We are a nation of tippers. For a variety of services, we tip and usually tip well especially in Las Vegas, NV. Tip the waitperson, hairdresser, valet, car wash workers, and my personal favorite-Starbucks. If you tip, why not use that as an opportunity to tell them of your business!

So what you want to get is a pile of one dollar bills. Staple your business card to one end of the bill, evenly and facing outward of course, that’s it, plain and simple!

When I thought of it, I thought “no, people will throw a plain old generic business card away automatically.” One time I put my dollar bill tip in the jar at Starbucks, and tossed a loose business card in the jar as well, not attached to the dollar. What happened was a Starbuck employee and there coworker said “ewe, what’s that” and threw it away never looking at it or thinking it could be the person who just TIPPED them. Uh, hello. I said nary a word but quietly observed. So you can see why I was hesitant to start my new marketing campaign.

But Wait…There’s More…

Once I began stapling my business card to a dollar bill (dollarcard) things changed. The reactions I have received passing out dollarcards have been remarkably positive. Recipients of the card have been very inquisitive and much like “hum, why haven’t I seen or thought of this before?” Like the bartender I gave a “dollarcard”. Some bartenders are stuffy, they’ve seen and heard it all before from mankind at the bar. Well this was a true test.  I gave the bartender a dollarcard, he looked at it, then a small grin lit up the corner of his mouth, and he said “darn, that’s a good idea, where did you learn that?” I told him “I came up with it myself!”

Every response I have gotten has been great when I staple a business card to the dollar bill! I figure if they are getting my tip, then they need to hear about my business. Self Promotion’s finest hour has begun.

It’s so simple,…you have likely even thought about it before… and maybe…sort of did it, e.g. wrapping a dollar around a card, handing a card with a tip. Wanted to do it, but did not. Its good marketing as they MUST view the card while unstapling it to get there tip. So they just do not toss it like a regular business card. Those few seconds of looking at the card and understanding what business I am in, automatically they run through their minds “who could use this service?”

The reason they lend the business card more attention could be the card’s association with an object of value, a dollar bill. Its not just a business card anymore, it now has a value. You are going to tip anyway, why not market your small business at the same time. It’s really a way to repeat to your folks you normally do business with, that “hey you are in business and to call you if they need your service.”

Happy Marketing,
Bill Guerra

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