10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business Cards
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 ME, 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 ME, 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 41-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...
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