Some Unique Business Card Ideas
By Kaitlyn Miller
Without a doubt, business cards are a major part of any marketing strategy. You should have plenty of business cards on hand at all times, ready to hand out to prospective customers on a moment’s notice.

Still, with millions of business cards out there, it can be a challenge to make yours stand out. If you are finding that your cards are ending up in the bottom of a wallet or purse, and not driving traffic to your business, you may want to consider making a drastic change. Here are some very unique and unconventional ideas for you to consider the next time you design a business card printing project.

Scratch Off Tickets
For a bit of a fun effect, design your business cards in the form of scratch off lottery tickets. Those lottery tickets are always popular, so why not incorporate that into your business card design? Have a simple image on the front, with a scratch off area. When a customer scratches off that area, they will see some important information about your business. This is a fun way to allow the customer to interact with your business cards.

Lego Blocks
Another fun idea for your business cards is to make them in the form of children’s Lego blocks. Those building blocks are recognizable universally, so your business cards will be, too. And this idea is unique enough to generate a great deal of interest. Just place your business information and contact info on the sides of the blocks.

Balloons
Here is another wildly unconventional business card idea. Turn your business cards into balloons that your customers can blow up. Not only is this fun and interactive, but it is a good way to keep your cards in the eyes

Pima County, Ariz., housing starts in January nearly twice those of last January
Housing starts got off on a stronger footing this year in Pima County, with nearly twice as many permits taken out this January compared with last.
Total Housing Starts Increase 2.8% in January
Single-family permits stay steady at seasonally adjusted rate of 507,000.
December housing starts stronger in Pima, led by D.R. Horton
Housing starts in Pima County were surprisingly high in December, largely due to national builder D.R. Horton pulling 60 permits to build new homes.
2010 Housing Forecast
<a href=http://www.builderonline.com/housing-starts/2010-housing-forecast.aspx?rssLink=2010+Housing+Forecast > <img src=/Images/newhome_sales_rebound_tcm10-274291.jpg width=90 height=121 alt =newhome_sales_rebound(90) title=newhome_sales_rebound(90) /> </a> Economists predict new-home building won't snap back as quickly as it has after previous housing recessions.
10 Companies to Watch in 2010
<a href=http://www.builderonline.com/economic-conditions/10-companies-to-watch-in-2010.aspx?rssLink=10+Companies+to+Watch+in+2010 > <img src=/Images/Stanley-B%26D2_hero_tcm10-267995.jpg width=90 height=60 alt =Stanley_bd_hero.jpg(90) title=Stanley_bd_hero.jpg(90) /> </a> We single out the builders and suppliers that should make some noise this year.
Housing Permits Rise 6% in November
Starts also rise 8.9% to seasonally adjusted pace of 574,000.
Housing Starts, Permits Slide in October
Single-family permits remain flat at seasonally adjusted pace of 451,000.
Permits Dip in September
Single-family starts rise 3.9% on a monthly basis.
Demographer's Upbeat Assessment Bodes Well for Apartment Industry?s Future
<a href=http://www.builderonline.com/multifamily/demographers-upbeat-assessment-bodes-well-for-apartment-industrys-future.aspx?rssLink=Demographer's+Upbeat+Assessment+Bodes+Well+for+Apartment+Industry%e2%80%99s+Future > <img src=/Images/1009mfedemographics1_tcm10-219515.jpg width=90 height=67 alt =1009mfedemographics1(90) title=1009mfedemographics1(90) /> </a> As a demographer, Dowell Myers says he can predict things with certainty. Economists, he says, can barely forecast where interest rates are going over the next three months. ?But I can look at someone in the audience and predict with some confidence that in 10 years, they will be 10 years older.?
Economic Insight: Prepare for Sharp Increase in Home Starts
Builders will soon need to replace inventory, even if demand for homes remains relatively stable.
Housing Activity Remains Flat in August
Single-family sector dips in permits, starts.
Tour, Fair Bring Sustainability Home
Aug. 27--There's a lot of talk about sustainability these days.
Housing Starts Have Unexpected Relapse in July
Increase in single-family starts offset by significant dip in multifamily construction activity.
Treasure Valley Housing Demand Up in Lower Price Range
News that home prices in major U.S. cities registered their first monthly gain in nearly three months has most economists bouncing off their seats to shout about it.
Economists Predict Home Building Will Recover in 2010
Construction economists warn builders to brace for higher prices for building materials next year.
Economists Predict Recovery Next Year
Our mid-year forecast roundup reveals big expectations for 2010.
New-Home Sales Expectations Return to Normal in June
Wells Fargo?s Neighborhood Watch survey shows a re-setting of expectations
Zandi: Recession Will End This Year
Moody?s economist also says housing will not be ?an early source of growth? in this recovery.
Housing Starts Soar Past Expectations in May
Total starts leap 17.2% to seasonally adjusted level of 532,000; permits also rise.
Total Housing Starts Dive 12.8% in April to Record Lows
But single-family starts and permits both show small gains.

of your customers, as well. If they blow up your card and let it float around their home for a while, they will get a look at it (and your business info) quite a few times.

Maps
Turn your business card into a road map. This can be especially effective if your place of business is somewhat difficult to find. But even if it is not, putting a map on your cards can add a great deal of attractiveness to your cards and make them stand out from the millions of black and white cards out there.

Dog Tags
This is a tactic that I have actually seen a few times in the past few months. Design your business cards in the form of military dog tags. This is a fun and unique idea that will make your cards stand out in the customers’ minds. In addition, some customers may even decide to wear your business card around their necks, making them even more powerful.

For more information, you can visit this page on business card printing