Feb 14, 2005

There's Nothing Ordinary About Me...Or My Business Cards

I wanted a business card that not only gave my contact information, but spoke to my skills. The best way to advertise your marketing skills is to create a marketing piece, so that's what I did.

Concept: In marketing, you have to be able to capture someone's attention and keep it. I wanted a business card that would engage the person receiving it, make them want to turn over to the other side and continue engaging:

  • Side 1: These days people have such short attention sp- (incomplete sentence prompts user to flip card)
  • Side 2: Luckily capturing attention is right in my wheelhouse. I added my contact information, then got another idea: What if my contact information was hidden, so the recipient would have to take some action to reveal it (i.e. capturing their attention). 
That's how I decided on a scratch-off component.

What you need: business cards, acrylic paint, scalpel/box-cutter/scissors, ruler/stencil, dishwashing liquid, clear contact paper, plastic spoon, paintbrush/roller/paint spong

Step 1: Mix two spoonfuls of acrylic paint to one spoonful of dishwashing liquid.


Step 2: Apply 1-2 coats of paint (just enough to cover what's under the scratch off) to the contact paper.










Step 3: Use stencil or ruler to cut the size you need for your business card.

Step 4: Peel off the backing of the contact paper and affix to your business card.

Step 5: Scratch one section of the card, so people know what to do when they get it.

Voila! A customized card that does double duty.