Business cards are made to present your business. Many people ask how to use them, where to put them. It depends on your business type, how much you can spend for business cards, how much you pay for them. You can find business cards which cost $80 for 500 cards. Or you can make and print it by yourself then the price would by very small. In this article I present idea that we are going to spread our business cards everywhere.
1. Make it special. This means that you have to make your card more important to people. Here is few advices how you can do that using back side.
- Write with your hand your special number which isn’t in the list. It will make people to keep it longer.
- You can print discount coupon on it. People love discounts and I guarantee that your card would not be thrown.
- Print some interesting phrases or good joke. You are making seminars print main ideas of it that people could always remember your seminar.
- Put a sport tournament schedule. Fans will love it and keep them.
2. Put them everywhere.
- Put them to all of your products. For example if you deliver cosmetic put one in basket. Do the same with flowers, gift baskets, pizza box. I think you understood.
- Put them to all your correspondence. When you write letter put one, when you send invoice put one even when you pay electric bill put one. There is chance that your card reach potential client.
- Scan in and save in computer. Give them to all your Internet partners. They can use it like advertisement graphic.
- Use them like bookmarks. Go to library and put some in books. Also you can ask librarian to put in all outgoing books. Meet bookstores assistants ask if is it possible to place your cards in books.
- There is a good advice for a small thank you gift. Buy some not expensive business cards holders and put one of yours in it.
- Put one in seasonal gifts. If like to send Christmas sandy boxes, Valentine’s Day candies or gift always put one of your cards.
This was part A of this article. Look for part B with more answer in my article list.
Archive
For March, 2011
Small businesses are constantly faced with problems before they can claim success. However, the difference between a well run business and one that is not is how they tackle their problems. They can often be faced with financial problems. Since business has its good and challenging months you may be swamped with bills when the tough months come. There are wages, rent etc to be paid and you don’t know where to get the money. It is therefore advisable to always have an emergency account that can cushion you through the tough months.
Incompetent employees are yet another problem faced by small businesses. In comparison to larger companies, small businesses have a high employee turnover. It is always a real challenge for the business owners to get reliable and trustworthy employees. You may have employees who lie to customers about specific products or services for their own selfish gain. Unfortunately it is you who will end up “looking bad.”
Customers can also be a source of problems for the small business. This is because sometimes you could have an in house problem like the office machinery lets you down and you cannot give your customer the service they require. Many customers get easily irritated and may think you cannot effectively run your business. They may even ask for their money back.
You can also be faced with problems if your suppliers do not deliver on time or as agreed on. This can be really frustrating and nerve racking especially if it is an order that is being waited for. Your family can also be a part of the problem especially if they are not willing to understand why you work so hard or late. They may begin to feel that they are secondary in your life. It is even difficult to go on vacation because you are constantly “on call”. You should be ready to make sacrifices if you want to succeed in your business.
Government grants can present new lease of life to a business or a start-up entrepreneur desperately trying to sustain his/her business. To avail grants this way for starting a small business or to expand existing businesses is a great opportunity to explore new ideas. The best part about these government grants is that they are free and are good source of finance for small businesses and therefore has a perpetual appeal.
In reality obtaining a government grant for a small business is more of a mission for the Holy Grail, and often full of risks and hazards of officialdom all the way. But these government grants by the Canadian government are easily accessible and take no time to get credited to your account. Unlike any other financial institutional loans, these government grants do not need any credit check and one can be rest assured with the procedures too.
The government grants are generally given out by either local or regional or even national government authorities. These grants generally come from different sources like the industrial bodies, foundations, trusts, and educational establishments. They cater to people who are in desperate need of funds to meet their business as well as other personal commitments.
Finding a government grant for a small business may be difficult at times as the various schemes catering to the small businesses normally have a limited amount of funding. Moreover, these grants are also given within a specific time frame. Hence one must be very specific while applying for these government grants.
You have to be a citizen of Canada to avail these government grants. Other criteria involve the your specific industry and the amount of sponsors the said business is able to gather. As these government grants are region specific you must mention the region you belong to. Depending on the regional availability of the government grants you will be eligible for the grant for your small business. As long as you are resident of Canada you are eligible to apply for such grants for your small business ventures.
Another good thing about these government grants is that they do not have any tax deductions and come absolutely free. However, it is likely that you will not be allowed to use the grants for any purpose other than the purpose for which it has been taken. The most common small businesses for which these grants are taken are Agricultural business like farming or fisheries, increasing overseas exports, investments in machinery for construction of plants, pharmaceutical business, etc. Encouraging investment in economically backward areas and offering assistance for relocation and creation of jobs are also some other criteria of these government grants for small businesses.
If you are looking for some small business grants and fit into the qualifying criteria, this perhaps is the best opportunity to avail some government grants to start your business. The government grant for your small business will depend upon the location of your business, its legal status, and the size. For this you will be expected to produce your business plan to the authority of your province for the approval. Get going now and avail the best source of funds to full fill your business dream.