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.
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
. . .
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About The Author:
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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