Business Cards?

[+Coombes Family]

So what are your views on leaving business cards, not relating to Geocaching in caches? I have seen a few. Have been thinking of leaving cards for my handmade jewelry website, but not sure if its acceptable. Not planing to use as swag, just leave a card. What do you think?

[+Chokecherry]

I've seen various business cards and advertisements in caches. I personally do not use the businesses that are advertised in caches as I find it kind of a tacky way to advertise but that's just me.

[+mpilchfamily]

IMO its one thing to have a card made out to say you where there. Its another to use caching as a promotional tool. Lots of time that sort of thing just gets left in the cache or become trash. Not sure where this lies with the rules.

[+BuckeyeClan]

I don't think it's against the rules, but it's kinda tacky to use the cache to try to advertise.

 

Now, if you were to leave a piece of handmade jewelry as your signature item, with a card that explained what it was, and the link to your website, I think that would be nice!

[+kunarion]

if you were to leave a piece of handmade jewelry as your signature item, with a card that explained what it was, and the link to your website, I think that would be nice!

^ This.

Even if it's just a bead on a ribbon, leave an item that you think someone might enjoy finding. Some people collect interesting business cards, but unless the card is durable and waterproof, it could become mush.

[+Mom-n-Andy]

I don't think it's against the rules, but it's kinda tacky to use the cache to try to advertise.

 

Now, if you were to leave a piece of handmade jewelry as your signature item, with a card that explained what it was, and the link to your website, I think that would be nice!

 

I agree with that! But paper cards, whether they are "signature items" or just business cards, invariably just get damp and moldy and someone eventually throws them out.

 

The strangest thing I ever saw in a cache was a whole stack of business cards of an Army recruiter. I guess he figured that someone who liked outdoor activities would love the Army! It seemed complelely out of place.

[knowschad]

Nobody that's out caching is really looking to find advertising. That stuff is just junk in a cache. There are no rules about it, but its tacky. They generally get wet and moldy anyway... is that the image you would want to send?

[+Coombes Family]

Yes that's the way I was leaning, about it being tacky! You all just reinforced that thought, thank you.

[MikeB3542]

I'll admit I've done it -- lacking a working pen or pencil, I've tucked a biz card into the log book, at least until I can come back later to sign the log properly

[+The VanDucks]

We had some "business" style geocaching cards made, when I worked at a print shop, and the cards cost me nothing! They just have a photo and our caching name on them. Sometimes we remember to leave them, if the cache seems dry inside; and I do like seeing other cachers' cards. When I'm doing maintenance on our own caches, I throw out any sort of advertising material left in them, including business cards that are not geocaching cards.

 

For the original poster: if you made up geocaching cards with a pretty design, related to your jewelery, and with your gecaching name, you could include a link to the webpage for your business; that way anyone who is interested can see a bit more, but you won't be throwing an ad right in their face!

Edited December 24, 2010 by The VanDucks

[+GerryandJoy]

I had some cards printed up that say "Thanks For The Cache" on them. They have our Store Logo and our Forum Screen name.

 

Once in awhile, I'll leave one of these in them. Also, we had some small 1/2 dollar size rubber softies made with our website on them.

 

I've gotten several emails from people saying that they have forwarded the softies in caches they have found in our state onward to caches in their respective regions.

 

Rarely will I leave one of our business cards, but we have not had complaints so far.

 

I suppose it's a matter of listening to responses from people that log finds after you to see if there is any negative feedback.

[sp1tf1re]

I was looking at making some golf pencils with my company website and logo on them. Then just drop them where there is room for a pencil or pen in a chace. I figure it would be a useful item for a cache or even a pickup item for someone that likes golf pencils.

[+bramasoleiowa]

Most of the business cards that I've seen in caches are personal cards that seem to be for freelance or independent contractors, so no business name listed.

I got a bunch of mini-cards printed from moo.com for placing in caches I find.

Since I've taken tons of pics while out caching, I was able to have a variety of pictures used for the backside of the cards. Front side says "this cache was found by bramasoleiowa"