How Business Cards Can Expand Your Network

culled from:overnightprints.com

A well-designed business card should be part of your artillery to use to promote your business. But, it takes more than simply handing someone your business card to expand your business. To use business cards to grow as a company or to expand your network, you have to include a personal touch to establish trust and build relationships. As you get to know people, find out what it is they do and what it is they care about. Once you have resources, references, and a pool of people that can give you a good referral, your opportunity to reach a greater audience will increase.
The people you know and the acquaintances you’ve been introduced to are considered your sphere of influence. Those people are your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and former employers. Teachers, bus drivers, doctors, store owners, and mail carriers are other people you see on a regular basis to consider when promoting your business. Believe it or not, everyone has a sphere of influence that can add up to at least 200 contacts!
Business cards given to everyone within your sphere of influence has the potential of expanding your sphere to reach new contacts within a short amount of time. Before you order your business cards, take the time to compile your unique sphere of influence list.

• People are more likely to do business with people they know!
• Individuals in your sphere of influence are your best resources.
• People always ask for recommendations from others when seeking new services or products.
• When you introduce people in your sphere of influence to each other, they will be more likely to introduce you to their contacts.

Increase your opportunities to meet new people by attending network meetings. Tell others you want to meet new people. Business associations, civic clubs, and organizations are ideal places to make new contacts. Always have business cards with you to hand out; request their business card or contact information. Tell them you will be contacting them and then follow-up within 24-48 hours. Even if it is simply to say how nice it was to meet them, it is taking the time for personal contact that will increase chances of them remembering you. They will be more inclined to refer you or your business to someone they know as the need arises.

• Do not focus on business opportunities immediately with a new contact.
• Establish a relationship first by getting to know them.
• Invite new contacts to events they are already interested in or take them out to lunch to be better acquainted.
• Ask how you can support their ideas, interests, or needs.
• When someone introduces you to a new contact, remember to thank him or her! A call, notecard, or even a small token gift may be appropriate if the contact resulted in new business.

Planning to make new contacts is only the beginning to successful networking. Once you have made new contacts you need to make a plan to organize and keep track of follow-up communication. How often have you returned from a business trip with several different business cards stuffed in your pocket and then had difficulty remembering who it was that handed it to you? It might be hard to recall which booth or display you visited and picked up that business card at a conference.  Understanding business card etiquette can help make better use of card exchanges. Receiving a business card directly from someone is better than simply picking up a random card from an exhibit booth. When you take a card from someone, shake his or her hand, and make eye contact. Ask questions about their business, position, or interests.

• Before putting their business card in your wallet or pocket, jot a note on the back of it to remind you of the conversation.
• Make a mental note to contact them as soon as possible.
• Make a schedule to contact those in your network on a regular basis. A simple hello postcard, short call, or email will do!
• Make a record of information important to your contacts such as children’s names, birthdays, hobbies, and special interests.

Focus on giving rather than receiving when you use business cards to expand your network. Offer your assistance and assure that person that you can meet his or her goals or needs. Not only will this provide you an opportunity to learn what is important to them, but it will also build trust and respect for you and your business. Do not hesitate to give away something to establish yourself or your business as a valuable resource. Exchange information freely with others. Send referrals to contacts that may have a service or product that someone is looking for that you cannot provide. Explore ways to give away something to build credibility and trust with those you know or wish to know better.

• Write an article for a club or association newsletter.
• Hold a free informational workshop
• Volunteer to represent your club or organization at a conference.
• Offer a free valuable report that your contacts can save for future reference.
• Provide discounts or gifts to loyal customers.

Successful networking involves much more than simply showing up at a conference and passing out and collecting business cards. Used properly, business cards are a vital tool to use to promote your business; but cards alone will not help to establish the relationships needed to build successful personal and business relationships. Business cards are a great measure for building your business well into the future. A few simple steps can easily enhance a master-networking plan.

• Do not hand someone a business card before introductions have been completed! Look for the right time and opportunity to exchange information.
• It is true that we often get what we need in business and life by giving of ourselves to others.
• Be specific in gathering and sharing information.
• Get involved with local groups, organizations.
• Support other businesses and individuals as you wish to be supported.