How to effectively
use your business cards
What exactly
is a business card? For me, my business card is one of the least
expensive forms of advertising I possess.
Your business
card is your introduction to potential, clients, and prospects.
This is your opportunity to tell every person you come in contact
with what you have to offer them in writing. You've heard the
expression "get it in writing". With your business
card, you can give it to them in writing.
I have found
very reasonable prices at both Staples and OfficeMax. They offer
white paper, colored paper, black and white ink, two ink colors,
company logos etc.
When deciding
what to put on your business card, remember you want to entice
people not bore them. Stay away from fancy lacy print, it's
far too difficult to read. Don't cram so much into this small
space that each line runs together. So what exactly should you
put on your card? People want to know how to contact you, so
name, address, phone, fax and website if you have one are a
must. Company name lets your contact know exactly who you represent.
Many folks like to use a one liner describing their business.
Make this line something that is a selling point for your business.
My cards tell folks "132 years of excellence". With
so many businesses failing each year, I feel it's important
to let my contacts know that they are dealing with a company
that has been around for quite some time.
Have you
ever received a business card and turned it over? What do you
see? Usually nothing. I see this as a waste of valuable advertising
space. You can hand write a personal note. You can put labels
on that say any multitude of things. My favorite labels say
"call me to find out how this card can have your name on
the front". I print these on Avery labels and run them
off on my printer. Again, this is your opportunity to advertise
you and the company you represent.
Now, if
you are like me, you will soon be looking at a box with 1000
cards in it. When I saw my first box, I imagined them on the
shelf for the next 5 years collecting dust. What would I possibly
do with 1000 business cards?
Following
is a list of the many places I leave my business cards:
1. On
bulletin boards in stores and fast food establishments.
2. On the sink in public restrooms
3. On the counter of ATM machines
4. On the shelf of public telephones
5. In the shopping cart when Im done using it at
the grocery store
6. Inside the pages of library books for the next user
to find
7. On the tables of fast food restaurants
8. Inside magazines at the Dr's offices
9. In the pouch on the airplane seat in front of mine.
In addition
I hand out my cards to anyone I meet during my day. If I'm at
the grocery store and strike up a conversation with another
shopper, I end by handing her a business card. If I visit the
park with my kids, I hand business cards to all the other moms
there. When I mail bills, I always stick a business card in
with my payment. Whenever I write a thank you note to a customer,
I add two business cards, one for them and one for a friend.
Make it
a goal to hand out 100 cards per week and watch your business
grow!!
Audrey
Okaneko has been in network marketing for 17 years and has won
numerous trips and awards for her accomplishments. She can be
visited at http://www.shining-stars.com
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