Business Cards

I tend to think of business cards as the avenue of employed people to share information during a business meeting or social occasion.

Well, guess what? You are a business person–specifically a sales person–and the product is very personal: YOURSELF.

• Use the business card to close a conversation. Offer your card and ask your new contact if they have one.
  • Having their information puts you in control of further contacts.
• If at all relevant, offer to get back in touch with the them to provide additional informaiton/continue the conversation.
  • Follow up within 72 hours. Any longer and they will have forgotten your conversation.
  • Use email, phone, LinkedIn, Twitter, or any other means of communication you may have agreed on.
  • A good trick for following up with someone is to ask for information or resources.

How do I design one?

My advise is to keep it simple.
Most people will only look at a card for a few seconds before putting it away therefore, a clean card with the appropriate information is more then appropriate.

• Name
• Title (optional)
• City, State (optional)
• Phone #s
• Email
• LinkedIn URL (optional)
• Marketing line (optional)

How do I get a card?

• Fedex Office (Kinko’s)
  • I called to get a price at a local office store and was quoted $25 for a 300 stock cards with a 2-hour delivery
• Vista Print
  • They offer 250 FREE business cards. You only pay for shipping and handling. They print their logo on the back of the card.
• Home printer (my favorite method)
  • I use Avery 5877. This allows me to modify the card as necessary and the cost is very similar to all the other methods.
• SMS Business Cards
  • If you are in a meeting where you passed out all your cards and the CEO of dream company comes along.  Do you scribble your info on the back of his card or offer to text him the info? This is still in alpha so expect improvements. I like this because it’s green and cool all at once.