Do You Know How To Turn Your Business Card Into A Lead Generating Machine?

Your business card is the most often overlooked form of lead generation. In fact, most business owners never even consider the possibility that their business card should be driving prospects to them in droves.

And yet, it can be one of your most versatile lead generation tools for your business’s product or service.

What you need to know…

The key is to create a business card that gets your prospects to take a specific action rather than simply provide boring contact information.

There’s a formula to follow that will help you create powerful business cards that compel your prospects to take a specific action. That formula states that you must Interrupt your prospects (usually done with an attention grabbing headline), Engage them (by promising a solution to the problem the headline presented), Educate them (by providing compelling information that highlights the value you offer) and making them an irresistible Offer (a specific call to action).

The front of the card will look like a fairly typical business card. It contains your logo if you have one, your business’s name, your name and title, and at the bottom is your address with city, state and zip code. However, the last line on the card should be in red type and say… “see opposite side for special offer.” Who can possibly resist turning that card over to find out what that special offer is?

And since most business cards were received from the individual themselves, there is already a certain rapport, relationship or trust level established that increases the likelihood that they will respond to your offer.

Why you need to know this…

Your prospects are literally bombarded with marketing messages today. They basically tune them all out. The business card just described adds a “unique” flavor to the business owner who uses them. The card with the “offer” in red effectively Interrupts them. Then when they turn it over, they see another headline that Engages them by promising to solve a major problem, frustration or concern they tend to experience when doing business with a company like yours.

Since the business card itself isn’t large enough to effectively Educate them on what you do, the Offer must do double duty by educating them about your product or service as well as compelling the prospect to take a specific action. Both of these can be easily accomplished by making the offer an informational offer such as a report, a CD, a DVD, a teleconference call or possibly a webinar.

But consider one additional suggestion. What if a prospect COULD become educated from your business card? With the popularity and easy access to YouTube, try this. Video yourself being “interviewed” about your area of expertise. Just a short two to three minute clip is fine.

On the front of your business card, just below your contact information, insert this wording… “Check out my expertise for yourself!” Then add the video URL for them to enter into their browser. This video should be someone interviewing you “Larry King” style and automatically positions you as an “industry expert.”

But don’t stop there. Create a second video of approximately the same length, and just below the previous wording, insert this phrase… “Here’s how I can help you now!” Add the video URL for this video, and it should be you looking directly into the camera and offering them a compelling reason to take a specific action.

The cost to you if you fail to act…

When your clients can receive compelling information about what you do in a non-threatening way, they are much more likely to respond to your offer and eventually become a client.

So are you using your business card to generate leads?

Do you know how to structure the message on the card so it generates results?

Are you aware that every marketing piece, including your business cards, should always contain what is referred to as “persuasion architecture?”

Do you have the knowledge and skills to effectively create all of this?

All of these suggestions can turn your business card into a lead generation machine.

You can design your own personalised business card for pennies in the dollar at
www.getgreetingcards.com (best viewed with Firefox)

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Christmas Cards – Facebook, Twitter Or Mail?

In a time when we use computers and smart phones to send birthday and anniversary greetings, many people still opt to use the good old-fashioned mail to wish their friends and families a Merry Christmas.

In fact, the Greeting Card Association and Cleveland’s American Greetings maintain that Christmas is the top card-sending holiday in the nation, with about 1.5 billion cards expected to be purchased this year, down slightly from a year ago.

And there are those like Chris Hulsey who take the whole thing a step further.

In the lower level of her Hudson home is an office with special tools she uses to create extraordinary greeting cards. It has become such a labor of love that some people are insulted if they receive a store-bought card from her rather than one of her creations, she said.

“I love to make Christmas cards more than any other seasonal card,” Hulsey said. “It’s the best time of the year to reach out and reflect.”

So competitive is her family that Hulsey and her sisters, who also make cards, secretly design each year’s greetings and keep them hidden from each other until a carrier slips them into their mailboxes.

But it sure is easier, and less expensive, to send a quick message on Facebook or Twitter. Those interested in sending unique e-cards or music videos can find many options on the Internet. For instance, you can visit JibJab (http://sendables.jibjab.com/holidays) and plop pictures of your relatives atop the cartoon-like bodies.

Even greeting card companies such as Hallmark and American Greetings have worked to make computer users happy by offering e-cards, holiday wishes that can be sent via the Internet.

Still, there are those who, like Hulsey, won’t give up sending greetings by mail.

“I think that e-cards are too impersonal for Christmas. Plus, you have to have your computer turned on in order to read them. It’s much easier to open a traditional Christmas card at the table and enjoy it. I like opening Christmas cards,” said Jane Koza of Cuyahoga Falls. “Call me old-fashioned but the Internet isn’t the answer to everything.”

