Now, you have multiple chances to win this prize. Start by entering below! And please share how you are going to (or maybe you already do?) use your cards when you win them!
Please note there is one Mandatory requirement to enter and win!: Visit UPrinting Business card printing page and tell us what die-cut business card shape you would choose if you win this giveaway. The options are there so please visit the page! (Enter below!)
“You should assume that I will receive free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.”
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DeDe Bull Reilly
June 19, 2012 at 10:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lots of ideas to use business cards….
1. Print name, scripture, association/organization (Emmaus Walk info), life verse and attach to a sweet something-something with a personal note on the back
2. Print Romans Road on one side, handwrite personal message on the back and place in a hotel bible when you stay
3. Print words of encouragement/scriptures to place inside magazine to deliver on hospital/nursing home visit wrapped around a bottle of water
4. Print personal contact info on it and attach a loaf of homemade bread to neighbors to share to build community and offer to help if ever needed like when man of the house is gone, emergency, contact for the kids
5. Print contact information to place with teacher/pta/organization forms/documents
6. Print scriptures of the love of God and give to seniors or leave in Sunday School classes (anonymously) at each chair all throughout the church as a secret encourager
7. Give dates of upcoming events at church/organization with website reference and theme verse to offer at restaurants when you pay the bill (with a good tip, of course), give to kids with small magnets attached to put on refrigerators
8. Offer as a gift to a local pastor to use in the community especially if new to the community/new appointment with church worship times and upcoming special event
9. Print names of God/attributes of God to use as prayer prompters for prayer team and worship service take aways
10. “I know you and I love you.” – God
DeDe Bull Reilly recently posted..The Right Shoes for This Season of Peace
RevPat
June 21, 2012 at 2:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
More great ideas from a sweet Jesus gal! AWESOME ~
Blessings,
Pat
Cynthia Astle
June 13, 2012 at 10:23 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great post, Rev Pat. Lots of good ideas here. Thanks for sharing!
RevPat
June 14, 2012 at 9:33 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Glad you enjoyed it!
ena
June 12, 2012 at 4:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hi Pat: a lot of stuff to think about here. I’ve only ever used business cards as visiting cards, I leave them at the door when people aren’t home or on the dresser in the hospital if people are sleeping.
To have the whole congregation passing them out for special events would be valuable. As would leaving cards in various places. Much better than posters because everyone has a reminder in their wallet.
A contest sounds like a lot of fun.
Hmm, so much to ponder
ena recently posted..Joyful living, Day 11 check-in
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