Most of us today have a business card, except those few who plans to
survive the battle of brands without the most necessary armor. In this 20th
century business world, even a mom-n-pop shop needs a business card and a
logo to survive today these are the bare necessities for any business.
Now, having business card is not good enough, the question is how good is
your business card? Is it getting the desired business for you? Or in other
words, are you able to use your business card to its full potential?
We must realize a business card is not just a piece of paper or a small
card stock with your contact information. It is an essential branding tool
for your business and has every potential to get you new business, provided
you know how to use it.
When you hand over your business card to a client, you expect him to
contact you for your product or service, but have you ever thought, why
should he contact you and not your competitor, if he has both the cards?
This is where a well-planned business card gives you the advantage. Your
business card must have something in it that would create an interest in the
prospect to contact you.
There are several ways to do this.
- You can add a tag line to your business card that speaks
about your USP.
- You can offer a discount to people purchasing your products
if they present your business card while purchasing.
- You can have a small survey at the back of your business card
and ask the people to fill it up and submit back to you or your shop and
they are eligible for some discount or prize based on a draw on those
surveys. At the same time, when they come to return you those survey
cards, don t forget to give them a new business card without any survey.
- You can ask people to visit your website and give them a discount
for subscribing to the newsletter. (This serves two purposes, you
get a client base to inform about your new products and services at the
same time the your prospective customers became aware of your web
presence)
- Give your business cards to all your first time customers and
promise them a discount on repurchase this can be highly effective
to increase your customer loyalty.
You must also understand that when I say that your business card should
get you more business I don t want your business card to look like a
billboard. You must be careful while drafting your business card and ensure
that along with your contact information it has got just the minimal
information that is required to prompt a prospect to initiate an action that
can culminate to a sale. You should also take proper care about the design
and the quality of paper that you use. If you can keep in mind, all these
factors while designing your business card and then use it effectively, be
assured, you have just employed one of the most effective sales agent for
your company.
