PrintEmail

Business cards are your most inexpensive, basic marketing tool. Every potential customer you meet should walk away from a discussion with you holding everything they need to know about your business on this one little card.

If you get it right your business card will continually help to open doors to new customers and new business opportunities, while keeping your existing customers coming back for more. And if you get it wrong you’ll waste a very valuable opportunity to make your business prominent in the minds of people for years to come. Let’s look at some of the basics of business cards and how to use them effectively.

What is on your business card?
Every business card should clearly state who you are and how to contact you. But it’s more than just that. Your business card should let your customers know what makes you different – to your direct competitors and to every other business that vies for their attention and dollars. It should answer every potential customer’s most basic question, “Why should I do business with you?” – not only in the words you use, but in the brand and image it portrays.

What image does your card portray?
Or business cards are the second impression your customers often receive of you and your business. A well dressed and well spoken businessperson with a shabby card loses credibility instantly. Keep the images and words on your cards up-to-date and always looking impeccable.

Have your cards professionally printed and bin any that are poorly presented or past their use by date – it’s an investment in marketing that will pay dividends every day. Treat yourself to a sharp business card holder (preferably branded) that fits in your pocket or purse to keep your cards protected.

How should you use your cards?
Business cards are the one marketing item you should be very generous with. Give them out freely to everyone who is interested in receiving one.

When you’re handing a card over it’s a great opportunity to encourage people to pass an extra one on to someone else they know who may also be interested in your business.

And always be respectful when receiving cards from others. We can learn a lesson here from the Japanese who receive a card with two hands, study it carefully and show the card (and the giver) great respect before they place it in their pocket.

How does your card measure up?
Take a good look at your business card and ask yourself a few questions. Can I easily read the words on the card? Does it clearly tell people who I am and how to contact me? Does it have a positioning statement that tells them in an instant why they should do business with me?

Are my cards clean, crisp, and professionally presented? When I want to pass one on to a potential customer do I pull out a classy card holder, or do I have to dig around in my overstuffed wallet/pocket/handbag and dust one off?

Remember the best networking tool you have is just one professional, inexpensive business card away!