Creative Biz Builders

What exactly is a business card? Your business card is one of the least expensive forms of advertising you possess!

Your business card is your introduction to everyone you meet. 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.

When deciding what to put on your business card, remember–you want to entice people not bore them. Stay away from fancy lacy fonts, they’re far too difficult to read. I have thrown away many cards where the font was too hard to read, or the print was too small. 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 your name, address, phone, fax and website if you have one are a must.. Many folks like to use a one liner describing their business. This is often called a tagline.

Make this line something that is a selling point for your business. If you own a cleaning business, what about the phrase “Queen of Clean?” If you own a lawn service, what about the phrase “A Green Thumb For Your Lawn?” Just one line that lets others know what you do.

Have you ever received a business card and turned it over? What do you see? Usually, it’s blank. There is so much you can do on the back of a business card!

You can hand write a personal note.
You can offer a discount (Refer A Friend? Volume discount?)
You can use this space for a small ad, if your goal is to sell something with your card.

Now, if you are like me, you will soon be looking at a box with 1000 cards in it and thinking you ordered too many. 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 you can leave your business cards:

1. On bulletin boards in stores and fast food establishments
2. On the sink counter in public restrooms
3. On the counter of ATM machines
4. In the shopping cart when you’re done using it at the grocery store
5. Inside the pages of library books for the next user to find
6. On the tables of fast food restaurants
7. Inside magazines at the Dr’s offices
8. In the pouch on the airplane seat in front of mine.

These are just a few suggestions. The idea is you want to get your card out there for others to see. Marketing in general is about your name being recognized.

In addition, hand out your business cards to anyone you meet during the day. If you’re at the grocery store and strike up a conversation with another shopper, hand her a business card before you leave. If you visit the park with your kids, hand business cards to all the other moms there.

When I used to mail my bill payments, I always stuck a business card in with my payment (I make online payments now). 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!

Promote Your Business With Style,
Sylvia

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