Your Business Card Is An Effective Marketing Tool
by Audrey Okaneko

What exactly is a business card? For me, my business card is one of the least expensive forms of advertising I possess.

Your business card is your introduction to potential, clients, and prospects. This is your opportunity to tell every person you come in contact with what you have to offer them in writing. You've heard the expression "get it in writing". With your business card, you can give it to them in writing.

I have found very reasonable prices at both Staples and OfficeMax. They offer white paper, colored paper, black and white ink, two ink colors, company logos etc.

When deciding what to put on your business card, remember you want to entice people not bore them. Stay away from fancy lacy print, it's far too difficult to read. Don't cram so much into this small space that each line runs together. So what exactly should you put on your card? People want to know how to contact you, so name, address, phone, fax and website if you have one are a must. Company name lets your contact know exactly who you represent. Many folks like to use a one liner describing their business. Make this line something that is a selling point for your business. My cards tell folks "132 years of excellence". With so many businesses failing each year, I feel it's important to let my contacts know that they are dealing with a company that has been around for quite some time.

Have you ever received a business card and turned it over? What do you see? Usually nothing. I see this as a waste of valuable advertising space. You can hand write a personal note. You can put labels on that say any multitude of things. My favorite labels say "call me to find out how this card can have your name on the front". I print these on Avery labels and run them off on my printer. Again, this is your opportunity to advertise you and the company you represent.

Now, if you are like me, you will soon be looking at a box with 1000 cards in it. When I saw my first box, I imagined them on the shelf for the next 5 years collecting dust. What would I possibly do with 1000 business cards?

Following is a list of the many places I leave my business cards:

1. On bulletin boards in stores and fast food establishments.
2. On the sink in public restrooms
3. On the counter of ATM machines
4. On the shelf of public telephones
5. In the shopping cart when I'm done using it at the grocery store
6. Inside the pages of library books for the next user to find
7. On the tables of fast food restaurants
8. Inside magazines at the Dr's offices
9. In the pouch on the airplane seat in front of mine.

In addition I hand out my cards to anyone I meet during my day. If I'm at the grocery store and strike up a conversation with another shopper, I end by handing her a business card. If I visit the park with my kids, I hand business cards to all the other moms there. When I mail bills, I always stick a business card in with my payment. Whenever I write a thank you note to a customer, I add two business cards, one for them and one for a friend.

Make it a goal to hand out 100 cards per week and watch your business grow!!