ILLBA Webinar Focuses on Business Card Marketing

On January 20, the Illinois Limousine & Bus Association (ILLBA) held their first midmorning Coffee With ILLBA educational webinar of the new year. This month’s topic was Keep Your Brand in Their Hand, focusing on the importance of business cards. The session’s guest speaker was Create-A-Card Vice President of Operations Drew Messina, who provided valuable advice into the one marketing tool everybody uses.

Create-A-Card VP of Operations Drew Messina

As Create-A-Card begins its 40^th year in the ground transportation industry, Messina offered keen insight into making business cards more marketable for your company, especially since they provide the first impression.  First and foremost, Messina says that it’s imperative that your card specify what your company does: a simple logo is not enough. With that in mind, he says the only job of a business card is to state who you are and how to reach you. The card should include four things: 1) Your name, 2) Phone number, 3) Direct email address, and 4) Website. In our industry, it’s also valuable to include where you operate, so including your city, or even better, the airport code is helpful.

With many people transitioning to “digital only” cards that can be accessed by tapping cell phones, Messina advised that these should only be a backup. He’s found that follow-ups are more likely with a physical card but stressed the importance of having a QR code on the handout. Furthermore, a headshot is a vital way to make your card stand out, as it better serves as a “memory trigger.”

Before concluding his session, Messina offered a useful checklist for the upcoming CD/NLA Show in Vegas. He advised that attendees be prepared with business cards, branded apparel, swag to distribute, and consistent branding (e.g., wearing colors that match your company’s logo/branding).

Ultimately, Messina says that physical cards remain viable, as first impressions matter the most.

A recording of this webinar is available on ILLBA’s YouTube channel. It can be accessed here.

Visit illba.org for more information. 

[01.27.26]