Hello My Name Is...

Hello, My Name is ...

Perhaps the easiest and quickest marketing tool, and probably the smallest, is your business card. This 3.5” by 2” piece of stock paper often is the basis of a customer's or prospect's first impression of you and your business, yet it is one of the most overlooked weapons in your marketing arsenal. Using your business card effectively as a marketing tool takes a little forethought and just a few seconds of your time.

Here are some tips:

* Have your card printed professionally. Avoid do-it-yourself laser and inkjet printed, perforated cards.
* Maximize space. It costs very little to print on both sides of a card, so consider using the back of your card as well.
* Hand out two cards, or more. If you're giving a card to a client or prospect, why not give them two or three cards? Ask them to pass your card along to a friend or business acquaintance who may need your services. Don't just shake their hand, fill it with your card.
* Mail it. With every letter you mail, mail one or two business cards. This keeps your name in your customer's hands and also the hands of future customers.

Tom Long, SolidOakConsulting.com.