What is a Moo Card?
One of the Agent Genius writers asked my what a Moo card is. A moo card is a 1 inch by 2.75 inch card made from photographs. They are ordered online, from Moo.com. They are a bit more expensive than most business cards, $19.99 for 100.
What do I use them for?
I carry Moo cards with me at all times, in my purse, laptop case and camera bag. I hand them out at photo walks, tweet-ups and conferences. I give them to random people that I have conversations with in coffee shops, and at the grocery store. I use them for those events that are business related but social. I carry my standard business card with me and use it too. The Moo cards are a little friendlier and are more fun.
High Quality and Easy to Create
They are easy to create, use your own photo or choose some cards that have already been designed. There are no rules about what to put on the front, or on the back for that matter. They are made on thick high quality paper and I can’t think of a time when I gave someone a Moo card and they didn’t smile.
Mike Mueller
October 5, 2008 at 7:24 am
T – I find Moo Cards help to break down that wall. They say to the recipient, “I’m not going to SELL you something, but here’s my info, now get to know me better.” I’ve watched people smile when I give them as well.
Steve Simon
October 5, 2008 at 7:52 am
I think there is something good to be said about any quality image used in marketing. The written word is still my communication of choice (other than face to face) but today’s society moves so fast and loses interest so quickly, that a little bit of interest must be generated, and the image can do that faster than the written word.
A portion of me is bothered by the fact that a photo is needed to get the attention you require for the rest of your message to be consumed; but I see it even in myself. it is a neccessary addition to the message itself. In our world you require a hook. I guess that is just the way it is.
I agree with your assessment, that they would be a little friendlier as well. The giving of a formal business card has become an event which I now participate in only when asked to. These little guys might be something I can use in a more spontaneous manner?
Paula Henry
October 5, 2008 at 8:07 am
Teresa – I also carry a seperate card for my blog with a city view on the front. Even though the backside does feature the balloon and my must have business info, it is much cleaner than the regular business cards, and people do like them better. I like the idea of only ordering 100 cards, though, so I can change out the pictures when I want or use a different picture for certain areas. I had not heard of Moo- I’ll check it out.
Ann Cummings
October 5, 2008 at 8:11 am
I LOVE my Moo cards! I just got my newest batch in, and they look great. The quality of the pictures and of the cards themselves is far better than regular cards I’ve found in other places. I also got some of their notecards with this latest order – they are awesome as well.
I use a variety of different pictures from around my area, and the feedback I get on them is that people just love them. The nice quality of the card makes people hang onto them more than they might regular business cards.
Brad Nix
October 5, 2008 at 8:12 am
I use Moo Cards all the time myself. Way better than business cards!
Teresa Boardman
October 5, 2008 at 8:32 am
Steve – yes, they are less formal and more spontaneous. I think it does take a picture to get someones attention. A photo or a piece of art work or pre-designed card is a way of giving someone something unique.
Jeremy Hart
October 5, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Teresa –
Interesting you post this, as this just came up at my franchise brokerage a few weeks ago. I was showing someone mini’s that I had made, and one of the franchise’s management folks instructed me to stop using them. Their stance was that the brokerage information had to be on the card. Given the size of the cards, that’s just not possible.
Has your brokerage made any restrictions on your use of the cards? Anyone know the appropriate stance on this? It seems like Teresa’s advertising her blog, not her services as a real estate agent. When you go to her blog, the appropriate disclosures are there, but through the cards she’s only advertising her blog. That was how I was approaching them, as well – if I wear a shirt that advertises the blog, should I be required to have my brokerage printed on there as well? Take it further – if I printed NRVLivingBlog.com on a boxer’s back for a bout, should the brokerage be on there as well? My thought is no, I’m advertising the blog and not my service as a RE agent. Interested in hearing others’ thoughts …
Teresa Boardman
October 5, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Jeremy – I guess there are some gray areas here. I am not sure I have to disclose that I am a Realtor to everyone I meet. There are many things I carry with me that have my name on them that don’t disclose that I am a Realtor. I’ll ask my broker but I suspect he will be supportive of my use of the cards.
Missy Caulk
October 5, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I love MOO cards, and you just reminded my time to order more. They are great ice breakers and I have my blog on the back.
Tina Merritt
October 6, 2008 at 5:39 am
I love Moo cards. You can order full size cards if you so desire. Jeremy, you brought up an excellent point and I agree with your stance – if you are advertising your blog and not your role as a real estate agent for CB, why do they have to have their logo on there? If they were smart – that could have contracted with Moo cards to provide a few “approved cards” to agents….but instead, they choose to remain in the dark ages.
Tina in Virginia
Jeremy Hart
October 6, 2008 at 8:34 am
Thanks Teresa, looking forward to hearing how your broker approaches it. It’s a difference of opinion between myself and the franchisee; I don’t see a difference between branding the blog using this approach vs. an ad on a bus or a web address on a shirt. We’ll be sure to do it right and above board, but in this case I think the brokerage has it wrong. We’ll see.
Jay Thompson
October 6, 2008 at 8:48 am
I too love Moo. Every time I’ve given one out they have, without fail, elicited a positive response.
Most brokers love to have agents do their marketing for them. That’s one of the primary reasons I got my brokers license and opened my own shop. No one (other than the state, the feds, and my wife) can tell me what I can or can not do.