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Do You Know Where YOUR Business Cards Are?

July 9, 2010 by Cathy Stucker Leave a Comment

Business cards are a powerful, inexpensive marketing tool, but you’re probably not using them to their potential. 

If your business cards are in a box on your shelf–WRONG ANSWER!

Of course, you should give your cards out when you meet with a client or prospective client. Give them to people you meet at networking events, in line at the post office, or just about anywhere you can strike up a conversation with someone. Those are the obvious times to present your card.

Here are a few ways to use business cards which you may not have considered.

Look for displays of business cards at local merchants, your printer, private mail services, etc. Ask about adding your card.  It may be a free service for their customers, and expose your business to other customers.

Put your cards on bulletin boards at the grocery store and other locations frequented by your potential customers.

Give a supply of cards to people who can make referrals to you.  Make it easy for them and they will send customers your way. 

Drop a card into every piece of outgoing mail. You never know when the envelope will be opened by someone looking for what you offer.

If you think the cards you are using are too expensive to spread around, you’ve got the wrong idea of what business cards are for. But you could get a less expensive card printed just for mass distribution.

Consider having cards printed up for special purposes. For example, I had a box of cards printed for one of my books. The focus is on the book, not on me. I put the cards out lots of places, and got calls and sales as a result. It sounds silly, but the first sale from doing so more than paid for the whole box of cards!

Don’t be afraid to spread your cards around. Remember that each exposure to you, your name, your business, your products, etc. brings you closer to a sale. Use business cards to reach a wider audience.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Marketing

Create a Business Card Site

October 23, 2008 by Cathy Stucker Leave a Comment

Help people find all of the places you are online by creating a business card site.

I have several web sites, blogs and social media profiles. When I was trying to figure out how to put all of them on a business card, I realized I would need a business scroll instead of a card. As that did not seem practical, I came up with another solution: http://www.ConnectWithCathy.com/ (Note: I recently wrote a blog post about how important it is to IdeaLady.com (my primary site)

ConnectWithCathy.com (my new “business card” site)

If you have online presence in multiple places, you may want to do a site similar to ConnectWithCathy. This is a simple thing to do–I spent less than an hour on mine. Here is how I did it, and how you can create a business card site of your own.

First, choose a domain name. You might want to use your name or something like (name)Online.com or About(name).com or some other variation. Keep the URL short and simple, so you can give it out verbally as well as putting it on your cards and other materials.

Create the page however it is easiest for you. I decided to use WordPress, but you might use an HTML page or a page from your favorite site building software. Many web hosting companies (including the web hosting company I recommend) include programs with templates to build simple sites.

Need some help with design? There are links to 40 free one-column HTML templates here. And if you use WordPress, there are 30 free one-column WordPress themes here.

I suggest using a one-column design because all you really need to do is list a bunch of sites and links. One column keeps it simple and neat. Of course, you also want the page to be easy to edit, because you will want to update the page whenever you have a new online presence.

Think of the ways people can find you, contact you and interact with you. You might include your mailing address, phone numbers, email address, IM names and other contact information, as well as your web sites, blogs and social media pages.

In addition to your business sites, you may choose to include your hobby and volunteer sites and profiles. Of course, you should not include anything that you do not want your business contacts to see.

Let me know when you get your “business card page” up!

Filed Under: Business Cards, Creative Ideas, Internet Marketing, Marketing

Business Card Check-Up

October 13, 2008 by Cathy Stucker Leave a Comment

Business cards are inexpensive and effective marketing tools. Here is what yours should be doing for you . . .

Copyright Cathy Stucker

Have you looked at your business card lately? Reach into your pocket and pull one out right now. Don’t have one? Unless you’re wearing your bathrobe (or nothing at all!) you’re off to a bad start. You should always have a supply of business cards with you.

Now take a good look at it. Is the information correct? Have you or your company changed name? Are the address and phone numbers right? Does the card include your correct web site URL and email address?

You may also want to include your specializations, the area you serve, your hours or other information important to your customers. List any relevant certifications, awards and memberships on your card. They build credibility.

Are you active on social networking sites? List links to your profiles on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

If your company name doesn’t immediately make it obvious what you do, make sure your card does. Use a slogan or tag line.

Is your card professional? What that means depends on your market, but at a minimum: No typos or misspelled words, a nice layout with plenty of white space, attractive colors (or crisp black and white), and an easy to read typeface. 

Photo business cards can be effective for those who provide personal services. A logo or color type will give the impression of quality.

Don’t forget the back. You can use that space to make your card more useful to customers–and therefore increase the chances they will keep it and refer to it. You may want to print a coupon or a map with directions to your location.

Print customer testimonials on the back of your card. Sayings, quotations, or jokes printed on your cards may cause them to be shared and saved. Tips or resources can make your card especially important. Is there a list of web sites that would be of interest to your customers?

Create a survey or response card, and promise a free gift (such as a product sample) when they respond. Of course, you will also send them another card!

Print a form to encourage people to pass your card along as a referral. It might include a pre-printed message and a place for the referrer to sign his name.

Many business card printers can print Rolodex(tm) cards. Consider using them instead of (or in addition to) standard business cards.

