GC Network Blog

How important is your business card? Simply put, your business card is your most functional, useful tool for digging up new business. Can you attract and gain new business without a business card? Absolutely, just as you can dig a hole without a shovel, but let's face it, tools are designed to take advantage of a better way of doing things. They are generally inexpensive and highly effective when used properly.

Most everyone knows how to use a shovel; you place the pointed tip into the ground. Step on the rear of the head with your foot and leverage your weight to drive it into the ground before levering the handle to extract your earth, thus leaving a hole. Why am I going into detail about how to use a shovel when I just stated that everyone knows how? Well, because even though it seems like the simplest thing in the world to do, I wanted to remind you of all of the complex theories that come together to make it work optimally.

Using your business card is much the same and there are many ways that you can optimize the performance of your business card. The most important thing you should do, is to make certain that your business card reflects you, your personality and the essence of your business. The purpose of your card is to compliment the memory of you, so that later on, a person can see the card and call to mind your business and your most recent encounter. Or vice versa, they can see you and recall whom you are and what it is that you do from the information on your card. Thus, having made the connection and deciding to pursue it, they are fortunate enough to have your contact information at the ready.

I have seen thousands and thousands of business cards, many with varied shapes, sizes and gimmicks designed to make a strong, memorable impression. Some people collect them neatly in a book or binder designed specifically for this purpose but I can name a dozen people of my acquaintance who have a desk drawer just filled with them. If my card is in that drawer, you can spot it in a matter of seconds because it stands outs from the pile and it is highly recognizable with my big yellow construction helmet logo. I like to think those folks are reminded of me several times each week, when they open that drawer.

Another good thing to keep in mind when designing and purchasing your business cards is that you're going to use them, a lot. In fact, every chance you get. Purchase a good quantity, at least a thousand (you always get a better unit price this way anyhow!). There is no worse feeling than meeting someone, giving them your pitch, knowing that you've made a great contact and then leaving them empty handed. Don't let yourself run out and if you are getting low - order more early. When handing out your card, try to give two to each contact. One card is for the contact and one card is for him to pass on to a colleague or friend. A personal referral of this nature is one of the strongest possible sources of new business and I bet one closed deal more than pays for the entire box of business cards!

The last thing that is important to mention about purchasing business cards is this: buy from a local vendor or printer. In most cases they will cost you a little more from a local shop versus buying them online, right? Wrong, Wrong and Wrong! Yes, the "price" may be a little higher but the "cost" of not doing business locally is the cost of lost opportunities and it can be extremely high. These folks print business cards, how many people does your local printer see day in and day out? I guarantee you that he belongs to a Chamber of Commerce and that he engages in multiple networking opportunities in order to promote his own business, so he's probably pretty well known in your community. He's an amazing source of referrals! It is well worth that extra ten or fifteen dollars to do business with him and to maintain an established relationship with him. He's also going to guide and advise you on how to get the most out of your cards, you'll get better service and a better quality of card because he cares about keeping your business in business.

GC Network representatives get their cards from Tim Cooper of G & S Printing. Tim provides us with business cards that we are proud to hand out to our customers and contacts. We get guidance on the layout, a proof before going to print and Tim always makes arrangements to hand deliver the finished product. We have received countless referrals for new listings from Tim. Ask any of his clients and they will tell you that that local connection is a priceless benefit to doing business locally with G & S Printing.

Don't forget to send GC Network a handful of your business cards, we keep them handy and pass them along to folks needing your services while we are out networking, working at tradeshows and at various other opportunities! Contact us for mailing instructions.