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In Business
The Right Business Card Can Help You Get Business
Vicki Gerson
Most likely since the first day you decided to go into business, you’ve had a business card – or maybe many different style business cards. The problem is many people don’t know how to use them effectively or how to market them effectively.
Reno Lovison, author of Turn Your Business Card Into Business, wants to help you get the most from your business card. Lovison believes a business card can become your primary marketing tool. But one of the keys to marketing is to have good distribution strategy for your business card.
Lovison hopes your business card is clear and concise and does three things. The card tells what you do, what you have to offer, and how to contact you. Every time you pass out a business card, you hope it’s given or passed on to someone who wants to do business with you.
“You need to think outside the box,” says Lovison. “Business cards left in the box or a desk drawer will not do you any good.” Lovison believes business cards are most effective when presented by you personally.
Many times you’ve probably attended social functions or business meetings when people say they’ve run out of cards or forgot to bring them. This is a serious blunder. NEVER go anywhere without a few business cards in your wallet or purse. Women should even keep business cards in every purse they own, having them when attending parties, weddings, or other social events because you never know who you’ll meet.
Distribution Strategy
Lovison believes business people should be able to pass out 21 business cards per week. Every Monday morning they should add 21 cards to a business wallet that is empty by the following Monday morning. Keep this as your goal. It’s not as difficult as you think.
Besides giving your business cards to suppliers, employees, and alliance partners, there are other methods you can use to make sure your business card is seen. Although these strategies aren’t personal contact, consider putting your business card up on bulletin boards where it’s likely seen such as grocery stores, beauty shops, restaurants, train stations, and coffee shops. Besides being cheap advertising, you never know who might read your card.
Some business people may want to have unusual cards printed that are actually promotional cards. “A frequent customer program rewards patrons for multiple purchases or visits,” he says. Virtually all retail businesses can use a business card as a promotional card.
Some businesses create a business card that is actually a coupon card. This card can be a two-for-one dinner, a free manicure for first-time customers, or a free inspection of your car’s brakes. Another option if you want to do something a little different is to create a calendar card or team schedule. Put this information on the back of your business card.
As for the future of business cards, Lovison says, “Perhaps business cards in the near future will include barcodes or magnetic strips or smart chips that will enable the recipient to easily add our information into their PDAs or contact management software.”
Lovison believes that his book helps readers gain insight into how to use business cards as part of the marketing mix and how to present their company’s message. Hopefully, his business card tips will help business owners distribute business cards more wisely.
Vicki Gerson is president of Vicki Gerson & Associates, Inc. a print/web writing and public relations firm in Northbrook. 847-480-9087 | Vickigerson.com | writer@vickigerson.com.
Most likely since the first day you decided to go into business, you’ve had a business card – or maybe many different style business cards. The problem is many people don’t know how to use them effectively or how to market them effectively.
Reno Lovison, author of Turn Your Business Card Into Business, wants to help you get the most from your business card. Lovison believes a business card can become your primary marketing tool. But one of the keys to marketing is to have good distribution strategy for your business card.
Lovison hopes your business card is clear and concise and does three things. The card tells what you do, what you have to offer, and how to contact you. Every time you pass out a business card, you hope it’s given or passed on to someone who wants to do business with you.
“You need to think outside the box,” says Lovison. “Business cards left in the box or a desk drawer will not do you any good.” Lovison believes business cards are most effective when presented by you personally.
Many times you’ve probably attended social functions or business meetings when people say they’ve run out of cards or forgot to bring them. This is a serious blunder. NEVER go anywhere without a few business cards in your wallet or purse. Women should even keep business cards in every purse they own, having them when attending parties, weddings, or other social events because you never know who you’ll meet.
Distribution Strategy
Lovison believes business people should be able to pass out 21 business cards per week. Every Monday morning they should add 21 cards to a business wallet that is empty by the following Monday morning. Keep this as your goal. It’s not as difficult as you think.
Besides giving your business cards to suppliers, employees, and alliance partners, there are other methods you can use to make sure your business card is seen. Although these strategies aren’t personal contact, consider putting your business card up on bulletin boards where it’s likely seen such as grocery stores, beauty shops, restaurants, train stations, and coffee shops. Besides being cheap advertising, you never know who might read your card.
Some business people may want to have unusual cards printed that are actually promotional cards. “A frequent customer program rewards patrons for multiple purchases or visits,” he says. Virtually all retail businesses can use a business card as a promotional card.
Some businesses create a business card that is actually a coupon card. This card can be a two-for-one dinner, a free manicure for first-time customers, or a free inspection of your car’s brakes. Another option if you want to do something a little different is to create a calendar card or team schedule. Put this information on the back of your business card.
As for the future of business cards, Lovison says, “Perhaps business cards in the near future will include barcodes or magnetic strips or smart chips that will enable the recipient to easily add our information into their PDAs or contact management software.”
Lovison believes that his book helps readers gain insight into how to use business cards as part of the marketing mix and how to present their company’s message. Hopefully, his business card tips will help business owners distribute business cards more wisely.
Vicki Gerson is president of Vicki Gerson & Associates, Inc. a print/web writing and public relations firm in Northbrook. 847-480-9087 | Vickigerson.com | writer@vickigerson.com.
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