Business Cards - Play a winning Brand
Business Cards - Play a winning Brand
Business Cards - Play a winning Brand
Business cards are one of the lowest cost and most effective means of marketing your business you can find. Even though they can be held in the palm of your hand, this is not the time, to go for cheap and easy. After all, your business cards will go places you might not get to and stay longer than you do. If you go to the trouble to create professional business cards, your unique message will compel people to want to do business with you. Providing it survives the initial garbage toss, your card could stay in a file or folder for years continuously presenting your brand to the seeking eye.
Personally branding your business card is about making a positive impression.
Start with your personal brand statement. Your name and title should answer 3 questions for the recipient of your card:
* Who are you?
* What do you do best?
* Whom do you serve?
Include your marketing message. Think outside the box. In ten words or less distinguish yourself. State what problems you solve. Be different.
Look at cards from both sides now. Have you ever received a business card without turning it over to see what's on the back? Make sure you have that six square inches working for you. Offer something. Perhaps an article, "10 Ways to the Best... (your expertise goes here)". Provide a link. Trust me the next step will be getting their information.
Quality is Job #1. Do not use inkjet printed cards or cards printed with your home computer. You want your brand to shine above the rest. Think of ways to stand out in these areas.
* Name.
* Personal picture. Like it or lump it, many people never forget a face.
* Logo.
* Contact information.
* URL(s)
* Font
* Your personal brand statement.
Once you've got a well-branded professionally produced card take a few minutes to come up with creative ways to distribute them. We can all think of ways we have had cards forced on us or places where we came across someone's inappropriately placed card. Think of your goals. Think of the time, places and events that represent the best networking opportunities. Now, using good taste and professionalism, double check the following list. Have you used these ideas in networking with your business cards?
* Use the back of your card to jot down a number or fact that the other person wants or needs.
* Hand your card to anyone looking for a bookmark or a scrap of paper.
* Attach your card to newsletters, your own or someone else's that you're sharing.
* Include your business card with all correspondence.
* Stick your business card into each book or item that you lend or present to others.
* Place business cards in with cheques or other payments.
* Leave a business card as a note to let someone unavailable know that you visited
* Include special offers on your business card to attract people - these can be stickers on the back or handwritten on the spot.
Eight out of eight is great! From now on you will instantly know when your predetermined prospect is in the right place at the right time. You've made a great start but don't stop now. Always be on the lookout for ways to use your cards to start conversations, generate leads or grow your business but, if you don`t remember anything else, remember this:
DON'T GIVE OUT ONE BUSINESS CARD!
Whenever you find yourself about to give out a business card, "Don't do it!" Never give one card at a time. Give at least three, with the simple request "If you know anyone else who needs what I do please feel free to share my card with them. You will be surprised at how often this will result in a referral. After all, you have made your contact feel great because you have respected their judgment, their personal contacts and their ability to network. That looks like a winning brand to me!
Thank you for tapping in to "Business Cards: Play a Winning Brand".
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