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Create a strong
brand identity using BUSINESS CARDS!
 Whether
you are looking for a job or running a business, giving out
business cards
is crucial to marketing your skills or services. Even as a job
seeker, develop the mindset of running the business of YOU,
Inc. Business cards speak volumes about who you are, what you
offer and how serious you are marketing YOU, Inc. as a
business. Oh! So, you have a resume and don't need business
cards. Can you carry 10 resumes in your wallet' Do you or can
you carry your resume everywhere you go' A church bell ringing
lets people know they are open for business. Your business
card is your bell. Here are some proven tips using business
cards to increase your chances of landing a job or creating a
business opportunity.
1. Never
leave home without them.
Before leaving home, your checklist should be expanded to
include business cards, as part of "do I have my wallet/money,
house keys, driver's license'" Any 'per chance' meeting is an
opportunity to give out a
business card.
A morning run or a quick trip to the local store could be an
opportunity to network. My wife and I always ask each other
'do you have business cards', before leaving the house. Make
it a habit to carry business cards.
2. Insert a
business card when mailing bill payments.
 Bills contain advertisements. Why can't you advertise your
skills or services the same way' Insert a business card with
your payment. You may not think a person in South Dakota who
opens your credit card bill payment can help you. Never
underestimate the power of networking. A movie, entitled '6
Degrees of Separation' points out we are 6 people away from
knowing someone of influence. You could be 6 people away from
knowing the President of the United Sates, your favorite movie
star or someone who is in a position to hire your skills or
services. Each of us knows someone, who knows someone, who
knows someone etc. Developing this powerful networking
attitude will be a fundamental source of continued success.
3. Use
proper
business card etiquette.
Whenever you give a business card, ask for a business card.
When given a business card, don't just take it and place it in
your pocket. Make the person feel important by looking at
their card for a few seconds. You might see something that
could be a topic of discussion. Write comments on the card
such as date, location and common points of interest. These
comments will prove valuable when following up with that
person. This also demonstrates a sincere interest in the other
person. Then place it in your wallet. This lets them know they
reside in a special place with you. "Skill with People" by Les
Giblin is a book that expands on this approach. Make people
feel important, in order to make yourself important to them.
4. Be
generous.
Give your
company business
cards out
to everyone, including family and friends. Don't let vanity
stop you from giving out your last business card or giving 2
at a time to each person. I have met many people who have
totally missed the purpose of a business card. I once asked a
person for a second business card, so I could refer his
services. His response was "I only have a few cards left and I
need them", as he looked again at his name on the card.
Hoarding your business cards only makes your wallet feel full,
not your bank account.
5. Ask for
referrals.
When giving a business card, people feel more comfortable when
you ask; 'I would appreciate a referral, if you know anyone
that could use my services'. Don't make people feel like they
are on the spot. This approach disarms people much better than
asking them, 'is your company hiring'' People naturally like
to do favors for people. Saying 'could you do me a favor by
referring my services to someone'. This always places you in a
better position with them. They will feel better about helping
you. Give them 2 cards.
6. Maximize
every "per chance" meeting.
You never know when you might meet someone who can help you.
Family or friends social events could produce unexpected
encounters with people. Don't discount those events. So you're
going to a birthday party for your friend's kid. You never
know who you might meet. At a family holiday gathering last
year, I met someone that has been instrumental in developing
our business this year. Who would have thought this could
happen by giving him a simple business card.
7. Place
yourself at the right place at the right time.
Have you been to a job fair or business conference and been
disappointed with the networking results' Turn the tables
around. Consider volunteering to help out at the job fair or
other types of events. This puts you in a better strategic
position for presenting your resume or business card. Company
representatives might view you differently, if they know you
are willing to go the extra mile in helping them make their
presence easier to manage. Get involved by visiting
Eventme.com, TheLunchClub.net, Craigslist.com ,
LOGO DESIGN MOJO,
or view the calendar of events for JacobJavitsCenter.com to
place yourself in opportunities for giving out your business
card. Volunteering for events has been a very successful
resource for my business partner and I to expanding our
business. Zig Ziglar, one of the most successful sales
trainers in the world says "if you help enough people get what
they want in life, you will get what you want in life".
8. Use "In
Your Face" follow up.
Did you ever have a job interview or meeting with a recruiter,
potential client or employer and wonder why they never called
you back' 'Out of sight, out of mind' is the operative phrase
to remember. Today's economic climate dictates you might be
competing with 20, 50, 100 or more other people for the same
position or contract. It's quite a task for people to keep
track of each individual meeting. So it's up to you to give a
person a reason to call you back. Immediately after a meeting
snail mail a hand written note thanking the person for their
time. Insert your business card. Now you're in the driver's
seat in standing out from other people. If you get no
response, do it again. Patience and persistence pays off.
9. Use
promotions to promote YOU, Inc.
Newspapers often have stories of people being promoted to high
levels in different organizations' This is an opportunity for
you. Consider getting some invitation size blank greeting
cards. Use the Internet's search capabilities to find out the
address of the company's executive offices. Send the blank
invitation type card with a hand written note sincerely
congratulating a person on their promotion. Insert your
business card.
For the cost of a 37-cent stamp, you have just made someone's
day and may create an impression that makes a person feel
compelled to respond back to you. Make it a habit to do this
once a week. Remember '6 Degrees of Separation'. You just
never know . . . People open invitation type envelops faster
than any others.
10. Brand
yourself with a slogan.
Print a slogan on your business card that answers the question
'Why should I hire you' Or "What makes you different from
everyone else'" A catchy phrase or slogan insures people
ALWAYS associate a company name with their product or
services. People remember even after the commercial is over.
That's called branding. Companies pay big bucks to advertising
agencies to come up with these lasting slogans. Consider doing
the exact same thing on your business card. This is your
insurance people remember you, after you meet. Don't just put
Hortence Smiley, Accountant on your business card. Add
something like "Financial Services With Integrity". A
slogan
makes all the difference between getting hired or not, because
people will remember you long after a meeting.
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