The Powertool Shed

Business cards and greeting cards almost go hand in hand when
being used for marketing and business purposes. With a few
exceptions. One is bigger than the other, and needs a postage
stamp in order to get to it’s desired location, as opposed to
the business card which is handed directly to a person or
dropped into a fish bowl in the hopes of winning an office party.

Here are a few tips on how to use the business card and greeting
card as a sales and marketing tool.

The Business Card

This tip is not just about what you can do with your business
cards, it’s about what you can do with other peoples business
cards once you receive them.

A business card is normally exchanged before, during, or after a
conversation you have with a person. The next time someone hands
you a business card, try to remember something positive about
the conversation you had, perhaps something personal the person
might have said.

Than write it down on the business card so the next time you
call them or see them, you can bring it up again.

I once had a business relationship with a person who is now a
friend of mine. We met at a business card exchange, as we stood
talking over our coffee and donuts, I mentioned how I loved
boston creme donuts. Without my knowing, he wrote that down on
the business card I gave him, and every time he and I got
together, he made sure to bring along boston creme donuts. It
wasn’t until later that he told me his secret.

People are impressed with things you remember about them, it
makes them feel that the conversation the two of you had was
important to you, and it will give you credibility.

This is a great way to strengthen your business relationships in
order to obtain referrals.

The Greeting Card

In this day and age of the internet, we seem to have lost the
personal touch we once had with one another.

Most of this personal touch has been replaced with e-mails,
e-cards, fax machines, and cell phones.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for progress.

That being said, don’t ever underestimate the power of a hand
written note or card, it speaks volumes and means a lot to
people.

Have you ever heard of someone deleting a Hallmark?

Keep a Rolodex or tickler file handy of all your customers
upcoming birthdays, anniversary’s, and special occasions. Send
them a card with a hand-written message on the inside, they will
love the fact that you remembered them at a time that is
important to them.

The same goes for holidays, and don’t forget Arbor day.

When you send the card leave the business card out, don’t give
the impression that this is a sales call, at times like these it
is important for your customer to understand that they are not
just a statistic in your data base.

Also, keep your eye’s and ear’s open just incase your customer
looses a loved one or a pet. Send them a sympathy card. They
will appreciate the fact that you have compassion.

The business card and greeting card are two effective ways to
build and strengthen the relationships you have with your
customers, which will ultimately result in more business for
you.