Posted on by Sarah Del Rosario

Small Business Marketing Strategies That Will Help You Sleep Better

business thank you cards

Many entrepreneurs experience stress while starting and running a business. Marketing is no small source of frustration, as small business owners who work alone or with a small staff usually end up wearing many hats. Taking a pragmatic approach to managing promotions by automating customer databases for use in online and offline marketing and pursuing powerful and mostly passive strategies such as sending business thank you cards can lighten your workload and provide peace of mind.

1. De-stress By Automating Some Stages of Your Marketing Workflow

Running a small business requires access to accurate and current customer contact information in addition to secure financial data. At minimum, a customer database should include full names, email addresses and mailing addresses. Most business software suites have automation tools that eliminate the need to manually enter any of this important data.

Automation sounds more difficult that it may end up being when a business uses the right operational and customer relationship management software. Third-party integration solutions can also provide access to complete and correct information across platforms.

The ready availability of information for use in marketing and planning reduces stress at every stage of operations, from keeping records to making data-driven plans. This is particularly the case when you factor in the frequency of errors in data that has been keyed in. A minor transcription mistake could previously cause a business to lose touch with potential repeat customers.

2. Show Gratitude and Give Back By Sending Business Thank You Cards

Expressing gratitude is an effective way to demonstrate appreciation for customers and forge lasting relationships. Business owners who are unsure of the best way to reach out to supporters should consider sending out thank you cards. After designing bulk cards, the design is printed and can be mailed with a minimal level of ongoing involvement on the part of owners or staff.

Ordering cards in bulk reduces the cost of each card as the quantity of cards in an order grows. A business owner and stakeholders can increase the peace of mind that comes with touching base with likely repeat customers by sending cards that also benefit charity. Select a registered tax-exempt charity to receive 20% of the cost of a card order with the option to include a charity line inside each card.

Business owners and stakeholders can choose to support any cause. Depending on the industry, selecting a relevant charitable organization or a group that is likely to appeal to the customer base of an operation are both good options.

3. Go Above and Beyond In Providing Goods and Services To Customers

Both of the preceding marketing methods can go a long way toward raising levels of customer satisfaction. A business should take measures to allow customers to consent to email or direct mail contact, and may even see better results by allowing customers to identify their preferred modes of contact.

When a customer makes a first-time or repeat purchase, business owners should always express appreciation. Customers who feel that a brand is willing to go the extra mile to keep their business are more likely to reward a business with loyalty and positive reviews or testimonials.

Reducing the number of tasks that a small business owner must take on alone or delegate to a small staff goes a long way towards promoting peace of mind. While startups and small businesses can be notoriously stressful work environments, these marketing strategies have the potential to make these enterprises run more efficiently while promoting customer loyalty. These three tips also dovetail together, as a business needs accurate contact information to send business thank you cards and take other measures to enhance customer experience.

Posted on by Sarah Del Rosario

Business Card Etiquette that You Shouldn’t Forget

business thank you cards

Despite the advances brought by the Internet and various high-tech communication tools, the marketing potential of every business has grown wider and can be strengthened as well. While some people think old-school methods of communication can never be used in this modern era of social media and digital marketing, some of these traditional marketing tools still have an important role in helping businesses survive and thrive. One of these conventional tools is the business thank you cards.

Business Cards: What is it & its Importance

 A business card is a small card that contains essential information about a business or a business representative. This is a concrete way to introduce your business and start forming a positive first impression in the minds of potential investors and customers. This is one of the reasons why business cards are still effective and practical marketing tools for any industry.

These are other reasons why a business card is still important in any business venture:

  • 1. There are still those who do not prefer to use smartphones.

Although the majority of people around the world have their cellphones, there are still business owners who do not prefer to have one. You can still build a network with them by giving them your business cards.

  • 2. Business cards prove your legitimacy in the industry.

Consumers and stockholders always want to make sure that the venture they are dealing with is genuine and authentic, and business cards help them achieve that goal. Aside from proving that your business is existing, it is also a clear indication that you are professional and are serious in your field. 

  • 3. Business cards help businesses establish human connections.

Digital communication always guarantees a faster and less stressful way of building networks, even from different parts of the globe. However, it lacks essential matters that must be recognized — human connections like small chit-chats, handshakes and other physical impressions.

With a business card, we can have that kind of personal and intimate connection. It can be an opportunity to start and even continue the conversation, especially with people who are interested in your venture. 

  • 4. Business cards are one of the best ways to build awareness of your brand.

One of the important aspects of every business is its brand. This will serve as the face and identity of the business, and this is the thing that everyone will remember. 

The business card will also convey the branding of your business through its overall aesthetics. The branding and the business card can both acquire and retain customers and even investors. These are all important details that can play a part in bringing success to your venture.

  • 5. Business cards create an identity for your brand.

With so much to offer, digital marketing can make or break your business, but there is still something that only the business card can do and that is to give a tangible face to your brand. Business cards communicate what your business is all about along with the values that your company embraces.

Business Card Etiquette Tips

Business cards are just like greeting cards in that they need to be presentable and appealing, from creating up to handling it to clients and stakeholders.

Here are some of the business card etiquette tips that you must do to ensure the effectiveness of this marketing tool in bringing success to your venture.

  • 1. Always go for the best professional design.

In choosing the overall design of your business card, remember that it must reflect your personality and the identity of your venture. Also, it must look consistent with the other materials you have. It will help your card to always blend to the public and not be awkward for you to present.

  • 2. Readability matters more than creativity.

Decorative designs in a business card will just make it look non-professional and fancy, unlike in greeting cards. Always choose simple fonts, colors, and designs. Just make sure it will be readable to potential clients.

  • 3. Consider its overall layout.

The standard size of a business card is 3.5 inches by 2 inches. Odd shapes are not recommended and will only make the card unpresentable. Moreover, if you consider writing something on the back, make sure that it is essential.

  • 4. Do not use bright or loud colors.

Although Dazzling colors will make your business card stand out, they will only ruin its presentability. In choosing colors, make sure that they will not contrast or distract the company logo and the information contained in the card.

  • 5. Include all of your contact details. 

A business card should contain all your information: name, address, title, contact number, and signature. If there’s still enough space, you can put the company name, logo, and website. These are the essential details that should be included in the card, making it simple yet professional.

  • 6. Ensure that there are no errors in the information.

Before printing your cards, make sure the details are correct and updated. Misspelled words will bring a bad reputation to you and your venture. Also, avoid writing something on the back just because you want to save a few dollars. 

Meanwhile, here are some of the things to remember in giving your business cards:

  • 1. Always have your business cards with you.

Do not forget to bring your business cards wherever you are. Put some on your bag, car, or your desk, and place them in a presentable holder. Whether you are in a client meeting, business conference, or going out casually, always bring it. Potential clients and business partners are always around the corner.

  • 2. There is proper timing in giving your business card.

When you present your card too early in a conversation, it will create an impression that you are too pushy. However, giving it too late (or forgetting altogether) will make you look irresponsible and unreliable. Before giving your card, you must build your rapport first, and wait for a natural point in the conversation to exchange contact information. When you give someone your card, hand it to them with the information in their direction. And when they give their card to you, show interest in it before putting it away.