Sara generates referrals to her business in simple means. This basically costs here few dollars, allows her staff to look good with their family and friends, and can keep her business on top of her customer's mind. This is what she refers to as special discount card. The card is basically designed for use of her staff. Her staff simply writes his or her name on the card and the name of the customer. When given to the customers, they simply need to present the card to get discount on any product or service they avail of.
In essence, the special cards are really just like the business cards. They cost less, but customers can effortlessly keep them in their wallets for a long, long time, in fact long after the staff has left the business. Whenever the need for the products or services comes up, people will easily remember the card and Sara gets the business easily.
The Business Cards and your Staff
Among the underutilized strategy of many business owners is to let their staff promote for them. You have to remember that your staff meets a lot of people everyday who might be interested in your offerings. These people are attractive prospects who in one time or another will purchase your products or services. Remember that business is built on relationships and people are more likely to transact business with people they know.
Actually, a great way to get your staff promote your business and generate more customers is to create compelling and eye-popping business cards. You can even help a business card contest. Just give a prize that your prospects will be interested in, say, cash, big discounts, gift certificate to a first class restaurant, and many others. Tell your staff to tell their friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances about the contest.
What happens now is your staffs that were shy or reluctant in the past to ask for cards might now be encouraged to collect them. For instance, they might ask the friends who attend Sunday school with them to bring their cards the following week. Likewise, they can ask for the cards of people they rub elbows with in clubs or organizations. They might even ask their spouses to gather cards at work.
Of course, when they give cards, your staff will be asked to give theirs in return. This in turn will help build awareness and fuel business. Remember though to create business card templates with attractive designs. Again, business is built on relationships. The simple contest will guarantee that your staff's family, friends, and acquaintances know of your business. And if they are aware of your offerings, chances are they will call you when they need your products or services.
There would be some staff though who would participate in this endeavor, but there are others who won't. Fuel their interest by providing weekly incentive to those who will participate to increase the possibility that everyone will partake in the contest. This will surely prompt even the most hesitant to make effort even it is only minimal.
In the end, the contest will be able to achieve three things. First of all, it creates your mailing list and includes people who are likely to buy your offerings. Second, it facilitates word of mouth marketing which tells people about your business in the least costly way. And third, it motivates your staff to collect contact information on people who are likely to become your
customers.
Author Resource:
Leah Delaney is specializing in writing articles on a printing company. Try to visit this page for more tips about business cards and find the best place for free downloadable business card templates for your different design ideas.