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.

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.

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.

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/