·· Business card marketing ··
Small Cards, Big Ideas: Alternative Uses for Business Cards
Aggressive business card marketing isn't about handing your business cards out to everyone you see. The card itself must have a new use, an innovative design, or something other than the usual contact information printed on it.
To
make your little card stand out, try these other ideas. Print something
other than a business card on biz card-sized cardstock. You have
seen loyalty cards for "buy 10 get one free" offers; why
not print one of your own? Print a frequent buyer card or other
promotional offer on a card. The whole card can be a coupon for
a free consultation, a discount, or a free gift with purchase. Remember
include an expiration date on them! Then hand them out to all your
customers.
Print a short survey on a card. Offer an incentive for people to
return the card to you with the survey answered--they can get a
free gift or a discount just for answering a few simple questions.
Then give them a new card with your contact information on it.
Other
things you might print on this size cardstock include:
• Hangtags
• Nametags
• Tickets to an event; or
• Tiny greeting cards you might attach to a gift basket or
other gift.
It's always nice to handwrite a personal note when using them as
greeting cards. A quick "thank you" or "best wishes"
goes a long way. Or, announce a special event and enclose the cards
with all your outgoing correspondence.
Make
your business card a referral card for your organization or club.
That will make it easy to invite a prospect to your next meeting
or to introduce the organization to them. On the front, print a
form to fill in the date, time and location. On the back, include
a brief overview of the club. Let members hand them out to potential
recruits.
Turn them into appointment cards.
On one side, you can print your name, address, phone, fax and email plus your business name and logo. On the other side, leave room to fill in the date and time of your customer's next appointment. They will keep it in their wallet or planner and always have your information at their fingertips. You could also print a map of your location on the back or directions on how to reach your store or office.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that a little card can have a big impact on your marketing if you employ some creativity. Once you are finished with your designs, upload them to a professional business card printer who will print the cards for you.
Tags · Business cards · Ideas · Tips · Marketing
24.09.2008. 04:18
Keep your business cards out of the rubbish
OK, you have gone through all the trouble of thinking up a business card idea, hiring a designer and spending many hours with them trying to come up with what you think is the perfect business card design before going to your printers and get your business card printed. You are very proud of your new business cards, you think all the work you have put into them has paid of. Later on you meet someone and proudly hand over your business card at the first chance, upon leaving you are see them throwing your business card away in the trash can as they walk away.
Unfortunately this is a very likely case, with most business cards received being thrown away.
If you have just met someone and you come on to strong, it may sound like a sales pitch which nobody likes. Try doing it passively, maybe by bringing up the question "what do you do for work?", followed by "do you hand a business card?". After receiving their business card you have the opportunity to present your card. Doing it this way you can indirectly hand out your business card and seem more sincere.
People do business with people that they feel more comfortable and that they feel they can trust. It is therefore very important that you come across as being sincere. If you are meeting someone new try asking more questions about themselves and getting to know them a bit better. While maybe the only reason you are talking to them is to get your business card across you need to remember that you must appear sincere and trustworthy to this other party or else it could just be a waste of time giving them a business card if they have a bad impression of you.
Remember if the receiver feels there is a connection or some kind of friendship with you they will much more likely hand onto your business card and pull it out when they are in need of your product or service.
If that particular person already uses another company for the type of product or service you offer, good networking habits can still be very beneficial to you. It is true that many people are often already loyal to another company for the products or services that you offer simply because they are a friend, relative, or owe obligations to them.
Good networking habits have far greater value for you because although they are often loyal to another company they will usually feel very comfortable referring you to someone else they know who is seeking your particular product or service.
Tags · Business cards · marketing · effectively
24.09.2008. 04:11
Business and greeting cards. Use them effectively for your business
What have business cards got to do with greeting cards? you may ask. One is small, used to convey your contact details of your business to people, and handed directly to the recipient. The other is large, sent on special occasions to convey your best wishes to the receiver, and usually sent to the recipient in the mail.
Although at first appearance these two kinds of cards may appear too be very different at first glance, they actually share a lot of similarities and can both be used as effective marketing tools for your business. Business cards and greeting cards almost go hand in hand when being used for marketing and business purposes
Here are a couple extra tips on how you can use business cards and greeting cards in your business promotion:
Business Cards
Use business cards to store 'easily forgotten' information.
Business cards not only can contain lots of information about a company, but they can also provide a place to add comments or information regarding the person in a place where they are always accessible.
Business cards are a great place where you can add information. Find a spare spot on the business card and jot down some important information which may come handy later.
Remembering details is very important, especially in business where relationships are so important. Try writing down information like birthdays, spouse or children names, favorite restaurants, etc. If brought up in later meetings this 'easy forgotten' information can really impress the person and help bond and strengthen business relationships.
The Greeting Card
We are presently in the technology-age, where our lives are greatly impacted by the new technologies around us. We spend hours everyday in front of computers both at work and at home, and a lot of our communication is now done through this medium. E-mail, e-cards, faxes, and sms, all play an important role in the way we communicate with each other. While the speed and efficiency of these types of communication is clear, many people are complaining about the 'personal touch' that has been lost.
Compare handwritten letters to emails. Or a nice Christmas card received in the mail to a Christmas e-card received in your email. The 'personal touch' is much more likely to make a better impression and will most likely avoid being deleted straight away.
This is where greeting cards can be a great marketing tool. Rather than an email a greeting card can provide the same marketing and also have a much better chance of being kept and displayed in a better place.
Try keeping a list of customer birthdays or anniversary's, or other special occasions. By sending them a hand written note inside the card, you will be reminding them of your business while at the same time impressing them that you remembered them on the special occasion. You can use any special occasion at all (Christmas, Easter, etc.) to send your messages to your clients, helping you bond closer relationships and ensuring they do not forget about you.
Try to avoid including a business card inside the greeting card. This could be considered overkill and you may lose the 'personal touch' by doing so.
With the price of printing coming down, you could also consider getting custom cards designed and printed.
The business card and greeting card are two effective ways to build and strengthen the relationships you have with your customers, which will ultimately result in more business for you.
Tags · Business cards · Greeting cards · Christmas cards · Cards · Marketing
23.09.2008. 04:52