Getting Business
Cards to Work for you!
by Tash Hughes of
Word
Constructions
The
business is named and you’re all ready for action;
business cards are printed and sitting in their box on
your desk. So, how do you get some cards off your desk
to people who might turn into clients or customers for
yo
Obviously, you
give out a card to anyone who asks you for contact
details and thus you need to always have cards with you.
It’s worth keeping some cards in your wallet/purse, car,
briefcase, a pocket and any other place that will keep
them handy; don’t forget some in a gym bag, a nappy bag
or diary.
Look after your
cards, though, and make sure they are always pristine
when you give them out. Consider keeping them in a pouch
or holder of some sort for protection.
The following
list includes some more creative ways to distribute your
cards; within the boundaries of taste and
professionalism, there is plenty of room for creativity!
v
Include a business card with every delivery of product
or completed service
v
Use the back of a card
to jot down a number or fact the other person
wants/needs
v
Ask for someone else’s
card as they will often ask for yours in return to be polite!
v
Hand one to anyone
looking for a bookmark or scrap of paper
v
Stick some on community
notice boards, such as in supermarkets and libraries –
check this is ok with the management first
v
Some restaurants and
shops have bowls or boards for collecting cards - add
yours!
v
Leave a card inside a
library book when you return it
v
Get them attached to
some newsletters, such as in a school or a sporting
group
v
Make them magnetic so
people will keep them on their fridge/filing cabinet
v
Have some available in
places potential customers may go – eg a stand at the
counter of a shop or restaurant
v
Include a card with all
correspondence, including invoices
v
Use your card as a
nametag instead of a plain label – just add a pin!
v
Arrange swaps of
business cards to distribute with complimentary
businesses
v
Give people two or
three cards so they can pass them on for you
v
Use a business card as
a label on your briefcase, suitcase, etc as it may be
seen and noted or asked about
v
Add them to showbags at
expos, displays, fetes and the like
v
Stick onto each book
or item that you lend out to others
v
Place them in with
cheques or other payments
v
Leave a card as a note
that you visited someone not available
v
Leave a card with the
tip at a restaurant
v
Exchanges at networking
functions
v
Announce your arrival
at the doctor, dentist, mechanic, etc by presenting your
card
v
Include special offers
on your card to attract people – these can be stickers on the back or hand written on the spot
v
Use cards as price tags
on your products, especially at markets and expos
Tash Hughes is
the owner of Word Constructions and assists businesses
in preparing all written documentation and web site
content. Tash also writes parenting and business articles for
inclusion in newsletter and web sites.
"Tash has so much
passion for what she does and can come up
with interesting articles on almost any
topic within a few hours." Ally Lamont
of
www.webgraphicsbyemail.com.au
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