The customer's decision of their buyer of choice is sometimes a matter of convenience.  Your chances of making a sale today is increased each time a customer has the opportunity to touch your company's name, product affiliation, Web site, email, telephone and fax number.  People still do use a Rolodex for storing and organizing contact information.

There is one simple tool that is a cost effective, non-threating, pro-active tool for successful ongoing sales - in any type of business.

Can you guess what it is?


HINT:  It can become your company's most cost effective advertising medium.

Here it is:

                Business Cards
(Used in more ways than you may think.)

By Ronelle Ingram

Email, voice, Website, telephone contact . . . Who needs a business card in today's electronic world?  

Inside sales people often underestimate the power of the business card.  One of the most under utilized items in a telephone marketing rep's arsenal of selling tools is their business card.

The business card can be as powerful as your database, Web site advertisement, email or voice mail message. 

Your business card allows for an additional mailed follow-up as well as something that can be touched and saved by the customer.  A business card allows you to be within easy reach on the buyer's desk.

Successful sales people require reordering of business cards on a regular basis.  When is the last time you ordered business cards?  The presentation of a business card to customers is a ritual of professional business behavior in our society. 

Just because your meeting was on the phone, there is no excuse for not giving your customer your professional identification.  After the initial telephone conversation, follow-up by mailing a thank you note with your business card.


SHORTCUT TO SALES LEADS

I recently was called by a local restaurant manager seeking information on purchsing a new piece of equipment.  As the end of the conversation, I questioned, "How did you hear about our company?"

"I saw your business card in our monthly drawing fish bowl."  As it turned out, I did not win the free lunch, but this restaurant is now our customer, thanks to my business card.

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NOTE:

Today's issue was written and contributed by Ronelle Ingram (one of my favorite writers). 

Ms. Ingram is a writer, speaker, author of Service with a Smile and is a regular columnist for ENX Magazine and Imaging Spectrum.

Ms. Ingram is the 2008-2009 President of the Business Technology Association.  A UCLA graduate, Ronelle has taught her practical management principles to thousands of office equipment professionals throughout the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.  Her Web site:  http://www.ronelleingram.com/ 


For more information, contact Ronelle at ronellei@msn.com or call 714.744.9032


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