Business cards are powerful marketing tools.
For most businesses, marketing has a big impact on the bottom line; not only does it make your audience aware of your products and services, it creates desire and a perception of need. Marketing strategies come in a wide range of mediums and forms, but the best are those that produce a high return on investment and give customers an easy, logical next step for getting involved with your business.
Business Cards
Business cards are an old standby in the business world, but are often underutilized as a marketing tool. Because your business card is often referenced for contact information, it has the potential to communicate your marketing message each time a customer pulls it out. Make the most of your business cards by making them speak for your business when you can't. Include a list of services to remind people of your purpose and make them aware of your capabilities. You also can turn business cards into referral cards to increase word-of-mouth marketing.
Direct Marketing
Direct marketing, when done right, can be one of the most powerful marketing strategies because it creates an immediate relationship between you and your customer. Direct marketing can take several forms, from in-person meetings with potential clients to cold calling and personalized letters and emails. By addressing individual customer needs right off the bat, you can respond immediately to customer questions, show off expertise and add value. In doing so, you remove the burden of choice for customers and engage directly in a discussion without waiting for them to come to you.
Social Responsibility
It can be difficult for customers to part with their money, and anything you can do to make them feel good about their purchase with your business can be a useful marketing strategy. Instead of telling your customers how much you do for the environment or the community, show them. Create a reputation as a company who helps the community without seeking constant praise or recognition by volunteering for charity events, donating to local groups and responding to disaster aid pleas. In doing so, you usually will get some form of visibility and an invaluable association with a positive cause. When possible, get involved with events and organizations your target customer is likely to support.
Emotional Appeals
Many consumers buy according to their feelings, and emotional appeals can be successful for marketers. Use the things that will resonate with your target audience: if you are marketing to mothers, for example, you might use imagery of touching mother/child moments or words that make them feel the joy and loss of special life moments. Emotional marketing is a way to respond to world issues; use calming, reassuring marketing during a recession or alarming world crisis, and more upbeat marketing when times are strong.
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