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Business cards are untapped marketing tools!

So you have a box with 1000 business cards in it.  You probably imagine they will sit on the shelf for the next 5 years collecting dust.
Possibly, you are wondering...what will I possibly do with 1000 business cards? 

The following is a list of places to put the little "devils" and let them work for you: 

  1. On bulletin boards in stores and fast food establishments. 

  2. On the sink in public restrooms 

  3. On the counter of ATM machines 

  4. On the shelf of public telephones 

  5. In the shopping cart when you are done using it at the grocery store 

  6. Inside the pages of library books for the next user to find 

  7. On the tables of fast food restaurants 

  8. Inside magazines at the Dr's offices 

  9. In the pouch on the airplane seat in front of you. 

In addition, hand out my cards to anyone you meet during the day. When you are at the grocery store and strike up a conversation with another shopper, then hand him/her a business card.  If you visit the park with my kids, hand business cards to all the other parents there. When you mail bills, insert a business card in with your payment.  Whenever you write a thank you note to a customer, add two business cards, one for them and one for a friend. 

Make it a goal to hand out 100 cards per week and watch your business grow!! 

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Take out your business card and take a good look at it.
  1. Do you provide a header or slogan that speaks directly to your customers, clients or accounts?
  2. What words do you use to describe your hotel, your property's features and/or services?
  3. Does it distinguish your hotel from your competition?  Remember your card will likely be on a bulletin board or in a rolodex with a other competitors.
This small bit of text could mean the difference between a new account, group and unseen revenue.

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  1. Ensure your website, e-mail address, street address, telephone number, fax number and other vital contact information is provided on the card.
  2. If you have a property direct 800 number provide it.  If not, promote the toll free number for your brand's central reservations.
  3. Remember the aging demographic and utilize large print.
  4. Make your card a "keeper." That is, give some important information on the back that your customers will want to keep with them.
  5. Make sure there's some room to write a message if you need to. You should always write some kind of personal message even if it's only Welcome, Thank you or Best Wishes.
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Give them a reason to call:
  • Our staff works as hard as you do
  • Quality doesn't have to be expensive
  • Not just another hotel
  • The ____ advantage
  • The best-kept secret in ____
  • Don't get stuck with...
  • How our ____ stacks up
  • Can you afford not to...?
Next, give the holder a bottom line that is irresistible:
  • Save up to ____ %
  • Huge discounts
  • Receive a ____% discount when you present this card
  • Visit our website for special rates and coupons
  • Why pay more for ____?  
Lastly, include a closing statement that will motivate the holder to respond:
  • Why settle for ____ when you can have ____
  • A rewarding stay awaits you
  • You owe it to yourself to ____
  • Seeing is believing
  • You'll be glad you did
  • ... and that's a promise!

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Business cards are extremely cost-effective yet often overlooked marketing items.  These cards cost mere pennies per card to produce, yet they can give you an amazing bang for your buck.

  • Provide business (marketing) cards to each employee.  This is an inexpensive way to foster employee pride.  
  • Keep your cards in a protective holder.  Your card is one of the first impressions your prospects will have of you, your propertyand the services you provide.
  • Add a photo of your hotel to your card.  Photos sell!
  • Take your cards to the "big game." When we score a home run or a touchdown throw about twenty of them into the air as you shout "hurrah!" Big dividends will follow.
  • Give them to well-dressed strangers with your compliment on their appearance.
  • Place your card on bullet boards of local restaurants, supermarkets, libraries, and schools.
  • Put your lavish 20% tip on top of your business card whenever and wherever you tip someone.
  • Pass them out in the elevators and at baggage claim.
  • Staple them to a dollar and pay for that car behind you on toll roads or the parking lot.
  • Use your cards. Put a quarter in the meter for that vehicle over there about to get a ticket. Write, "U O Me" or "I didn't want you to have a bad day: on the back.
  • Always have your cards with you and pass them out to everyone. They should be in your shirt pocket, in your purse, in your wallet, in your attache case. Refill daily. Pass them out on every greeting, every introduction, every service, every meeting... to everyone.
  • Give them out with purpose and intent. This is your business...your lively hood!
  • Give your cards to others with two hands. Yes, hand them to others with both hands. Notice the difference it makes.

"You must have mindshare before you can have marketshare." - Christopher M. Knight
Copyright © 2010  Robert J. Thompson.  All rights reserved.