21st Century Business Cards

Howdy folks. This month’s article is merely an idea. One, in fact, that I have not tested, nor has anyone I know tested this. So why am I sharing it? Well duh . . . because I still think it’s a good idea. I’m currently rebuilding and rebranding my professional stand up act. When I’m done doing that, I’ll be testing this idea myself. But here’s the gist of it . . . short and sweet.

It only costs $1000 bucks to replicate a 1000 DVDs . . . to have them “pressed” as they say in the business. We’ll talk about the contents of the DVD in a moment, but for now, hear me out. You can burn DVDs on your computer for next to nothing, and you can even have professionally burned DVDs at a cheaper “like” than $1000 for 1000. However, a pressed DVD looks so much better and plays so much better.

Also, consider this . . . that $1000 includes printing graphics, text, etc directly onto the disk. It includes the DVD case, the outer “jacket” of the DVD (you have to design it, but printing it is part of the $1000). It also includes the plastic wrapping of the DVD . . . “overwrap” as they say in the business.

So what would you want to have put on a DVD? Y.O.U. You! It’s your business card, so to speak. With editing software and technology these days, it’s very simple to edit together footage from your shows. You don’t necessarily want your entire act on the DVD, but definitely a trailer and any testimonials you have on film, any TV spots you’ve done, etc. You can also include a message from you to the client. It would have to be a generic message that would work for any of your clients.

Of course, printed on the DVD cover and on the DVD media itself, you’ll want your contact information. This is all stuff that should also be on your website. However, I think that handing someone a DVD as a business card would first of all speak success. Secondly, it might be easier for the person to play the DVD on a TV rather than on his/her computer. Also, the DVD is a tangible thing that you hand him. Whereas a web address on a scrap of paper or a traditional business card might easily be lost, a DVD will not.

You won’t, obviously, be carrying around a stack of DVDs and passing them out like candy, but they would be perfect for meeting a party planner or an agent, etc. Again, I’ve not tested this, but it seems like a sound idea, one that would really tell your client that you are serious. If you’re a strolling magician and you run into someone who might hire you for a future event, it would be a good idea to have a few DVDs at the gig in your bag.

That’s it gang. It’s a simple idea that I think is worth considering. However, if you think otherwise (or if you agree), please take a moment to reply to and “like” this article. Until Next Month . . .