Summer 2021, Volume III, Issue 2 
The Art of Business Card Marketing
A business card is so simple, yet it's one of the most important marketing tools in your arsenal.

"Even in the digital world we live in, most people still use business cards," says Kathryn Dando, owner of Kathryn Dando Media Group LLC.

"They're a form of contact management; a business card has your contact information, plain, pure, and simple. If someone you met liked what you did or something you said, or is interested in your services, your business card is the billboard for them to get a hold of you. You can also turn it around and if you like something the other person said or did, hand them your card and say, 'I love this information. If I can be of service in any way, here's how to get a hold of me.' "

Here are a few tips to boost your business card's potential.

Keep it simple. When creating a business card for her marketing company, Dando opted to include her logo on one side of the card and her phone numbers, email address, and website on the back.

"I believe in keeping it clean and simple," she says. "Your logo should reflect what you do. I did a signature logo and tagline that represented my name and more than 20 years of experience in the industry as my brand. I chose a simple color palette of denim blue and black. I carry the logo, typefaces, and color palette through to my website, presentations, email signature, and social media."

With more ways than ever to reach out, Dando adds that you can make your business card work harder for you and broaden the view of yourself and your company by adding social media handles, online conference links, appointment dates/links. Dando also says that some companies add coupon codes or other specials offers on their cards.

Use quality materials. The physical look and feel of your business card create an impression of you and your values. Some people try to cut costs by using poor quality paper, but that only reflects poorly on them. Dando recommends using good-quality, heavy card stock. Her business card is square shaped so it stands out in a pile of cards. Consider cards that double as bookmarks, magnets, stickers, etc.

Hand it out. Dando says she hands out her card at the end of a conversation or networking session as a way to close the conversation and foster future connections. Dando also gives some of her cards to friends and colleagues to refer others to her services.

Make notes. In the hustle of a busy trade-show environment, Dando finds it helpful to make notes about a person, a company and follow-up notes on their business card. Then, when she returns to the office, she can follow up on any important conversations and proposals and add them to her customer relationship management (CRM) software.

"Before we had CRM systems, we input the information manually into Microsoft Outlooks," she says. "There are many CRM platforms out there now that are user-friendly such as HubSpot, and you can also get scanning apps."

Though small, business cards can make a powerful statement about you and your business, as well as foster deeper connections between recipients and your brand.

In April, Dando presented an AHP eGathering titled "Networking: the Unwritten Rule of Business Success with more helpful tips.
Register Today Online

Look on the AHP website for information on registration, hotel reservations, and the schedule of events. Updates on tours, speakers and sessions, and more are coming soon! #AHPbackinthesaddle2021
Planning to Attend the Conference?
Don't Miss the Next AHP eGathering.
Monday, July 19, 2021 at 6 p.m. EST; 5 p.m. CST; 4 p.m. MST; 3 p.m. PST

Hosted by conference coordinators Chris Brune and Judy Lincoln
 
Preparing a strategy for making the most of your time and investment at the AHP conference is uber important. The Back in the Saddle conference is AHP's first in-person event since 2019. It’s the fast track to get your career or business back on track. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned veteran, Chris and Judy will provide tips to make you a pro at navigating the schedule and your time, whether it's attending sessions or networking with old and new friends.

Following the presentation, Chris and Judy will answer your questions about registering for the conference, hotel location and services, airport transportation and parking, optional activities, and the schedule of events.
 
Register in advance for this meeting:
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Don't worry if you can't make the live meeting. The session will be recorded and available on the Members Only Facebook Group Page and in the Member Center.
Special Awards Honored at 2021 Equine Media Conference
Finalists Named for 2021 Equine Industry Vision Award

Sponsored by Zoetis and presented by AHP

On Friday, September 17, the winner will be announced at the Equine Vision Award Breakfast during the AHP conference in Texas. Click here to meet the finalists.
Two Up-and-Coming Equine Media Professionals Win AHP’s Inaugural Equine Media NextGen Award

Tori Repole and Catie Staszak are the two young women who rose to the top in a field of nine nominations that represent the amazing talent in the equine media industry today.
Read more about Tori and Catie.
2021 AHP Equine Media Student Travel Award Recipients Headed to Texas


Join us in Texas and meet Haylie and Hannah. One of these talented two students will be named the 2021 winner. Learn more about the two finalists.

