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
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 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.
Happy
trails networking . . .
About the Author
Carl E. Reid, Business-to-Business Consultant & Career Coach
Carl advises small businesses on maximizing the Internet's potential for
creating new profit centers, while developing strategic alliances for win-win
business partnerships. As a Career Coach for 15 years, Mr. Reid has helped
hundreds of people jump start their careers or start businesses.
mailto: MyCompass@Success4U2.net
Web: http://careercoachingcompass.7h.com