7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking Power

CARD SHARK

7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking Power

The humble business card has been a mainstay of business and industry for years. But despite it's small size and cost, it's one of the most powerful marketing tools you will ever possess. Because of it's low cost many people take the business card for granted and don't even think of the effect it can have on their networking and sales success. Here are a few tips for making your card do the business for you...

Card Tricks

Your business card can perform many different promotional jobs and usually all at once. I call these little jobs "Card Tricks" because they work like magic.

All you need to do is be aware of what you want the end effect to be and then set your business card up to work the magic for you.

Here are 7 Card Trick ideas:

Get a Most Wanted Response (MWR)

Get Read (Break The Ice)

Get Kept (And Referred To)

Get Passed On

Qualify/Disqualify Prospects

Sell Stuff

Make You A Celebrity

1. Get A Most Wanted Response

This is the action you want your new contact to take next as a result of your communication. In this case it's your business card that provides the communication.

You are responsible for the outcome of your communication so it goes without saying that you must have a clear outcome in mind to make the most effective use of your business card. If you don't create a business card with a clear idea of what you're expecting as an outcome then you can't expect to generate a consistent response. Your networking will be hit and miss and you'll miss more opportunities than you deserve to.

Although your eventual goal will be to get someone to buy, buy again and then tell all their friends your first MWR when networking will rarely be "buy my service" straight away. You may want your prospect to give you permission to follow up first or to book a meeting or request more information. These types of response all build the relationship and make your final goal much easier to achieve.

A good first response is to create curiosity and then follow it up with a specific action? Consider the following ideas:

Make Them Visit Your Website And Leave Contact Details By? offering a FREEBIE on the back of your card. You could handwrite the URL (website address) each time you hand one out for that extra personal touch.

Get Them To Set Up A Meeting Immediately By? offering a FREE consultation and providing an appointment reminder form on the back of your card which you fill in as you're talking to them.

Get Them To Call You As Soon As They Return To Work By? suggesting you have a secret FREE report and repeating your phone number nice and big on the back. You could give them a password or phrase to say when they call to be told more. People love to learn secrets, don't you?

All along you should be looking to build your credibility and their level of trust. Your business card isn't 100% responsible for this process but if it's wrong you'll be causing yourself unnecessary problems.

2. Get Read (break the ice)

3. Get Kept (And Referred To)

4. Get Passed On

5. Qualify/Disqualify Prospects

Be explicit about what you do, for whom and in what situation. This will help your card to do the difficult job of separating the wheat from the chaff, in terms of people you'd like to do business with.

A strong, targeted message on your business card will free your phone line up for enquiries from inspired, interested and applicable prospects. People who don't fit your target will then know not to waste your time or theirs, and if they like you they can pass your details on to people who are right.

6. Sell Stuff

7. Make YOU A Celebrity

A key goal when networking is to stand out and be recognised. When people know your face and know what you can do for whom, introductions and positive gossip will become rampant.

The problem is, people in general, aren't very good at putting names to faces until they've met you a few times. If you want everyone to know your name and to say, "There's Mr/Mrs X" when you enter a room then here's a really easy trick?

Put a photo of yourself on your card. Maybe even use up the whole of one side and include a link to a FREEBIE or a quote with it.

Then if you frequent the same networking groups and events often enough, your name will go before you.

It's also a great ice-breaker and gets people to take a second look.

Some people believe that a picture could put people off who judge by appearances (ie too young, too old, don't like the colour of that sweater etc). My question is? Do you want clients who make such assumptions in the first place? If not then fine. If you do then this might not work for you.

Did you want tricks 2, 3, 4 & 6 too? If you want all the top 7 Tricks plus loads of other ideas, including examples of real business cards and a business card makeover, then you can have them for free by going to www.leanmarketing.co.uk/card-shark

Speak Soon

'Dangerous' Debbie Jenkins

About The Author

"Dangerous" Debbie Jenkins is an author and speaker who takes no prisoners with her, explosive and scathing attacks on the greedy and lazy textbook marketers who've never spent a penny of their own money on marketing in their life. See why she's mad and "Detox your Marketing" at... http://www.debbiejenkins.com

debs@debbiejenkins.com

---

Create a Win Win for Your Small Business

Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More

Employee Monitoring - Business Risks For Employers And How To Avoid Them

E-mail and Internet use are integral parts of the typical... Read More

Finance Your Small Business: So Much Money, So Little Time

$37.4 million funded from venture capital today. $86.4 million funded... Read More

An Example of Business Automation - eCards with pizazz

The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More

Franchise Territories are Generally Delineated On a Map; Why?

If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More

Patient Records - Your Responsibilities

As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More

How Mastering 5 Essential Money Making Ideas Can Lead Your Business to Longterm Cashflow

Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More

Small Business - Is The Accounting Profession Ripping Them Off?

My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More

The Wrap on Ag Plastic

While driving through Pennsylvania farmland, you have probably noticed an... Read More

Pressure Washer Companies and Steam Cleaner Maintenance

If you run a pressure washing business it is a... Read More

Keep TRACK of your Business Relationships and Gain Profits

How do you know when an alliance needs to be... Read More

Franchising Companies Relationship Strategies

Franchising Corporations need to maintain an iron fist when it... Read More

Is Your Business Legally Prepared?

It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More

Small Business Marketing - Clarify Success

When you hear the word "success" does it bring on... Read More

Common Sources of Financing for Small Business

The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether... Read More

Pressure Washing Heavy Equipment

One of the best ways to make money in the... Read More

Hosted PBX, Is It Right For You?

"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More

6 Steps to a Successful Medical Spa Expansion

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

1. Everyone Makes A Difference ? Despite not letting him... Read More

How to Write a Credit Policy for Your Business

The book, "Become the Squeaky Wheel," by New Hampshire author... Read More

How to Raise Your Fees and Thrill Your Customers

Think the best way to get more customers is to... Read More

Sample; Territory Reduction Policy for a Franchise Company

I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More

Creating a Paperless Office

When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More

Leverage The Power of Publicity For Your Small Business

Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More

How Is the LEGAL SYSTEM Dishing Out JUSTICE in Your Town?

Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More

Small Business Success - It?s a Matter of Confidence

I was floored! I couldn't believe what they were saying!... Read More

Window Cleaning Business Start Up

Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More

Seven Common Mistakes Made By Small Business Owners

Most new small businesses won't be in business this time... Read More

Franchise Rule to be Revised; Why?

The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More

Truck Detailing Shop Business Case Study

As an entrepreneur you can learn a lot by following... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Tiger

1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts... Read More

Are You Making These Mistakes In Your Business?

You've probably heard the statistic that 95% of small businesses... Read More

Implementing an Internship Program

CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More