Annette Bader of Bath Township isn’t fond of Internet greetings, either.

“I have only gotten one or two Christmas e-cards. I certainly hope that this doesn’t become a trend. To me it seems like a cheap substitute for the real thing,” Bader said. “And it reminds me of those mass e-mails sent to 100 people telling them how ‘special,’ ‘loved’ or ‘blessed’ they are to the sender.”

The ailing economy has caused some to scale back the number of cards they send, but they don’t want to give up the practice entirely.

“We used to send cards every year. However, with postage going up and not being in touch with people, now my husband methodically fills out a card to someone as soon as we receive their card. This way he has their current address,” said Nancy Lemmon of Stow. “If we do not get a card, then he does not send one out, figuring there will be no hurt feelings.”

Perhaps, as Juanita Weaver of Tallmadge suggests, those choosing to use the Internet should consider personalizing their e-cards.

“I think the key is to customize the greetings to the recipient … not sending a mass mailing to one’s e-mail address list and considering the task done,” Weaver said.

In many families, sending and receiving cards brings back fond memories. Jenna Waggoner of Wooster said her family used to receive hundreds of greetings when she was a kid. But things have changed.

“I have sons who definitely have not and will not send cards, even though they watched me do it all their formative years. I believe this is more a gendered activity — something women do, keeping in touch with old friends,” lamented Linda Williams of Munroe Falls. “Even so, I think the tradition may die out, sadly, with the [baby] boomers. Younger people will just post their wishes on Facebook or its equivalent.”

But as Williams said, “you can’t adorn your fireplace mantel with Facebook posts.”

Real Christmas cards are the only way to go. And with technology they are simple, fun and easy to send.

Greg Reed, Chief Card Officer at GetGreetingCards.com said that a colleague of his recently created a physically, printable card using his software and sent via the post 1021 cards in just 12 seconds! Amazing!

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How to Send All Your Holiday Cards & Gifts In 10 Minutes – Webinar

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Christmas Greeting Cards – Making Your Own Christmas Greeting Cards

Holiday season is approaching. As December starts, people usually think about the holidays. You probably think about how you would send your Christmas greetings to your family and friends especially to those who are miles away. Traditionally, people go to bookstores and shop for nice ready-made Christmas cards with pre-written holiday greetings and wishes. But don’t you think it’s time to create your own Christmas card greetings?

Creating your own greeting card will give you a chance to work out your skills when it comes to creativity. You will also be able to add your touch on your Christmas greetings. Don’t know how to start? Read on and learn from these tips on how to make your Christmas card:

Choose your greeting website. There are many greeting card websites online that offer wide range of free Christmas cards, such as GetGreetingCards.com. This kind of website will give you an option to send the card from your computer and send it via snail mail. You can choose from over 15,000 printable greeting cards.

Choose your holiday card. Once you come up with the right choice of Christmas card, next step is to select your card and personalize it the way you want it to be. Depending on whom you’re going to give the card to, you can choose from the categories like Christmas greetings for husband, for wife, for friend, for mother and so on.

Personalize your card. You have selected your card for your loved one, next move is personalization. Most greeting websites online allow their users to customize their chosen cards the way they want them to be. They can modify the themes, designs and Christmas messages of the card. One can even add their own photos, videos or music on it (using QR codes). You can also preview your artwork after you customize it to see if all are fit and ready. Once you’re satisfied with your card, you can either print it out or send it via email.

Additional tips: For those who want to use a paid greeting site, choose the one the offers free trial. That will give you a chance to try-out their services before investing money on it.

And there you have it! Gone are those days that you have to go out just to buy your holiday cards for a loved one. Exercise your creativity and add personal touch to your greetings with these custom Christmas cards.

Now, if you are looking for free Christmas cards and holiday greetings, you may want to visit GetGreetingCards.com. It is a free greeting website that allows user to browse and send a greeting card for free! It also provides printable Christmas greetings and Christmas Gifts.

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Personalised Christmas Cards With Love

When Christmas comes around it is so easy to get caught up in the festive buzz of buying Christmas gifts, decorating the house, attending office parties and children’s nativities that it is easy to forget those people dear to us who are far away from home for Christmas. Perhaps you have a relative in the armed forces, battling their Christmas away in an unsafe territory. The festive season is going to hit them hard as they will miss out on the family gatherings and joy that they know is going on at home.

