How to Turn Business Cards into Customers – Part 3

By Mary Clayton, Digital Marketing Manager

Welcome to the conclusion of this three-part series!  In part one we took that mountain of business cards and tidied it up into three manageable piles. In part two we worked on a simple to stick with follow-up plan. Now it’s time to dig in on some of the tips and tricks you can use to make sure you’re always at the ready with your most powerful marketing tool!

Even if you’ve had your same business card for a while, now’s the perfect time to take a look at it and make sure it’s working for you!  

Business Card Tips To Build Relationships:

1. Don’t forget to audit your business card! Give your business card to a friend or family member and ask them what they think.  What’s the first thing they notice?  Can they see it and know immediately who you are, who you work for, and how to contact you? 
2. Don’t get caught without your card!  You never know when you’ll come across a hot prospect.  Keep a stash in your car, coat pocket, wallet, and laptop bag so you never miss the chance to make a business connection. 
3. Stock up on business cards before a networking event! It’s embarrassing to meet someone and not have enough cards on hand.  If you’re unsure about how many to bring to an event, you can always call the host organization and ask for an estimated count of attendees. 
4. Your business card needs to be easy to read! Don’t forget the main goal of your business card is to help your prospects be able to contact you easily, so be sure your contact information is easily identified and read! 
5. When in doubt, add a photograph!  After events and meetings where you’ve met a ton of people, having a photograph on your business card can help them easily recognize you. 
6. Wow your contacts with color. It’s a fact that people will hold onto colorful business card 10x longer than one in black and white.  Up your odds and go with full color! 
7. Stay sleek and straightforward.  Don’t try to cram as much information as possible onto your business card.  Its main function is to give a brief introduction about you and your company.  Don’t list everything about your company; consider your business card an appetizer to an excellent meal! 
8. Use a professional designer, photographer, and printer!  Your business card is a huge part of your first impression, so don’t leave it feeling flat because you used a template, added a few pics you took with your cell phone, and printed it on perforated stock on your home printer. Show your professionalism with quality business cards. 

Done right, your business card can help you be a networking superstar! It may start with that tiny little piece of paper; however it’s only one of many tools that allow you to grow your business.  Positive attitude, a willing to learn more about your prospects, and a genuine understanding of your target audience are what takes this tiny tool to the next level!