Off Topic » Obviously you will

As an entrepreneur and business owner I am always on the prowl for creative and effective ways to capture the attention of potential customers. During a long flight from Seattle to Columbus Ohio I was seated next to an executive from a large marketing firm with whom I聮d managed to strike up a conversation. Her questions and responsive interest indicated to me that she was genuinely interested in the services I offered so I handed her my finest business card which she tucked into her pant pocket while gather her luggage from the over head compartment; as she did this I suddenly thought of all the paper wads I had found in the bottom of the washer that had been business cards I really wanted to save. So I decided to scientifically measure the value of this age old marketing networking tool. Here are the results:

Over 600 people interviewed
Subjects sampled more than 29 states
(a very scientifically substantial and relevant sampling)

40% said they discard cards received because of no value.

So what happens to the other 60% of cards we hand out?

40% said they usually lose or misplace business cards.

10% said that most cards are difficult to spot in piles Corey Seager Jersey , files or organizers so they turn to resources like yellow pages.

Less than 5% said they have secured services from a business card.

Let聮s sort through the data. By the way if you search the web you will find studies that conclude the business card is your most vital business investment. So, who聮s right and who聮s wrong? Actually no one is entirely wrong. Business cards have their place and uses. What research and experience tell me is that business cards are a great value when used well and in a timely fashion.

Business cards are seldom a good front-end marketing tool. This is true because most of them are discarded Chris Taylor Jersey , lost or avoided due to obscurity. The exception to this rule is the creatively valuable business card.

Some examples of creative business cards include: calendar cards, magnet cards Jackie Robinson Jersey , coupon cards, info. Cards Mike Piazza Jersey , etcetera. I will never forget the first business card I had ever actually kept and used; it had been handed to me by the owner of a print shop, on the back was a years calendar Clayton Kershaw Jersey , so I placed it in my wallet and referenced it often for nearly a year before I was asked to lead a project at work that involved securing printing services, you know who I called first. Another example was a magnet card I picked up just because I thought it would be nice to secure notes to the front of my file cabinet; several months later I needed to buy tires for my car and the first call I made was the tire shop on that magnet. Another card I held onto for months was one that had some interesting facts and statistics that I thought I could reference in the future. The bottom line is Justin Turner Jersey , be creative and come up with a reason your potential customers should hold onto your card.

Business cards make great back-end marketing tools. Once you have you foot in the door they can and should be used frequently to ensure the customer knows how to contact you. I include a card with all correspondence. At the front end and back-end it is important to make sure your business card stands out.

Precautions and Tips
聲Avoid depending on the business card to get the potential customer to contact you.
聲Ask for the potential customer to give you their contact information in exchange for yours.
聲Make notes that will be helpful for the potential customer on the back of the card.
聲A photo of yourself is a nice personalizing touch.
聲Follow up with card recipients within five days if they聮ve never done business with you, ten if they have.
聲Include a card with every correspondence.
聲Personalize the business card by writing on the card what you can offer in your own handwriting.

The same precautions and tips may apply to the business card alternatives I聮ll suggest next. If business cards aren聮t all they聮re cracked up to be what are the alternatives? There are actually many Wholesale Dodgers Jerseys , and here we聮ll explore just three that I have found are powerful.

Promotional Items

Instead of carrying business cards consider carrying a book of promotional checks. I like to ask this sales question, 聯If I could give you a blank check that you could fill in the -in the amount of- blank with any amount and cash it with guaranteed payment would you be interested in hearing more??I then give them a check from my 聯special?checkbook that contains my contact information Cheap Dodgers Jerseys , a hand written expiration date, unique authorization code (the check number) and states that it is valid for a FREE 30 minute coaching session with me via telephone. They tend to generate second hand leads because the person I give it to finds it so interesting that they talk about it to others and they then contact me as well. You can order your checks from Current checks. Obviously you will not want any account information on the check. You will want your contact information and Key selling information or services on the check. You may also consider ordering look-alike checkbooks from a printer; unfortunately they may lack authenticity and resulting novelty as well as the unique check numbers.

&

The Importanc. Cheap Hats Cheap Shirts Cheap Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap Authentic NFL Jerseys