Perhaps you know somebody who migrated to Australia? Being on the other side of the world can make visiting home a difficult task, not only financially but getting the time off work for a long visit too. Although they are probably living the dream in the land down under, come Christmas Day they will find themselves teary eyed and thinking of home. No matter where in the world, we always do our best to send gifts if we can, and of course cards to let them know we haven’t forgotten them and wish they were home.

Sometimes sending gifts far away or to war torn countries can be difficult and you may have your options reduced to only a Christmas card. Don’t be upset though as now with the world of personalised cards available online, you can make a selection of cards that will blow any Christmas gifts out of the water.

By searching online you will come across cards to suit every occasion and every recipient. Perhaps you have a football crazy brother serving in Afghanistan? Make him smile with a personalised football Christmas card. You can choose from a crowd of fans holding up a banner printed with his name and a greeting or have his name printed on the back of his favourite player’s jersey. If he likes a laugh you can even super impose his face on a football in flight! As he is far away and bound to be missing his loved ones, why not superimpose your families faces on some football supporters to remind him of home. There is absolutely no doubt that he will keep this card close to his heart until he eventually comes home safely.

For those on the other side of the world; they will be experiencing the heat of an Australian summer in December. Although they may be lounging on the beach you can be sure they are longing for a home cooked Christmas feast and mulled wine. Gather the family or friends up for a group photo all raising a glass to the recipient. All you need to do is upload this image online and hey presto! This is the front of your Christmas card! You can include text of your choice inside and outside the card so get browsing for ideas today.

The best thing about these cards is that they are incredibly easy to design. You simply supply your images and text and the website does all the work for you, showing you your finished product before your payment. These cards are also very cheap and you may find that you never buy one from the high street again. Personalised cards can mean more than any Christmas gifts out there if you are away from home, so send some joy their way and get personalising.

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The Thank You Economy – Why Business Must Adapt

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5 Reasons Why You Should Send Holiday Cards

When it comes to the annual sending of Holiday Cards I’ve often wondered why the tradition that started in the 1800s has continued to this day. With all of the phone calls, emails, texts, tweets, Facebook posts and social networking opportunities galore, you would think the sending of greeting cards would fast become a lost art. Instead, the personal connection holiday cards bring are more important than ever and here are several reasons why.

1) Personal Relationships. You need to put a little extra effort into maintaining and growing your personal relationships. True, you may have followed up on your last meeting with a phone call but that has become expected. You need to work at strengthening relationships and holiday cards do just that. By remembering someone with a thoughtful holiday greeting you are letting them know that they are special to you. Taking that bit of extra time to address and mail them a card lets them know they matter to you and to your business.

2) Loyalty. It takes effort to build loyalty and even more to maintain it. Closing that first sale means a lot but you want that customer to keep coming back to you. You don’t want them looking around, you just want them to trust that you are providing them with the very best in price, quality, service and product or service. To insure that they think of you and only you, you must earn their trust and maintain their loyalty. Sending them thoughtful holiday cards will let them know that they are special to you. Even better, remember them with personal birthday cards, anniversary cards and thank you cards throughout the year to keep your name in front of them and retain their loyalty.

3) Hard copy. It has been proven that people actually ignore more than half of the emails they receive daily. Unless they are looking for an email from you or you are offering something free or at a great discount that they actually want and need, emails are glanced at and deleted. Custom printed holiday cards that come through the mail and are addressed to the receiver are always opened and enjoyed. During the holidays these cards are often displayed for all to see. What better way to get your name in front of those that matter.

4) Time Well Spent. We’ve all used the excuse that I just don’t have time to select, address and send holiday cards. I’ve often thought that myself. However, this once a year ritual is well worth the effort if you want to stay connected with friends, family, customer and business associates. Take a moment now to go ahead and select a design with a thoughtful custom imprinted verse and your very own personalization. Round up your mailing list and use this opportunity to update your mailing addresses. You can even enjoy remembering each addressee as you stuff their envelope with your unexpected surprise card. With just a little effort and time spent you will be rewarded with lasting partnerships and strengthen new connections.

5) Stay in Touch. Don’t just say “I’ll be in touch”, do it! By sending holiday cards you are being proactive and investing in your future. Professionally printed holiday cards or Christmas cards send a stylish and tasteful message that shows you cared enough to take the time to remember them. Christmas Photo Cards are especially cherished by friends and family who may not have seen you or your family in a while. Customers will feel special, business associates will appreciate the gesture and friends and family will remember you fondly.

There really are no excuses for not sending holiday cards this year. Considering how tough it is to grow and maintain business, any advantage you can leverage is called for. Personalized holiday cards are a simple way to express thoughtfulness and appreciation to those you value in your business and personal life.

