What do a CEO of a big corporation, the owner of a pizza place, and a self-employed business owner with a virtual office owner all have in common? Well, besides their mutual intention to make dough – it’s that they all use business cards to make connections and spread the word about their goods and services. Or at least, if they’ve been reading our articles on designing, browsing and distributing business cards, they do.
With so many eye-catching business card designs, shapes, and styles available, you’re missing major opportunities if you aren’t using printing business cards to tell people about your company. In a world where LinkedIn, Indeed, and Zoom are the principal places to build your network and connect with customers, the humble business card may seem like a rather antiquated tool. However, when used – and personalized – carefully, they’re a simple but effective means of upping your sales, increasing word-of-mouth, and expanding your list of contacts.
The only question left, then, is where to hand out your business cards, and fortunately, that’s the subject of our article below. Take your Rolodex in one hand and your car keys in the other, because we’re about to send you on a whistle-stop tour of your target market.
Networking Events
While some of our later suggestions are more unique, there are a few places you can’t go wrong when producing your business card. One of these is at a networking or promotional event, such as a book launch, academic symposium, or trade show, where occasions to give – and receive – business cards will arise regularly. If you aren’t bringing a stack of cards – and going home with a stack of other people’s cards in their place – at your next professional meetup, then you may want to step up your networking game.
Give your cards to people you believe may need your service, those who ask about your business, or attendees that may know someone who would be interested in your business. In other words, give them to everyone you meet at a networking event. Just make sure your business cards have a fun, memorable design that leaves a positive impression on your prospects, and that your cards aren’t dog-eared and crumpled when you do present them. And, if you do want to offer people a fast track to your online profile, then take inspiration from our “15 Innovative QR Codes for Business Cards” article.
Résumés and Proposals
We spoke earlier about how LinkedIn has become a popular platform for job hunters looking to advertise themselves, but that doesn’t mean that old-fashioned résumés have been rendered obsolete. Whether you’re applying for a new role, seeking an independent contractor position, or selling services to a firm, you may have a formal interview with your prospects – and whether you succeed in making it that far is usually based on the quality of your résumé. Some decision makers may even require you to deliver a presentation in lieu of an interview, establishing your vision for the project or post.
To bring your résumé to life, then, or to add a little punch to any handout or proposal you pass around as part of your presentation, why not attach a business card, carefully pinned to an unassuming corner? This is a surefire way to demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail, and to showcase your preparedness when you’re addressing the boardroom. Make sure you have enough copies for everyone in the room, as well as a stack of business cards for others in the office you might meet. Never underestimate the persuasive power of crisp white paper, high-quality card stock, and a Zazzle business card template!
Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards can seem like the preserve of babysitters and dance instructors, but you should still take a few minutes to place your business card on the bulletin boards at local grocery stores, the library, colleges and universities, and even your church. You may even have trouble affixing your business card to the notice board, given that they’re usually cluttered with calling cards, but that’s only further evidence that bulletin boards are a tried-and-tested place to hand them out. You never know when a well-heeled prospect could happen upon your contact information while waiting for a lecture to begin or store to open.
Another reason that bulletin boards are effective is because your business card will be displayed in a casual, unobtrusive fashion. Unfortunately, as much as we love business cards at Zazzle, we can’t deny that they tend to be scrapped rather often, and that it can sometimes be off-putting if a business card is stuffed into your hand upon your first interaction with a person. On the other hand, if a prospect spies your business card and makes the decision themselves to pocket it, well, that’s an interaction much more likely to result in a sale or a loyal customer.
Waiting Rooms
If, in your campaign to attract new custom, you’ve found yourself contemplating the issue while trapped in waiting rooms or stuck in a line, well, you may be on the right track. Consider asking the owner of said waiting room – be it a doctor, vet, or lawyer – whether you can leave your business cards on display in the foyer or reception area. In such cases, you have a particularly receptive audience, as most patients or clients will come across your card while looking for reading material or something to pass the time.
Waiting rooms are an obvious place to find people twiddling their thumbs, but there are other places that would work. For example, if you can get permission, and provided it’s in a sheltered, indoor area, then placing your business cards around ATMs is another good idea, because there’s little to do while the ATM hums and rifles through your bills. Of course, ATMs aren’t used as much as they used to be, and transactions are still relatively short, so be sure to create an eye-catching or intriguing design – like those detailed in our “Coming up with Creative Business Cards” article.
Other Businesses
It might seem strange or counterproductive to hand out business cards on someone else’s premises, but we’re not suggesting that you target direct competitors, here. Instead, think of affiliate businesses: companies related to your industry that will have good reason to recommend your services. For example, home improvement contractors could leave cards in a real estate office, and a dog groomer could leave cards in a pet supplies store or vet’s clinic.
Not only will this tactic increase the circulation of your business cards – as pet owners and new homeowners slip your card into their wallets – but it’ll also encourage business-to-business partnerships. Asking for a place to hand out your business cards could be the first step towards collaborating on a larger project, or towards pooling your networks and client bases to reach an even wider, combined audience. Furthermore, if positive feedback begins to filter back to the business you left your cards in, then you can expect them to continue referring customers to you. It’s a win-win situation!
With Your Products
Finally, another important place to hand out your business cards is with a product your customers have already purchased from you. Drop it into a gift bag, enclose it in an envelope, or hide it among the polystyrene and brown paper in a gift box. Although the logic may seem backward here – why spend time reaching out to customers who already have your contact details? – the truth is that, because they’ve already committed to availing of your goods and services, they’re an excellent opportunity for repeat custom and favorable reviews.
Given that a lot of business cards promote services rather than products, however, we do have some alternative ways to get your cards into the hands of proven customers. How about attaching it to the corner of an invoice, much like our aforementioned résumés and proposals? You could ask for their contact details, add them to a newsletter or mailing list, and include your business card in their first communiqué. If they’re particularly valued clients – loyal enough to earn their place on a holiday card list, for example – then that’s another way to stealthily disseminate your cards (along with flyers, brochures, and other essential marketing materials).
The question of where to hand out business cards doesn’t have to be complicated. The answer is: ‘Anywhere you find people,’ and thanks to the tips we’ve related in the above article, you’ll know what to do with your business cards when a prospective customer or exciting job opening comes along. Follow the step-by-step guide and pointers in our “How to Design Your Own Unique Business Card on Zazzle” article, and be generous with your cards when you have them. After all, if you run out, you can always order more of the design that works best!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
