5 Ways to Use Your Business Cards More Effectively
1-2-3
How to create professional business cards online free and use them for marketing your
business.
Contrary to popular belief, the best use of business cards is not making origami or collecting dust. But, in
this article you will find 5 of the most effective ways to use your business cards on a daily basis!
When Joe Girard, the world's greatest salesman, was selling cars he would frequently go to Detroit Lions
football games.
Even though he could afford more expensive seats, he chose to sit in the upper deck and whenever the Lions
scored, he would throw business cards off the top deck onto the expensive seats below that offered a discount
on a new car that was only good the following day.
Joe Girard's example leads us to our first point:
Be Creative
An instructor at a karate class might hand out business cards at his son's t-ball game that say "First
Lesson Free with this card". A pet store owner might give out business cards that have an offer for a free
goldfish, or 10% off a purchase over $100.
No matter what your type of business, there is a creative way to get your business cards into the hands of
buyers.
If you can think of these creative ways before your competition does, you are one step ahead, and you will
see the increase in business.
Remember the 1 to 1 ratio
The 1 to 1 ratio is the easiest formula you'll ever need to know. If you talk to someone for more than 1
minute, they should have 1 of your business cards in their hand. That is the 1 to 1 ratio.
Basically that means that you need to find a way to talk about what you do, and get your business card in
their hand within the first minute of the conversation.
Think of it as an elevator conversation. This prospect will be getting off of your elevator soon, so you
have a short time to get that business card into their hand.
Make them keepers
Once you have your business card in the hand of your potential prospects, what is going to make them keep
it?
Unless you are selling air and water, potential clients probably don't need what you sell, but hopefully
they want what you sell.
Since most of us are not in a need based business we have to get our potential clients a reason to remember
us and keep our cards.
Why does someone want your business card? If you cannot answer that easily, maybe it is time to think about
a new business card design.
Does your business card have valuable information on it? By valuable I mean a map, discount, calendar,
measurements, charts or anything relevant to your industry?
If it doesn't, you may want to think about adding a value feature to your business card.
Leave them where you spend your money
Just last night I went to eat at a Mexican restaurant, and sitting on the counter I saw about 30 cards for a
car salesman sitting in a plastic business card holder. I asked the girl at the counter why they were there and
she said "He said he was going to leave them for customers."
This is just one example of somewhere you could leave your business cards. Other places include barber or
beauty shops, medical offices including dentists, family medicine, chiropractors, and hospitals.
These places are prime territory!
Remember to ask if they mind, and tell they how much you appreciate it.
Ask for an opinion
"Can I ask you a quick question? What do you think of my new business card design?" Then you hand them a
business card.
No matter what they say, now they have your business card. When they try to hand it back, tell them you had
thousands printed, and they can have that one.
Thank them for their time and tell them if they ever need what you sell or promote, your contact information
is on the card.
If you were able to implement just one of these 5 ideas each day, you would have more
business that you could handle!
More information on professional business cards:
About The Author: Brandon Hopkins is the owner and founder of Business Cards Free, the most
informative business card site on the internet. He is available for speaking engagements, article writing
and business card advice. He may be contacted through his website at
http://www.Business-Cards-Free.com.
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