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Christmas Cards For Business

With Christmas approaching, individuals are more likely to experience holiday stress (a combination of financial pressure to fulfill a shopping list, with the growing awareness of every broken resolution…) than the stereotypical Christmas cheer.

Even an optimist can be broken down during the holiday season, because the bills won’t stop piling up (wouldn’t it be nice if December was a “free” month?) and the junk mail keeps coming in. All of that junk mail is the failed attempts of businesses who think that “shopping season” is the best time to try impersonal direct mail marketing strategies.

Meanwhile, modern communication has resulted in Christmas card being sent to an inbox instead of a mail box.

Your business can make a smart decision this year, because the holiday season should not be viewed as a commercialized time of year. Advertising does not need to stress consumers out!

Business Christmas cards are a direct mail marketing alternative. Including a special offer or incentive is optional and completely unnecessary because the biggest conversion point is in the Christmas card itself.

Business Christmas cards are a warm and friendly, personal gesture of gratitude and appreciation. Even the simplest of messages (“Dear X, Happy Holidays… Sincerely X”) can be a powerful message when delivered in a business Christmas card.

While this approach is beneficial to building customer loyalty, you should not overlook the advantages of expressing appreciation to employees through business Christmas card.

The holiday season can be overwhelming for everyone, and this can have an impact on work productivity. Regardless of the size of your business, Christmas cards are a simple and cost effective way to brighten the moods and express appreciation for the contribution that each employee makes to your company.

It is important to avoid a generalized or impersonal message when sending out business Christmas card to employees. If you have a larger business, you can encourage each branch manager to provide a personal message for each unique individual that plays an important role in your business. Christmas cards will improve customer loyalty and increase employee productivity, through the simple task of expressing appreciation.

When used as a direct mail marketing strategy, business Christmas cards are also a smart approach for B2B marketing. Local businesses, and relevant businesses (affiliates) will appreciate the message that is received with a business Christmas card and you will be in their thoughts…

Choosing Business Christmas Cards for the Most Effective Delivery of Message

Remember that religion plays a large part in Christmas, so “Season’s Greetings” might be less offensive to some than “Merry Christmas.” It’s never a good idea to be too general either you want business Christmas cards that offer a warm and inspiring message to all.

While many companies who specialize in corporate greeting cards can personalize a card to match the color and style of your business, and perhaps even include your logo, this is not a good idea with business Christmas cards. The purpose of a Christmas card should be nothing more than a friendly gesture that will receive the appreciation of those who receive it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2734893

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Printable Christmas Cards – What Choices Are There?

There’s no denying the fact that Christmas cards are getting more and more expensive as each year passes, so if you want to save some money this holiday season, it’s definitely a good idea to look at your options for printable Christmas cards. There are various websites on the Internet that offer Christmas card templates, which can be modified according to your desires. These templates, once redesigned, can then be downloaded in a high resolution image file and then printed out on any color printer. Ordinary inkjet printers will handle these cards just fine, and you’ll find that they will look just as good as the cards found along the aisles.

There are two ways of going about printable Christmas notes. First, you can look up a design online, and do it yourself by hand. Although more painstaking, they are definitely more fulfilling to create, making them all the more special for you and the recipient. It’s also less likely to be thrown in the bin, seeing as how you’ve put in a substantial amount of effort to create it. Then of course, there are the printable Christmas cards that can be designed on your computer through any of several photo-editing programs. It’s obviously a lot easier to customize these “soft” greeting cards, especially if you’re handy with a program such as Photoshop. You can add images, graphics, and choose a theme of your choice.

Printable Christmas notes are basically a return to the old style of creating cards. Instead of buying cards from companies that are pre-made and have canned messages in them, printable Christmas cards encourage you to really use your creative side to create a greeting card for the holidays that you can you really call your own. Conventional greeting cards as you probably know, are considered by many as cheap these days-and it’s no wonder why. They’re far too easy to acquire, and after a while, any messages you place inside these cards lose their sincerity.

Whichever type of printable Christmas cards you choose, it’s always important to let your creativity shine. Feel free to let your imagination run wild, and unleash the child in you. Not only will you find yourself wonderfully immersed in your holiday project, your cards’ recipients will definitely appreciate how you’ve added your personality into your cards. Remember to have fun, and imbue the spirit of the holidays in your printable Christmas cards.

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The Card Emporium

As Individual As YOU Are. We Believe It's Important That We Positively Touch Somebody's Life Every Day

Do You Know How To Turn Your Business Card Into A Lead Generating Machine?

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Printable Christmas Cards – What Choices Are There?