The Fortune In A Little Slip Of Paper: How Business Cards Can Help Internet Marketers

In this highly wired world of handheld devices, cellular phones, and electronic notebooks, it can be difficult to imagine that paper can still serve a purpose. Switch off all the world’s electricity, however, and mangle the World Wide Web, and you can see offices, homes, and businesses turning back to good old paper, pencils, and pens to get the job done.

The same is true in marketing. Not all marketing today is done online. In fact, many marketing experts recognize that print is still the way to go, especially since it can be difficult to view advertisements online – not to mention annoying if you prefer to surf without being interrupted by pop-up advertisements, pop-under advertisements, and their likewise annoying ilk. Print marketing can come in the form of posters, brochures, flyers, and the handy, practical business card.

Many a movie has made a joke about Japanese businessmen bowing to each other and presenting each other with personal business cards. Such rituals, however, can be useful in a world where human interaction has been reduced to hurried emails and chats where languages are distorted or replaced with smiling faces. Personal business cards can serve Internet marketing by complimenting what marketing is carried out online.

One of the golden rules in general marketing is to show interest in a customer’s needs. That is, customers need to know that you care before they care about what you know or offer. Internet marketing is no exception: no matter where you go in the world, no matter what website you access online, a personal touch can be important in keeping you glued to your computer screen, and in bringing you back to the website again and again.

If you are interested in Internet marketing, then you also have to be aware that the Internet is not the end of your marketing journey. You need to carry your marketing efforts offline, and you can do this through business cards. In general, business cards have to be rich in information, well-designed, and well distributed.

When designing your business card, you might want to go creative on the shape of your card, but do not make it too big or too small; you want your business card to fit in a person’s wallet, so that you are always within reach. What should not change, however, is the information that you place in your business card. Include your full name, along with your nickname, since you need the former for legal documents and the latter for personal correspondence; your position in your company, or a description of what services you offer; and all your contact information.

In general, you do not need to provide your home number. You need to give your office or professional contact information, including your office address, the address of your home page, your email address, and even your instant messenger handles if you prefer to be contacted via instant messages or chat. Moreover, do not attempt to be cute: some professionals think that they can catch attention by placing cartoons in their business cards, or by having the business cards printed on outrageously colored paper. Be simple and professional: you want to attract the attention of the right people, and not turn off those who might avail of your products and services.

That said; do not make your business card too simple. Do not hand it out to just about anyone. Instead, look for choice events, such as symposia or workshops, where you will be in touch with people above you or on your professional level. This will put you into contact with those who can help you do better and rise above your current level; and this can earn you friends with whom you can share your progress.

Lastly, update your business card at least once every year. This can make people interested enough to visit your website, what with your reinforcement of your presence. These frequent visits can also translate into more sales of your products and services. The key to success in general marketing is to always remind people of your presence, but never to stray into hard selling marketing methods.

These are only a few ways by which you can let business cards assist you in better Internet marketing. For more information on what designs can best serve you, consult with graphic designers or professional business card makers. With an attractive business card, you can succeed in marketing your wares both online and offline.