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