Using all the real estate on a business cards.
Chances are you have a stack of business cards sitting on desk. No not your business cards, other peoples’ business cards. Now what I want you to do is thumb threw them, but only look at the backside of them.
How many of them have no printing on the back? I’m going to guess and say 50%. The remaining 50% probably have some silly branding on them. While this is good for corporate America, its not good for you the micro business owner.
You don’t have branding, your company hasn’t established itself as a brand, yet. Here is the perfect chance to gain some new business with minimal effort. On the back of your card, put “Refer a Friend and Get ‘X’ ”. “X” is something you can give to the referrer that has value or perceived value. You have 2 options when it comes to what you are gong to give to someone for referring you a new customer.
The first option is something that cost you money. You can offer a $20 Starbuck gift card, or something along those lines. If you are going to go down that road, don’t be a cheap and say $5, because $5 doesn’t have much value these days. In fact most of Starbucks menu cost over $5.
The second option is to give the referrer something of perceived value. If you are a service business, give them some sort of free service. Run a cleaning company? Give them 4 hours of free cleaning. Have a lawn care business. Offer up 2 free mowing. Do you run a beauty salon, then give them a free hair cut. Just give them something that has perceived value.
If you are not sure if the offer is a good one, run it by your friends. You can also ask you current customers what the feel is appropriate for a referral. What ever they say, reduce the number by 25%. Customers love free stuff and they will push the envelope.
Do not offer a discount. While a discount is nice, people love the word “free.” Besides, if its free it helps you build your relationship with them. Who is going to pass up a free house cleaning, or drain cleaning…or what ever it is you offer.
If you product or service is a onetime sale, then you will need to offer a gift card or something along those lines.
Moving on to the new client. Again you will want to offer them something free. Discounts create a barrier. Think about it. When you go to buy a car, the dealer doesn’t charge you for a test drive. They hope you are going to fall in love with that car. You want these prospective clients to fall in love with you. Giving them something free, means there is reason for them not to test drive.
No I am only advising you to do this while you are getting your company up and running. Once you have established yourself, then the word of mouth will travel and you will not need to discounting your services.
Chances are you have a stack of business cards sitting on desk. No not your business cards, other peoples’ business cards. Now what I want you to do is thumb threw them, but only look at the backside of them.
How many of them have no printing on the back? I’m going to guess and say 50%. The remaining 50% probably have some silly branding on them. While this is good for corporate America, its not good for you the micro business owner.
You don’t have branding, your company hasn’t established itself as a brand, yet. Here is the perfect chance to gain some new business with minimal effort. On the back of your card, put “Refer a Friend and Get ‘X’ ”. “X” is something you can give to the referrer that has value or perceived value. You have 2 options when it comes to what you are gong to give to someone for referring you a new customer.
The first option is something that cost you money. You can offer a $20 Starbuck gift card, or something along those lines. If you are going to go down that road, don’t be a cheap and say $5, because $5 doesn’t have much value these days. In fact most of Starbucks menu cost over $5.
The second option is to give the referrer something of perceived value. If you are a service business, give them some sort of free service. Run a cleaning company? Give them 4 hours of free cleaning. Have a lawn care business. Offer up 2 free mowing. Do you run a beauty salon, then give them a free hair cut. Just give them something that has perceived value.
If you are not sure if the offer is a good one, run it by your friends. You can also ask you current customers what the feel is appropriate for a referral. What ever they say, reduce the number by 25%. Customers love free stuff and they will push the envelope.
Do not offer a discount. While a discount is nice, people love the word “free.” Besides, if its free it helps you build your relationship with them. Who is going to pass up a free house cleaning, or drain cleaning…or what ever it is you offer.
If you product or service is a onetime sale, then you will need to offer a gift card or something along those lines.
Moving on to the new client. Again you will want to offer them something free. Discounts create a barrier. Think about it. When you go to buy a car, the dealer doesn’t charge you for a test drive. They hope you are going to fall in love with that car. You want these prospective clients to fall in love with you. Giving them something free, means there is reason for them not to test drive.
No I am only advising you to do this while you are getting your company up and running. Once you have established yourself, then the word of mouth will travel and you will not need to discounting your services.