How to Turn your Business Card into a Marketing
Machine
The humble business card is one of the most
powerful marketing tools available. Inexpensive, convenient to
carry and yet, arguably, also one of the most under-utilised. Every
time it is handed out is an opportunity to market to a new contact.
Turning your business card into a marketing machine isn't terribly
tricky. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Make sure your name and logo appear on the front of your
business card. This may seem like a 'no-brainer' but surprisingly,
many business cards simply display the cardholder's name and
contact details.
- Explain clearly and simply what you do. If the purpose of your
business isn't spelt out in the name, add a short phrase. For
example: H. G Smith & Sons doesn't tell us much about the
business. Adding the phrase "Builders specialising in hillside
dwellings" not only explains what H.G. Smith & Sons do, it also
defines their target market.
- Give people a reason to contact you instead of your competitor.
Do you offer a discount on certain things? Free quotes? Like me,
perhaps you give away a free report to every newsletter subscriber.
Put it onthe card! Tell everyone, lucky enough to receive one of
your business cards, how much they will benefit from using your
service or product.
- Design your card to be easily read. A 'busy' design full of
fancy graphics and bright colours will draw attention away from
your message.
- Make it easy to contact you. Your details should be in plain
sight on the front of the card. If the cardholder has to spend time
looking for your phone number or website, the card is not working
for you.
- Finally, don't be afraid to hand it out! Give a card to the
plumber when he fixes your sink, to the mechanic when she fixes
your car. Ask local businesses for permission to leave some at
their front desks. You never know how many times one of your cards
will change hands and how many leads it will generate.
Ah yes, the days when a business card was simply
a name and phone number are truly gone. It is now every business'
portable marketing machine.
Make it work for you!
© Carol Dorman 2007
Carol Dorman, owner of Quill Writing
Services, also publishes Communicate, the monthly
newsletter for small business owners who want to raise their
profiles and increase their profits by harnessing the power of
words. Subscribe today athttp://www.quillwritingservices.com.au and
receive a free copy of her report: How to Convince your
Target Market to Buy from You.
The humble business card is one of the most
powerful marketing tools available. Inexpensive, convenient to
carry and yet, arguably, also one of the most under-utilised. Every
time it is handed out is an opportunity to market to a new contact.
Turning your business card into a marketing machine isn't terribly
tricky. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Make sure your name and logo appear on the front of your
business card. This may seem like a 'no-brainer' but surprisingly,
many business cards simply display the cardholder's name and
contact details.
- Explain clearly and simply what you do. If the purpose of your
business isn't spelt out in the name, add a short phrase. For
example: H. G Smith & Sons doesn't tell us much about the
business. Adding the phrase "Builders specialising in hillside
dwellings" not only explains what H.G. Smith & Sons do, it also
defines their target market.
- Give people a reason to contact you instead of your competitor.
Do you offer a discount on certain things? Free quotes? Like me,
perhaps you give away a free report to every newsletter subscriber.
Put it onthe card! Tell everyone, lucky enough to receive one of
your business cards, how much they will benefit from using your
service or product.
- Design your card to be easily read. A 'busy' design full of
fancy graphics and bright colours will draw attention away from
your message.
- Make it easy to contact you. Your details should be in plain
sight on the front of the card. If the cardholder has to spend time
looking for your phone number or website, the card is not working
for you.
- Finally, don't be afraid to hand it out! Give a card to the
plumber when he fixes your sink, to the mechanic when she fixes
your car. Ask local businesses for permission to leave some at
their front desks. You never know how many times one of your cards
will change hands and how many leads it will generate.
Ah yes, the days when a business card was simply
a name and phone number are truly gone. It is now every business'
portable marketing machine.
Make it work for you!
© Carol Dorman 2007
Carol Dorman, owner of Quill Writing
Services, also publishes Communicate, the monthly
newsletter for small business owners who want to raise their
profiles and increase their profits by harnessing the power of
words. Subscribe today athttp://www.quillwritingservices.com.au and
receive a free copy of her report: How to Convince your
Target Market to Buy from You. |
