There are many different mediums of communication used in marketing and sales, but I would say the one universal marketing piece that is simply expected is the business card. Since everyone uses them, I am often surprised at the lack of creativity that goes into the designing of business cards.
Let's face it, most are thrown away. A business card is meant to be kept for the contact information it provides about you and your service. How will your prospect or customer contact you when they need to reach you if your card is tossed into the T file rather than filed in the rolodex? What will they think of you if your card is boring and unimaginative? How can you prevent your card from ending up in a landfill? I have some suggestions.
Create a business card that is truly unique and relevant to your business. Some examples are for the auto industry, create a business card made from recycled tires; a rolodex card would make sense for the telecom industry, and my card is made from seeded paper (the part without my contact information) which can be planted to reflect our focus on eco friendly promotional marketing. These are more than business cards. These are marketing tools that immediately create a feeling of trust with the recipient because there is relevancy and creativity associated with the business card.
If you are not in an industry that would allow for creativity in the design of your business card, I would recommend coupling your card with a promotional item. Today, Tracy Sharrar, a local realtor with Windermere Real Estate dropped by my office and left her business card along with a pie server. The pie server says, “No matter how you slice it…you and your referrals are the best!” and attached to that is a tag with her card, which says, “Home is where the heart is.” with an image of a pie.
I will think of Tracy every time I serve up a slice of pie. Her piece is not only relevant in the message, but it is used in the home. That's a perfect example of an effective leave-behind along with a business card.
The next time you need to order business cards, ask yourself, “What does this card say about me and my business? Will it do the job of sticking around so my contact information is readily available when the recipient needs to get in touch with me? If not, should I include a promotional giveaway that would be kept or should I redesign the card?”
The answers to these important questions could determine how much new business you get from your prospecting meetings.
Reena Jordan can be reached at [email protected].
Let's face it, most are thrown away. A business card is meant to be kept for the contact information it provides about you and your service. How will your prospect or customer contact you when they need to reach you if your card is tossed into the T file rather than filed in the rolodex? What will they think of you if your card is boring and unimaginative? How can you prevent your card from ending up in a landfill? I have some suggestions.
Create a business card that is truly unique and relevant to your business. Some examples are for the auto industry, create a business card made from recycled tires; a rolodex card would make sense for the telecom industry, and my card is made from seeded paper (the part without my contact information) which can be planted to reflect our focus on eco friendly promotional marketing. These are more than business cards. These are marketing tools that immediately create a feeling of trust with the recipient because there is relevancy and creativity associated with the business card.
If you are not in an industry that would allow for creativity in the design of your business card, I would recommend coupling your card with a promotional item. Today, Tracy Sharrar, a local realtor with Windermere Real Estate dropped by my office and left her business card along with a pie server. The pie server says, “No matter how you slice it…you and your referrals are the best!” and attached to that is a tag with her card, which says, “Home is where the heart is.” with an image of a pie.
I will think of Tracy every time I serve up a slice of pie. Her piece is not only relevant in the message, but it is used in the home. That's a perfect example of an effective leave-behind along with a business card.
The next time you need to order business cards, ask yourself, “What does this card say about me and my business? Will it do the job of sticking around so my contact information is readily available when the recipient needs to get in touch with me? If not, should I include a promotional giveaway that would be kept or should I redesign the card?”
The answers to these important questions could determine how much new business you get from your prospecting meetings.
Reena Jordan can be reached at [email protected].