Contrary to what you may have heard - business cards are more necessary than ever! Despite the Internet, email and other technological ways of marketing, the most popular marketing tool of small business owners is still the humble business card. We have even more contact methods to remember these days, not less.
Are you wasting your most powerful marketing weapon? Forget the classifieds, the billboards, the radio ads and even the banner exchanges. For sheer affordability and
versatility, you can't beat business cards.
Remember when you first started your business? If you're like most
small business owners, business cards were your first marketing-related
purchase. It was thrilling to see that fresh-printed symbol of business
legitimacy, wasn't it? Nothing says "I'm in business" like
passing out your very own business card.
Unfortunately, many people discover that not everyone is as eager to
GET their card as they are to GIVE it. You may not even be using your
cards much anymore.
Truth is, it's TOUGH to design an attention-getting card, find just the
right way to give it to prospects, and then organize all those cards you
collect. It takes some knowledge, and it takes some practice. But believe
me, it's worth it. Business cards are portable, versatile, readily
accepted worldwide, and so cheap you can't afford NOT to use them!
Convinced? Then here are some basic tips to get you started (or get you
going again.)
Designing an Attractive Business Card:
Who will use your card, and how? When will they get it? Answer those questions, and you'll have a much better idea of what should go on your business card. A previous customer probably needs to know less about
product benefits but may appreciate fuller contact information. Business cards that are usually given to prospective customers should be more marketing-oriented.
Keep it simple and legible, with plenty of white space. If you
overcrowd the card, it won't get read. The most basic info is your
name, your company name, and your phone number (which should be in
bold text or a larger size, if there are other numbers on the business card.)
Add color! The vast majority of business cards are printed in black ink on
white card stock. Full color business cards are available these days at very
economical prices, yet are still unique enough to attract attention.
Use your business card to drive traffic to your website.
Using Your Business Card:
The way you present your card has far more to do with your success
than your card itself. Presenting your card with both hands, as if it were something precious, makes it seem very important. Your prospect is almost certain to look at it, and remember it.
If you can't seem to find a suitable moment to give your business card to
someone you feel could be a great prospect, ask for his or her card.
(In fact, ask for two or three. Tell them you want extras to
distribute to people you know.) Odds are, they'll ask for your card in
return.
Introduce yourself with your business card. Hand your card to the
receptionist at the doctor's office, the hostess at the restaurant, or
the technician at the auto repair shop.
Include business cards with all correspondence. Enclose business cards when
you return rented goods… everything from tools to videotapes to
automobiles (especially if it's a luxury model!)
Offer to include business cards on your web site as a community
service (announce this to the media!)
Refer business to others. Offer to include the business cards of business
people you respect with your mailings, if they'll agree to do the same
with yours. Join a business networking group.
Business Card Organizational Strategies:
Write notes on the back of business cards you're given. You might want to jot down a date, event,
common interests, physical characteristics of the giver, type of
information you need to send, and so on. Do this right away, before
you forget. (When you want to be discreet about writing notes on the
back of newly acquired business cards, excuse yourself to go to the
restroom. Lock yourself in a stall and write!)
Rate prospects *A*, *B* or *C*, with *A* being a hot prospect and
*C* a lukewarm lead. Write the rating on the back of their business card.
Develop a system for carrying and collecting business cards, and
file them the way you remember them (by company name, person's name,
or industry.)
A cigarette case or compartmented coin purse can be used to
temporarily organize business cards.
It only makes sense to get maximum value from your marketing materials - so be sure to make your business cards work as hard as YOU do!™
The way you present your card has far more to do with your success
than your card itself. Presenting your card with both hands, as if it were something precious, makes it seem very important. Your prospect is almost certain to look at it, and remember it.