Business Sense: Getting your cards out there… now what?

You have designed, ordered, and received your business cards. They are small slips of heavy weight paper that announce to the world that you have a store. You are a person to be taken seriously. So now what? How do you get your business cards into the hands of others? Here are a few simple, yet creative ways to get your cards into the hands of others.

The Public Bulletin Board
Most small restaurants, some grocery stores, and many small boutiques have a “public” bulletin board. They are a small space where people can post for local businesses. This is a great place to display some of your cards. I suggest keeping a small box of attractive pushpins, business cards, and if you don’t want to push through them a way to display them on the board. I suggest hitting up an office store for a display you can mount.

The Dinner Check
The waiter/waitress has taken your plate and come back with a small booklet and a receipt to sign. You flick your wrist and leave your name on the paper. Now you have a choice. You can get up walk away from the table, or you could consider pulling out your business cards and leaving one behind. Think about it. You never know if this person could become your next best customer.

Your Cheerleaders
In some cases this might actually be a group of cheerleaders. Right now one of my best advertisers is someone on the softball team of my old high school. But in general the people promoting my store the most, other then me, is my mother and best friend. They believe in me, and they believe in my art. That is what you need to find. You need to find the people that no matter how many pieces you show them they are still amazed. You need to first show them how much you appreciate them. Then you need to give them as many cards as they will take. You should also give them a piece for free to display. I give my mom jewelry all the time. Because people will see it, ask about it, and they will glow as they tell people about it. That is the best advertising you can ask for.

Meet and Greets
I have my blog, facebook, twitter, and store website listed on my cards. I want the little buggers to do as much for me as they can. I want people to be able to find me. And, I want people to go to my shop. So when I am out talking to other people I always keep business cards for others. I also wear my own jewelry, so that people can ask me about it.