Being a small business owner and a member of many networking and community groups, I find myself the recipient of many business cards. These are full of information for connecting with potential customers and vendors. Handling those cards (and my own business cards) can help grow my marketing reach and my client roster.
First let's talk about how to use your own business cards to increase your networking effectiveness. You should keep a handy stash of your cards everywhere; in your purse or wallet, in your car, on your desk, and anywhere you might run in to other people. Invest in a nice holder for your cards so that they stay wrinkle and crease free. I bought a nice little metal holder for $3 from my local Target store, but you can find leather holders or even ones that have engraving on them. The key point is to get something that you will actually carry around with you.
Make sure that your cards are clear and present a clear and professional image. Have easy to read contact information. I've included a QR code on my cards that allows smart phone users to simply scan all of my contact information using their camera. I used a free on-line QR code generator, but there are also apps available that will do the same thing. If you have team members working for you, get them their own business cards. They will act as another arm of your marketing plan.
Be generous when it comes to handing out your cards, hand them out at least two at a time. Don't get cards that are so expensive that you are loathe to give them away. You should feel comfortable posting them on bulletin boards, using them to introduce yourself at social functions, and using them as scrap paper to give people notes on. Another good idea is to include a business card with all of your correspondence, even when you're paying bills.
Then there are all of those business cards you collect from others along the way. Sometimes they may feel overwhelming, and you just push them aside. How many of you have a stack of rubber banded business cards that has been sitting in your desk for months? Don't let those opportunities pass you by!
Here are 4 easy steps to getting the most out of a business card that you get:
- Put it in context - Make notes on the back of the card about the event and details of your conversation. Also note any follow-up or action items that you promised during the encounter.
- Store it in a set place during the event - Put the cards collected either in your wallet, purse, or notebook pocket so that you can easily access it later. Keep these cards separate from your own cards to avoid having to rifle through a stack to hand your's out.
- Review the card after the event - 24 to 48 hours after the exchange, review the card for context and any action items that need to be completed. Loading the cards in to your address book is key at this juncture. You can then either send a follow-up email or even a handwritten note. Entering the cards and sending notes is a great assignment for your Virtual Administrative Assistant service such as Administrative Business Consulting.
- Connect to your new contact - Find the new business or person on LinkedIn, facebook, or any other social media platform that they are active on. Connect to them and ask them to connect to you. This will grown your marketing reach even further.
Now for the elephant in the room--REFERRALS. When you hand out your cards, don't be afraid to ask for them. It can be as simple as saying, "I'd really appreciate it if you would pass my information along to anyone you think might benefit from my services." This gets the other person thinking about what you do and who they know. And offer them the same. Let them know that you will keep their card handy and that you will let others know about their business. You're more likely to get referrals from someone who feels like you'll give them out.
Now dig that stack of cards out and start connecting!
LinkedIn is the number one professional networking site on the web. There are currently over 160 million users worldwide, with an average age of 45 and an average income of over $91,000. It is a potential gold mine of referrals for your business.
LinkedIn is intended to be a place where you present your professional image, as opposed to your personal image that you use on facebook. There are are several ways that you can use this vast network of professionals to do this:
- Maintaining business contacts
- Getting introductions
- Posting recommendations for contacts
- Getting referrals for your business
- Checking references on potential employees or associates
- Receiving industry news
- Finding, posting, and forwarding jobs
The main tool to connect with people on LinkedIn is your profile page. It is important to make it BEEFY! What I mean is that it needs to be rich in content and engaging to get noticed. Tell your story with details including all of your accomplishments and milestones. Include any references to your business in print and on-line media, any awards you or your business has received, and any certificates or credentials that show you are an authority in your industry. Every word in your profile is keyword searchable, so be sure and include your top terms somewhere in the profile.
When potential customers look at your profile, they will be comparing it to the profile of your competitors. You need to be current and engaging to keep yourself on the top of the list. Use a photo that is a true representation of yourself. The most effective profile pictures will be professional head shots done recently. You can also add videos to your profile using the Google Presentation or Slideshare apps within LinkedIn. This adds extra pop and sets you above the competition. Also, take a minute to personally welcome and acknowledge your new connections. It develops the relationships you're trying to cultivate through LinkedIn and gives you an edge on your competition.
Joining professional and interest groups on LinkedIn lets you share in professional conversations about your industry or those that you're looking to get in to. Taking part in groups will also grow your sphere of connections to include people you might not have had a chance to talk to previously. When you do join, participate in the conversations to help get you and your brand notice. These are also a good place to share info on events you might be putting on or blogs that you write.
This may seem like a lot of extra work to add to your already full plate. But if you set aside a little time each week to work on it, you will reap great rewards. You can also hire a virtual assistant service, such as Administrative Business Consulting, to help you set up a manage your LinkedIn profile. That set up would let you have the best of all worlds.
