Giving a business card is a crucial part of marketing yourself and your company or organisation. If done correctly it speaks volumes about how you would like to be perceived and how serious you are about marketing. A business card is just as important of you are out of work, you don’t always carry CV’s around with you, so should the opportunity arise at any time you are placed in front of a prospective employer – this is the prefect time to offer them a business card which will show that you are prepared and give a professional approach to personal contact.

Here are some proven reasons for how a business card can land you a job or help create that important business opportunity.

1: Never leave home without them.

Whenever you leave your house these days we have a checklist of items we carry: house keys, car keys, wallet/purse, coat – now added to my list is Business Cards. Your commute into work can open up a whole heap of networking opportunities Via the local convenience store, petrol station, on the train – so its important to make it a habit of always carrying business cards within your purse or wallet.

2: Send when paying bills.

Paying bills by post is always a really simple way to advertise. Everytime you put a cheque in the post, just add a business card into the envelope. If you are sending regular payments to the same place then there is no need to do this continually, but on the first post then do it, its costs a fraction of a penny to send each one – yet its an opportunity that the recipient will hang on it and contact you in the future.

3. Good manners when giving a business card

Always ask for one in return. This means that you are serious about keeping contact with the people you meet. When you have been given, don’t just put it in your pocket, read it!. This will only take a few seconds and you may find something to spark us a conversation, then place it in your wallet or purse rather than in your pocket, this lest them know that its you have a sincere interest in the person who’s card it is. A quote which I can’t remember where I read it reads “If you make people feel important, then this will make yourself important to them.

4. Don’t be shy.

Give your cards out to everyone, without everyone knowing your giving them to everyone. You want to get as much exposure as possible, but at the same time want the recipient to feel that you are a little more particular about who you give your cards too. Give them to friends, to family even give a couple at a time so they can refer your services. I once asked a chap who I met at a trade show if I could have a second card so I could pass this onto a colleague who maybe in the market for their services, only to be met with ‘sorry I only have a few left and I need them’. This was not only a missed opportunity him to network – but it gave me the impression that they were unprepared for this trade show.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals.

When giving a business card to someone ask if you think they know someone who may be interested in your services. Ask this in the form of a favour, people like to think they are helping you out and doing you a favour – its less pushy. So start the conversation by saying, ‘would you mind doing me a favour and pass this card onto someone you may think would need my services’, this is not a direct or abrupt question, it puts you in a better position by asking for help an the recipient will feel more obliged to pass the card on. Plus – give them 2 cards, its won’t hurt.

6. Make the most of every chance you get to network

Even at a children’s birthday party. Don’t be too pushy with people by forcing business cards down their throats as soon as you shake hands, but if you have been able to strike up a conversation, this is even better if its about work then if you feel comfortable on finishing the conversation just politely ask, ‘would you like to me to give you one of my cards’, they will politely accept it even if they have no intention of using it. But once again there is a slight chance that it will be kept or passed onto to someone else, this type of chance marketing maybe small but its cost next to nothing.

7. Get involved more.

Rather than just being an attendee at an event, be part of it. If you volunteer to help out for free at a networking event, then this can put you in a much better position and give you heaps of reasons to talk to people. You are not just an audience member but part of the event. Giving up your time to help out will also do you no harm, you will be seen in a different light. Helping people is a great way to meet people, put this into a business network and you can open up all sorts of opportunities, which would not be offered to you if you were just an audience member.

8. Follow up

Having been to that job interview or met a salesperson who enquired about your services, this is the obvious place to leave a business card – but don’t forget to follow up the meeting with another contact. How many times have you been told ‘we’ll get back to you’?. After the meeting if they have not contacted you within a week, then you need to be pro-active and contact them, doing nothing else is never a good thing, this can make the original meeting a waste of time. Being bothered to make contact afterwards, not only proves that you are keen but that you can gain feedback on how it went. This is vital for future meetings with other prospective employers or customers. Even if you didn’t get the job or win the order this time, then ask why. This will help you evaluate your presentation for the next time. Rather than just calling them afterwards, following up on a meeting with a thankyou letter is a different approach, this is an opportunity to drop them a business card into envelope, this letter will make you stand out from others. If this gets you nowhere then still call to get the feedback.

9. Personalise your contact with new people.

Newspapers are full of PR stories with people being promoted or newly appointed. This presents an opportunity to contact potential customers. A friend of mine started sending personalised hand written letters congratulating the person he had read about in the local business news. Inside this letter he included a business card and on the footer of the letter a small mention of who he was are and what he did. This type of personal approach with potential contacts works on another level you not only make them feel good about the recent promotion but they will feel obliged to reply to you.

10. You need a good slogan

Use a slogan which answers ‘why should I use your services’ This branding is the most important part of your business and should be conveyed on your business card. Don’t make it too dramatic, we are not selling a Hollywood blockbuster. But it has to have some meaning which is associated with you and your business. A slogan can be used to set you apart from your competitors – its equally as important as your logo design. So make it compelling so it will be remembered.

Dean Williams

Dean Williams is a design and marketing blogger working for Print-Print Limited, promoting business and building brands through quality print marketing. If you’re interested in small business promotion then please get in touch hello@print-print.co.uk