business Perspective:Using business cards as a marketing tool

On the first day of this year I received a business phone call from a person that I only met once. This is a person whom we met in a business meeting and we exchanged business cards. A year down the line, he wanted some work done for his company, and he decided to go through his card holder, he came across my business card and decided to give me a call. I was ecstatic because day one of the year and I start getting business phone calls – for this I sent a thank you prayer to the Lord. Well, first of all I would not have gotten this phone call if I had not given this person my business card- and that is why I have to stress the importance of business cards. Business cards have been around like forever, yet some people in business still do not know how useful these small pieces of paper can be. Business cards are still some of the most powerful advertising and marketing weapons available to any company however big or small. For starters business cards can be used as tiny and cheap forms of advertising; but at the same time represent the business in both words and design. A well-designed card sells your services immediately you hand it over. Despite their small size, business cards can include a lot of information; one can put more than just the contact information of the company and the person, but also the services offered. A business card also represents trustworthiness, honesty, and reliability that a company has bestowed upon a person. Not only is a company’s reputation or credibility at stake if no business cards are used, but the company stands the chance of being forgotten about when a prospective customer departs from the company’s or representative’s presence. They are also portable, making it easier for anyone to carry them around. It is advised to have at least two card holders in which a person can use one to keep business cards for giving out and the other which is like an album for keeping cards that have been given to you for later reference. Business cards also work round the clock. Unlike the adverts on the electronic media which lasts for about 30 seconds, a business card stays with the customer. Every time that customer looks at your business card, they are reminded of your company. And every time that happens, the chances of that customer using your services increase exponentially. It does not matter the business in which a person is involved in, for as long as it is legitimate; the bottom line is that nowadays no one does business without having business cards. People who know how useful business cards are continue to use them because they bring in more customers for them year in year out. Giving out business cards may be an old way of getting business contacts, and they may be small, but they work. They can increase your revenue, which is exactly the point of any company wanting to be in business; with the small costs involved in making business cards, there is no reason to ignore business cards as a marketing tool for any business. kayitesius@yahoo.com