The Student Winner cash award is sponsored by Equine Network, LLC.

Finalists in 2021 AHP Equine Media Awards

Member enthusiasm and online submissions keep equine media strong as AHP celebrates excellence in Texas.
 
They start in January, selecting their best work published in 2020. By the February deadline date, they have submitted their entries. All they can do now is wait.

The release of the finalists in the Equine Media Awards (EMA) ends the waiting period. Earning an award for excellence in equine media has been a goal of AHP members since 1976. Of the 98 participants who entered, 66 have moved forward to placing in the top five in one or more of the 56 classes in the 2021 AHP Equine Media Awards.
 
To see who made the finalist lisy for 2021 click here.

If you are a finalist, please submit the requested digital files for the awards presentation to Chris at ahorsepubs@aol.com by July 16.
EQUINE MEDIA CONFERENCE
September 16-18, 2021
AHP Back in the Saddle
Equine Media Conference
Westin DFW Airport Hotel
Irving, Texas
For more information, click here.



May 12-14, 2022
AHP Equine Media Conference
Griffin Gate Marriott Resort
Lexington, Kentucky
A free learning platform for women entrepreneurs
 
What the heck is going on in the horse market right now?
By Tracy C. Gold, published by The Chronicle of the Horse
"Multiple offers over asking price. Selling before the listing is public. Flying off the market sight unseen. Am I talking about the house market? Nope. The horse market." Read more
 
Ryan Dohrn sales training tip
“Recognize that there’s 3 main categories of buyers. At any given time, only 3% of people are actively buying. About 40% of people are poised to begin some type of buying and about 57% are just not ready at all.” - Ryan Dohrn
 
Does advertising really work?
Join author and keynote speaker, Andrew Davis, as he embarks on a four-week, 1,500-mile adventure to figure out who (if anyone) we can trust with our precious advertising budget.
Watch part one of his journey of the #LoyaltyLoop.
Rebecca Didier
Meet a Member: Rebecca Didier
Interview by Jennifer Denison

Rebecca Didier is the managing editor and graphic designer for Trafalgar Square Books, where she works on a variety of projects "for the good of the horse." Since joining the staff 19 years ago, she's been part of AHP and a regular attendee at the annual Equine Media Conference where she values connecting with fellow equine media professionals and horse lovers. Read more about Rebecca here.

Rebecca will also be moderating a panel of equine book authors at the conference.

AHP Kicks Off its First AHP Student Fund
Online Auction September 1, 2021
 
The AHP Student Fund Online Auction supports the AHP Equine Media Student Award and other related AHP student programs that encourage and mentor talented young people seeking to enter the equine media profession.
 
This year, AHP is bringing the Student Fund Auction to AHP members all over the country by hosting its first online auction starting September 1, 2021. The AHP Student Fund Silent Auction has been a favorite at past AHP annual conferences and provided donors with an opportunity to display their items to conference attendees. This year, AHP will broaden the access to the online auction to all AHP members.

Forms for donating items for the auction are available online and will be accepted until August 27, 2021.
 
AHP members who want to volunteer to assist with the AHP Student Fund Online Auction should contact Judy Lincoln ahorsepubs2@aol.com for more information.
Did you know that staff members can also be added to the AHP e-list? Email Chris at ahorsepubs@aol.com with a list of staff email addresses you would like added to the AHP Newsgroup list or association news only list.

Interested in hosting an AHP eGathering? Have a great idea for a topic?

Have an idea for future newsletter articles?

Is there a topic you would like to see presented as a webinar?

For conference and membership questions: