While organizing events and training small-business owners to attract more clients with networking, I am still amazed to see how many entrepreneurs don’t use their business card as a marketing tool.

You are your first marketing tool. The way you dress, speak, and introduce yourself to people make the first impression. In less than 10 seconds, they already decided if they are ready to spend time speaking with you or working with you. After you introduce yourself, you usually give your business card, and this is your second most effective marketing tool, because this is what people keep from you and go home with.

So why don’t you put every chance on your side and give others more information about your business?

Most of solo-entrepreneurs and small business owners spend hours and hours, and lots of money, to find the best way to market their businesses. However, when it comes to their business cards, they don’t follow the same rules. Most of them use a regular black-and-white business card with their logo, name, e-mail, phone number, address, and website.

Do you really have the feeling of standing out from the crowd with a boring business card like this one? Would you rather use your business card to hook your audience and make a phenomenal impression right away?

First, you need to use the same logo on your business card and on every other piece of marketing material. This includes your website, letterhead, brochures, postcards, etc. This is your branding. I know it sound obvious, but still many people use different graphics on each and every piece.

Second, I personally don’t think that mentioning your mailing address on your business card will bring you more business, unless you have a store, a restaurant, or a retail business. You could definitely use the space with a much more important marketing message. A tagline which describes your business mission in three or four words will be much more efficient. Offering a discount, coupon, a free consultation, or inviting people to sign up for your newsletter to receive a free report or a free e-course will also be much more efficient. It should drive people to your website and help you build your list.

Every time you give your business card to somebody, it’s a chance to communicate something about your business. Your business card will help people decide whether they want to work with you or not, since it is an extension of your business.

So it is time to give your business a makeover.

In my program, “Power of Networking Secrets”, Step 3 is “How to Design a Memorable Business Card”. I help my clients to completely redesign their business card in order to grab people’s attention within seconds.

Take the opportunity of the Holiday, when business can be slower, to think of what message you want people to keep about you and your business. Find the message that will get their attention and generate questions.

For example, when I started my business I used to put on my business card, Biba F. Pédron, Founder. Who cares? Now I have Biba F. Pédron, “The Connection Queen”. That gets me comments each time: “The Connection Queen, I love that”, “The Connection Queen, great name” or “The Connection Queen, I definitely need you. How do you keep in touch with people after an event”, etc…. The first impact on people makes them ask me questions, and they will remember our conversation after the event.

Then I use the back of my card, to either promote my book, “Start Your Dream Business Today”, my program “Power of Networking Secrets”, or offer my free mini e-course, “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Results”. I have various business cards, so even if I meet the same person at different times, I give them a different card each time, and it is an opportunity for me to communicate in another way with them. This also means that they will react to the message that speaks to them the most and according to their needs.

How many of you use the back of your card to spread your marketing message?

Remember your business card is a very important marketing tool. Use it to attract potential clients and not only to provide your contact information. Use it to pass on your business message and attract more clients.

After you give your business card a makeover to make sure you will start 2008 with the most effective marketing message, please, please, avoid printing them yourself on your printer. It doesn’t cost a lot to print professional business cards. You can order a thousand for $40 or less online. You can even print your business cards by 100 or 200 and change the message on a regular basis. It doesn’t cost a lot more to print on both sides, but it does make an incredible difference and has a greater impact on people.

Promote your business the right way. Don’t kill your effect with a non-professional business card.

Still need help to revamp your business card and create a professional image? Don’t lose another client because of a non-professional business card. Read more about it and get your copy of “Power of Networking Secrets”.

(c) 2007 Biba F. Pédron