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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 . . .
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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