How to Design a Client-Getting Business Card

We loved this blog post from our friend Bill Baren and got permission to share it with you. Enjoy!

I rarely see networking work really well.

It’s true, the majority of business owners I speak to either network sporadically (“pitch and run”) or they spend a lot of time networking… and …

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They rarely get many clients through their networking efforts.

I see you investing your time and effort into networking that doesn’t result in new clients and worse yet, it results in you losing faith that networking can work for you.

Networking doesn’t work unless you follow certain basic
principles of enrollment.

Go to networking events regularly with organizations that have repeat visitors and a community
Then concentrate on creating relationships first, enrolling second
Have a compelling “elevator pitch” that leaves the people in your tribe (your target audience) wanting more
Have a unique business card with a call to action on it (see below)
Most importantly: follow up and schedule a “get to know you” session with potential clients. (Don’t wait for them to follow up with you, they usually won’t, not because they’re not interested, but because they are waiting for YOU to take the lead.)

A question for you: Is your business card getting tossed within 24 hours?

A business card specifically created for networking can be an incredible tool to build your credibility, help you stand out and also build an audience of people who are actually looking for the results your service offers.

Here’s how to take a plain, boring business card and turn it into a client generating machine.

Front of the Card ideas

Put a picture on the front of your card that showcases your personality. This is so people you meet remember you better.
Write on the front of the business card: “I gave you this card because I enjoyed meeting you. I’d love to see you again, so look for me.” This line along with the picture will cement you in their memory and it also invites them to seek you out at the next event.
Include a phone # or an email address (one or the other). You want to encourage people to use the mode of communication that you respond faster to.

Back of the Card ideas

You want to include a “call to action”, so that when the person you gave the card to goes home and looks at your card again, they actually do something with the card instead of just filing it somewhere or throwing it out.
I recommend that you include a link to a web page offering a high quality free gift like an ebook or audio from you.
Nothing else should be placed on the back of the card, other than the URL where they should go for that action, and a short description of the benefits.

Here’s an example of the Back of a Business Card (using me
as an example)

“If you are coach, healer or small business owner who really wants to make a difference with your service but you feel disconnected, disempowered and you’re not sure of the best ways to market yourself…

My free video training will help you find all the clients you need in your own backyard.”

Then you put the URL of your free gift

Here are the benefits of having a card like this:

You get to stand out in a sea of networkers
You are inviting people who have met you once to come seek you out
You are developing relationships quicker
You are establishing yourself as an expert
You get to build your list when people you meet opt-in to your call to action. And only the people who want what you have will opt-in and get on your email list.
You get to finally make networking work for you

Take a look at the examples below for some great cards that I really love – and I’ve got some great free resources for you there too.

Let me know what you think.

Once you’ve got a card that works for you, it’s time to start learning how to work the room. Those are some advanced networking moves.

But that’s later… Stay tuned, my friend. Stay tuned..

Warmly,
~Bill

Business Card Examples

Here are two business cards that are outstanding examples of how to successfully engage your tribe and build your list!

PS if you’re curious about what emails you should send people after they sign up for your list, you can try signing up for the free gifts offered below and see what message your receive.

BUSINESS CARD #1

Front