Today I want to concentrate on the considerable marketing power of a good business card. Your business card is one of your very best sources of low cost advertising. Let's find out how to use it to sell TONS of handmade jewelry!

This will probably come in the form of two separate posts over two days since there's so much to cover. The first part will deal with what you should include on your business card, while the second part will show you how to use your business card to increase sales of your handmade jewelry.

Have you taken a good look at your current business card lately? Does it really have impact i.e. does it pack a punch? If not, it's time to take action to get that business card to work harder for you.


Here are some ways to increase the power of business card marketing:

• Always include a photo to give more punch to your card. I have a close up photo of one of my most unusual necklaces on my mine. It's natural for the eye to be drawn to color and the photo can speak volumes about the style of jewelry your design. As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. Be sure that the photo you use is of high quality and appears professional. A substandard photo could work against you in your marketing efforts.

• What is your USP or unique selling proposition? This should be clearly stated on your card in the form of a slogan or statement. When designing this slogan, think of the benefit to the customer. For example, "Jewelry for the Nature Lover in You" if you design jewelry made of natural materials. This tells me exactly what your company is about in one statement.

• Always make an offer on your business card. This is important to get the customer motivated to act now. For example, show this card for a 10% discount on your first order or present this card for a free gift. This technique can be highly effective in increasing your response rate.

• Make sure that you include all relevant contact information such as name, phone number, location, hours website address email address etc. I've actually seen business cards where this information has been omitted.This is a good way to commit sales suicide. People need to know how to reach you quickly and efficiently.

• Consider investing in magnetic business cards. Magnetized business cards are like having tiny little billboards since people will often stick them on their refrigerator to hold papers, newspaper articles etc. Imagine how that card must work overtime! Every time your customer goes for a midnight snack, she is reminded that you sell unique jewelry. She also has your number handy so she can call you immediately without having to look for your number. You may be able to find them locally. If not, you can find them at http://tinyurl.com/ymlwow. I have found them to be well worth the money.

• Always include a final statement that will help your potential customer to act immediately. For example, I have included at the bottom of my business card the statement, "I'd love to design a special piece for you! Call me today." Sometimes a simple statement like this will give the customer the extra nudge she needs to contact you. Give it a try!

Well, that's all for today. Tomorrow we'll talk about how to use your card to triple your jewelry sales!