Magnetic business cards help customers keep your cards handy. Should your card be on customers’ refrigerators? Magnets make it easy.

If most of your contacts are online, consider getting an electronic card. VistaPrint

offers an electronic business card option when you purchase printed cards from them.

There are also business cards available on mini-CDs. They will hold more than 30MB of data, including your catalog, sound and video files and more. CD business cards can be effective if you need to get a lot of data into the hands of your customers (and they are likely to actually put the card into the computer to view it).

Business cards are inexpensive. Make yours represent you well, and use them often.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Marketing

Making a “Big” Impression

August 27, 2008 by Cathy Stucker Leave a Comment

You do not need to be a big business to make a strong impression. Learn the simple ways any small business can make a big impression.

Copyright Cathy Stucker

Many small businesses think they must look bigger than they are in order to be competitive. Those who are home-based try to hide that fact, and some solo-preneurs even create phantom employees.

Much of the stigma that used to be attached to being small no longer exists. More important than looking big is to project a professional image in all aspects of your business. That includes your printed materials, web site, telephone service and more.

First of all, you must have a web site. One of the first things many potential customers will do is search for you online. If they do not find an online presence, they will wonder how serious you are about your business. Your site does not have to be complicated, just a few pages with information about your company and what you do for customers along with contact information, such as your telephone number.

When customers call, what do they hear? Your phone should be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the nature of your business, you may use an answering service or a voice mail system for times when you are unavailable. If customers may need an urgent reply, an answering service is better. If you have a retail location, your voice mail should give the hours your store is open.

When using a voice mail system, you can have your message professionally voiced. This not only makes your company sound good, it gives the impression of being a larger company. And getting a simple message recorded can be a low-cost, one-time expense.

Printed materials need to be high-quality. Laser printers are more affordable than ever, especially when you consider the cost of consumables (i.e., toner vs. ink cartridges). Color laser printers are available for prices starting under $500. Letters and proposals will look better than ever.

Do you have a logo? You can get logo design for just $149

at The Logo Company. A professionally designed logo makes your business look better. Carry through the logo and color scheme on all of your printed materials, and your Web site, too.

And what about those phantom employees? Fashioning employees out of thin air creates logistical problems as well as ethical issues. However, it is possible to have staff without hiring full-time employees. Help may be right down the hall from your home office. Do you have a spouse or teenagers who can help out in your business? Employing your children can even provide tax benefits, and it gives them business experience that will be valuable in their careers.

Virtual assistants, interns and temporary help are all available. Not only do they free you to spend your time most profitably, they can give you that “big company” look.  Or outsource specific tasks, such as hiring someone to act as your publicist to handle distributing press releases and serve as the media contact.

Pay attention to how you appear to clients, and soon your small business may be much bigger.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Business Start Ups, Marketing, Running Your Business, Working Smarter

Seven Simple Ways to Use Your Business Cards

March 24, 2008 by Cathy Stucker Leave a Comment

Business cards are an inexpensive marketing tool, but they are only useful when they are out of your hands and into the hands of others. Here are seven tips to help you get the most from your business cards.

You have that big box of business cards, fresh from the printer, there on your desk. So, what will you do with them? Business cards are an inexpensive marketing tool, but they are only useful when they are out of your hands and into the hands of others.

Always carry a supply of cards with you, wherever you go. You never know when you will have an opportunity to give one to someone who may become a customer, or who knows someone who may become a customer. Having cards in your pocket or purse means that you will never miss out on a chance to promote yourself. Of course, keep the cards protected in a case. You do not want to hand out a card that is wrinkled and creased, smeared with lipstick, or has an old breath mint stuck to it.

Start with the following seven suggestions on using your business cards, and always look for more ways to get your cards to people who could become your customers.

Hand out cards at networking events, and anywhere you meet potential customers. When you make a sales call, give a card to your contact. Give one to the receptionist when you arrive for an appointment, so they can refer to it when announcing you.

Provide a supply of cards to customers and associates who are in a position to refer others to you. It will be easier for them to do if you make sure they always have lots of your cards on hand.

Drop two cards in every envelope you send out. Whether you are sending sales letters to prospects, invoices to clients, or a check to a vendor, include your business cards. Do this with both your business and personal mail. You never know who will open the envelope and find your cards.

Add your cards to card displays at local businesses. My dry cleaner allows customers to put a stack of business cards on shelves near the counter. Some simply place a few cards on the shelf, others supply a cardholder to display them upright and keep them neatly organized. I have also seen bulletin boards and card holders at a number of other businesses. Whenever you see a place that allows you to add your cards, do so.

Include a few business cards in your media kit. Sending cards when you send media releases or full media kits means the media outlet can easily give your contact information to multiple staff members who may be working on stories in your field.

When a radio station schedules an interview with you and requests your media kit, be sure to ask them to share your card with their receptionist. That way, the person who answers the phone will be able to pass your contact information to anyone who calls the station after hearing your interview.

When you see articles that may be of interest to your customers, send a copy with your business card attached.

Don’t hoard your business cards. Give them freely.

As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker helps entrepreneurs and professionals attract customers and make themselves famous. Get free marketing tips at http://www.IdeaLady.com/

Filed Under: Business Cards, Marketing

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