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Business Articles » Networking
10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business Cards
by C. E. Reid
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 . . .
In addition to hosting WIIFM Success Radio, C.E. Reid advises small businesses
on Internet Business-2-Business opportunities. He has also helped many people
successfully advance their careers and start businesses with 15 years as a part
time Business & Career Coach. His consulting clients have included IBM/Lotus,
JPMChase and Citicorp, to name a few. Email: MyCompass@Success4U2.net
Web: http://CoachingCompass.blogspot.com
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