What to do with all these options? What is what and what is the best? Aren’t they all the same or are they different? Or are they almost the same while being different? Okay, calm down… Let’s see if we can figure this out and figure out what the differences are between all these marketing tools.
Since ‘business cards’ were the first to appear on the scene, let’s start there. As a brief history, business cards originated in 17th-century France, although some research shows they were first used in 15th-century China. In any case, they were referred to as “Business Cards”, which were more like invitations. However, they were used for almost any purpose where short writing would be appropriate. Business cards soon became “Business Cards” where they provided specific business information, including a company map. As printing methods developed to become more efficient, “business cards” became a more popular means of distributing advertising for one’s business.
Business cards haven’t changed much in the last two hundred years, aside from adding color and maybe a bit of shine. Now, if there’s any question as to why business cards haven’t changed much in the last two hundred years, the answer is simple; as bland as they are, they are still somewhat effective and serve their purpose.
Relative to the business card, the “delivery card” has a fairly short history. So brief, in fact, that it would be difficult to find objective historical information about them. Doing any research, you will most likely see someone advertising their version of a pop up card for sale or their advice on how to use it.
Sizzle cards are essentially identical to dropped cards. With even more recent history, the term “sizzling card” was simply coined as a marketing term to emphasize that a pop-up card must have a message so compelling that it sizzles. So if pop up cards are the same thing as sizzling cards, how are they different from business cards? While a business card is simply a card that contains as much information about a business as possible, a delivery card usually has very little information. They usually have enough information to pique someone’s curiosity and make them want to call or log on to a website. It may not have any real information at all, but rather a statement with a “sizzling” call to action. An example of a delivery card message might be something like “WE MAKE MONEY FOR YOUR BUSINESS! Visit http://www.YourWebSite.com for more details” or “PUT OUR MONEY TO WORK FOR YOU! Call (800) 555-5555 for more information.”
As young as popup cards and sizzling cards may be, they’re also starting to see some evolutionary progress. As many things evolve and develop, they tend to go through a series of trials and errors. Such would be the case with dollar cards. Dollar cards are a brilliant innovation to the pop-up card and sizzling card concept, but unfortunately, they were initially poorly executed. I think the first attempts at this novelty were created with a million dollar card. Apparently it’s an interesting idea though because you could use taglines like “Thanks a million!” or “This opportunity could be worth a million dollars!”, it just smelled completely fake when it ran.
Many printers would not even consider trying to recreate real American currency for fear of the unknown concerns of whether or not it was legal. Until recently, the million dollar pop up card was about as innovative as you could get with sizzling card marketing. Nowadays, some have ventured to reproduce the American currency in order to market cards in dollars. However, you can see by the quality of most, that they haven’t done their legal research yet or simply don’t care to produce a quality product. Although some of the dollar card providers are venturing into American cash, most are still not convincing enough in appearance to be as effective as they could be.
The most common dollar cards are produced in denominations of the $20 dollar bill and the most popular $100 dollar bill drop cards. However, personalized $5 and $10 cards are also available and are widely used as coupons for restaurants, car washes, or other services where discounts are appropriate.
Yet another difference between traditional business cards and drop (or crackling) cards is the medium by which they are distributed. Since business cards are traditionally presented from one person to another, usually during or immediately after a business conversation, single cards have much more flexible methods of distribution. Loose cards, as their name suggests, can simply be “dropped” in a crowded public area. If you’re using an ordinary sizzling card, it’s best to place it on tables in public areas like a coffee shop or waiting room where someone can read it without even picking it up. However, if you’re using something like the $100 bill business card, you can leave them anywhere and someone will rush to pick them up in seconds. Even a $5, $10, or $20 delivery card will catch the eye immediately upon seeing it. Now, of course, we don’t condone littering. However, if you were to drop one on the sidewalk in a mall and step to the side and wait a moment while someone picks it up, then you are not littering. It is simply a temporary placement. This also gives you the opportunity to approach your card finder and perhaps make your presentation. Put one on a chair in a coffee shop like it fell out of someone’s pocket. How long do you think it will stay there? You could even be as direct and go to a place of business and simply hand one to the manager with your presentation. Do you think they will receive immediate attention there? Absolutely.
If you still can’t get past the “literate” idea, then they’re just as effective handed person-to-person as a traditional business card, only better. Imagine if you were a network marketer and handed someone a $100 card. You could say something like, “This card is worth between $500 and $1,000 a week for a part-time effort.” You’d be wrong if you didn’t think most people would quickly snatch that card out of your hands and keep it.
Some of the obvious benefits of dollar bill cards is that they are realistic enough that people notice them right away. They will go to great lengths to get their hands on it and keep it in their wallets or purses for a long time. They are also very likely to share it with their friends and family, and they will NEVER throw it away. Can that be said for your average, everyday business card? No way.