3. Bring more than you think you need. You can't represent yourself if you don't have enough cards to give to the contacts that you make, so don't underestimate how many you'll need.
7. Ask for two cards from the people you meet. Tell them you want one for yourself and one you can pass along to anyone you come into contact with who might need their services. This sets you up perfectly to give two cards for the same purpose. It couldn't hurt.
Make notes on cards when you get them from people you meet. Put the date and event on each card, along with a note that will help you remember the person. Do it while the person is standing there. This helps to create trust.
Many people rush into printing business cards because suddenly they have an event to attend and they have no cards to bring.
As a designer, you will
Hermes Handbags, of course, design a card that looks great. But the question to ask yourself is whether it "works" from a marketing point of view. It will, if you follow these business card dos and don'ts:
4. Hand them to people when you shake hands. They'll remember your name better if they see it in writing. Develop the reflex of handing over your card, and don't be shy if they don't automatically reciprocate. Go ahead and ask for their cards. It will help you remember their names, an invaluable marketing skill in itself. Offer one to everyone you are introduced to or with whom you start a conversation. Get in the habit of saying, "Let me give you my card."
· Do make it look professional. There are no rules about what a business card should look like; just make sure it looks as professional as the market you intend to attract. Look closely at the cards of colleagues and competitors. In fact, you should have a collection of business cards, and you should always be analyzing the cards that you collect to see what works for you-beyond design-from a marketing point of view.
Eight Ways to Make the Most of Your Business Card
Your business card is just a tiny piece of paper, but its value is disproportionate to its size. Because space is limited, the weight of each word on your card is exponentially greater than it would be if it were buried in the middle of a brochure or letter. So be sure to give it careful consideration before you spend a lot of money on beautiful four-color cards with your new logo and tagline.
· Do use both sides. When you walk away from an encounter, your business card stays and represents you, so make sure it has all the essential information on it. Don't hesitate to use the back as well. It can be a place for people to make notes (in which case, adding the word "Notes" encourages people to write a note about you or your meeting with them). Or it can be a place to list the various services you offer, so that when you walk away and the prospects suddenly wonder, "Hmm, I wonder if she designs web sites," that next level of detail on your card will help them answer the question.
5. Give them to people every time you meet them, not just the first time. This will avoid any embarrassment in case they forget your name. It doesn't matter if they don't keep the card; it will have already served its purpose.
Do you want to be the driver or the passenger? Do you want to choose an interesting, scenic, exciting route or leave it to chance and have a snooze in the back? Often we make short term plans - fun interruptions in our lives; we dot in the holidays and the things that give us excitement or something to look forward to - but how would it be if we made a decision to plan a bit further ahead? Rather than life developing and us existing, we can choose to make things happen the way we design them instead of leaving it all up to chance?When you set your goals for this year - push out of your comfort zone - plan for the decade! See yourself in 2020! How does that sound to you? Does it feel little scary? Question that for a moment. What makes it feel like that? This is your life. You want the best for your family and friends - why not for yourself?
Don't get creative with placement of this information. Think instead about what makes the most sense to the person looking at the card. For example, put your tagline under or close to your company name, not floating somewhere in the middle of the card, just because it looks cool.
· Do have more than one card. There's no rule that says you have to fit everything on a single card. If you have a couple different specialties, why not have a card for each? That will make you look even more perfect to the prospect whose need is reflected even more specifically on your card.
· Do make it interesting, so people will take a close look at it. It can be undersized
Nike Dunk SB shoes, oversized or interestingly sized
Rayban Sunglasses, colorful or printed on an unusual paper stock. All of these aspects will make someone stop and take a look (and maybe even comment) when you hand it to them, and be part of an initial impression they take from their encounter with you. Don't worry if your card is not the standard size; a few people may complain, but they'll remember you.
6. Include one in everything you send out, including introductory letters, invoices, FYIs and article tear sheets.
I can remember being a small child and wondering what my life would be like in the year 2000. I wondered what I would look like and used to practice pulling faces in the mirror trying to imagine. Oh the age of innocence and how time flies.Here we are at the start of 2010 - not only the beginning of a new year, but a new decade of adventure and possibility!Many people begin to plan in January for their year ahead such as holidays, new car, new home and house extensions. I wonder how many people give the same amount of time to planning their life?
Looking at glossy holiday brochures is wonderful, you can escape the cold and rain and imagine being on a beach for a week or two, feeling free and relaxed. I wonder if you ever spend time the same amount of time or more imagining your life and really planning what you want to achieve; how you want to grow as a person. Life is a journey!
2. Keep them in every pocket or handbag. Stash a few in every purse, briefcase and piece of luggage you own. That way, you won't have to remember so often to replenish the one container where you keep them. Keep a stack in your car and near the doors of your home and office. Put them by your keys or wherever you'll look before going out. Put a few in your wallet, especially for those unexpected marketing moments when you meet someone standing in line at the bank or post office. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "Do I have my business cards on me?"
If networking is the most effective marketing activity-and it is-then your business card is your networking ticket. It's essential, yet disposable. Its purpose is to create a first impression, over and over, to be there at the right moment, not to be kept as an heirloom. Here are a few ways to use your business card most effectively:
· Don't clutter up the card. You have a very small space to work with, so clarity is essential. You need to include your all of your basic contact information, but that isn't so simple anymore, when everyone has:
Name
Company name
Tagline
Address
Phone numbers (land and cell)
Fax number
E-mail address
Web address
...and any other newfangled ways to contact you.
Instead, simply design a temporary card using an online resource, such as iprint.com or vistaprint.com. Don't agonize over what goes on the temporary card. As long as it has your contact information, you can pass it out and you will look more professional than if you have none at all.
1. Don't leave home without it. Carry a few everywhere you go. Even if you're walking the dog or going to the gym and you can't imagine running into anyone who'll want it, bring a few cards. Store a few in your locker at the gym.
Don't do it.