Why would a mystery shopper have business cards? After all, our work is done secretly. However, business cards can be an important marketing tool for a mystery shopper, and set you apart as a serious professional. Learn what should be on your business cards, and the important ways to use your cards to enhance your reputation as a professional mystery shopper.
As mystery shoppers, we are independent contractors. That means that we are responsible for marketing our services to mystery shopping companies. When you have business cards, mystery shopping companies see it as evidence that you take your shopping career seriously and you treat it as a business. The most important reason to have business cards is so you can present them when dealing with mystery shopping companies.
You may have the opportunity to meet mystery shopping company representatives if you attend an MSPA certification workshop or the annual shopper educational conference. Being able to hand them a business card helps to make a great impression.
Back when I started mystery shopping (in 1995), most of the interaction with companies was through the mail. Although today most assignments are handled via the internet, there are still times when you mail something to a company, such as a signed Independent Contractor Agreement, receipt or other shop documentation. Attaching a business card is neater and more professional than scrawling your name and contact information on a slip of paper. You can also attach your business card to items you scan or fax to mystery shopping companies.
So what information should be on your card? At a minimum, your name, phone number(s) and email address. You should also indicate where you shop, such as a range of cities or a region. If you are MSPA certified, indicate your certification status. You may include your mailing address. If you have a lot of experience, mention how many years you have mystery shopped.
Although a title is not necessary, you could say you are a mystery shopper, or you could say customer service evaluator, retail auditor or some other euphemism. If you also do merchandising and demos, you may mention that, too.
Your business cards should be polished and professional. Order them from a professional printer (see the links on this page) or print them on your computer printer, but make them look good.
Once you have them, use them! Business cards will not do you any good sitting in a desk drawer.
Cathy Stucker is the author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual.
A very good article. You are a very good writer and I look forward to reading more of your articles in the very near future. Thank you for doing all of this leg work for us.
Cathy, Glad to see you writing about this topic. Too often, careful thought is not given to the creation of business cards. We all need a “refresher course” from time to time regarding what we should put on the business cards that represent us. Thanks for writing your blog!
I never thought of having business cards. That is an excellent suggestion and you can get real inexpensive ones. Great topic. Thanks 😀
Hi Cathy. Thanks for letting everyone know how important our business cards represent us. I have given cards to several of my friends along with a list of web sites for them to “sign up”. My business cards also list “the kind” of mystery shops I do. As a side note – I also have cards for my event and demo work.