Business Card to Business Blog

Introvert-itudes©: How to Get Noticed in Networking with Your Introvert Strengths by Guest Blogger Patricia Weber

Can you think of someone who you admire in business networking? How about three or four people? And, what characteristics do you find in them that they come to your top of mind? My guess is these better networkers are using some introverted tendencies along the way to the downplaying of some ineffectual extroverted behaviors. 

Beneficial 1: Introverts prefer to help, not always necessarily lead, and can make an advantage of helping by connecting. While my preference, INTJ, is to lead, many introverts like to remain behind the scenes. Everyone networks for similar reasons, to find  –prospective clients, connections to get clients, a job, and resources for work and even personal needs. By leaning into a preference to listen first, an introvert can find opportunities to help other people with the connections they want and any resources they need. 

Ineffectual 1: Few people have a tolerance for the person who wants to connect to always take. Takers range the whole continuum from introvert to extrovert. 

Beneficial 2: Introverts prefer to listen before they start talking and extroverts love talking about themselves anytime! Networking involves both talking and listening. The style of networking that most of us respond positively to is the kind where the other person takes interest in us before they start talking about themselves. Why? Think about it – we are all more interested in ourselves, so if we can make the other person feel important first, by listening to them, then we have better rapport. 

Ineffectual 2: Most of us want to run the other way from the business networker who starts and ends their conversation with you with I, me, my. Sorry but my extrovert friends, you know that is can too often be true for you. 

Beneficial 3: When someone is more introverted in networking, they have a vested interest in seeing that their every minute of networking is getting them closer to meeting both the people they can help and the people who can help them. Because 140 characters online are as draining as working a room in an hour, introverts more consciously discern who is best to further connect with. It’s the best use of time for the connection made. Some consider this knack working your network and people will take notice. 

Ineffectual 3: If all you do is network with 140 characters or work the room in an hour meeting, you’ll get noticed in a not so flattering light. 

Beneficial 4: The highest compliment in networking, when you know you have it right, is when someone gives you a referral. The introvert prefers to keep a relationship bond intact rather than chance an energy leak – having to make yet more connections. Some introverts may find their self-confidence lower than preferable to follow-up. Just realize this strengthens the relationship from the referrer and plan the next moves. Introverts excel at planning. Boost it up with confidence for momentum.

Ineffectual 4: Getting so busy with extroverting actions, like more and more networking, can cause a person to procrastinate on follow-up with referrals given and promises made.

Beneficial 5: Networking is about building, and maintaining, relationships. It takes fewer but deeper relationships to energize an introvert. While typically not into large groups, smaller groups that meet regularly with a focus and purpose in mind – sounds like some networking – are encouraging for an introvert to authentically talk and contribute ideas.

Ineffectual 5: Few people like the schmoozer and fast talker with mostly a self-serving intent.

Regardless of whether you are more introverted or extroverted, most of these beneficial actions or behaviors are more natural for the introvert. For whoever shows these in business networking, there is less of a gag-reflex response to the typical networking behavior, more of a relaxed and in control feeling and people will – take more notice.

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Patricia Weber, Guest Blogger

Patricia is America’s #1 Business Coach for Introverts and the author of the eBook, The Happy and Fulfilled Introvert. She blogs at http://www.patricia-weber.com

I like to blog when I can about interesting business cards I see and interesting people I meet.  A few weeks ago my wife and I enjoyed an very nice gallery event at the art gallery of Nancie King Mertz  at 2036 N. Clark Street in Chicago. While there I picked up a few business cards of Nancie and her husband Ron. What I love is that they feature examples of Nancie’s beautiful artwork on one side of the card and utilize the back side of the card to share a good amount of information about her work and their gallery and frame service Art De Triumph.

For those of you who have read through my blog or my book “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” you know that I favor cards that use the space available as a kind of advertisement. I believe in the case of most entrpreneurs that you should consider your business card no different then you would a small magazine ad.  Additonally when your business involves a product or when your message can benefit from a graphic representation of what you do, you should include a photo or high quality graphic.

In the case of Nancie and Ron’s card the beautiful examples of her work depicting iconic Chicago scenes is a perfect souvenir of my visit to their gallery and perfect reminder of her work and what they offer.  So enjoy the cards but more importantly if you’re in the area stop by and see the work in person. According to the business card they open seven days a week. Now that’s handy information!

Have you ever been given a business card from someone in a bar or other situation who is specifically “coming on to you”?  Have you ever given someone a card under these circumstances?  Whether a giver or receiver, read about this poor business card idea for the socially challenged.

http://www.asylum.com/2010/07/23/cheekd-dating-business-card-website/

By Guest Blogger Yvonne Wu

Businesses are branding their name over the internet. They are building credibility by showcasing their services and being seen as an expert in their chosen field. They are using media such as blogging, ezines, social media, article writing, internet radio advertising, and self published books. 

As businesses expand their connections to a global market they are looking for ways that they can keep in touch with current and potential clients. Email correspondence and social media has become the chosen medium. Gone are tedious long distance charges, time zone restrictions and costly travel.

By working with a Virtual Assistant, a small business or a creative entrepreneur can now take advantage of the knowledge and experience of a marketing expert at a fraction of the cost; thereby giving them an edge over their competition.

Many Virtual Assistants have technical know how and marketing knowledge to promote your business, create a buzz, gain global exposure and market your business online using many of the principals used in viral marketing. The Virtual Assistant can be a one stop shop for many of your business needs.  They are hired on a per-project basis and they work out of there home office. No need to buy office supplies or hire a full time employee.  

Virtual Assistants let you focus on the things that are most important to you – the business aspect – while we handle the rest.

Here are 5 things a virtual assistant can do for you.

 1.  Advertise your services via social media

2. Create ezines and build your mailing list

3. Create sales page to advertise your products/services

4. Assist with putting together spinoff products

5. Setup and maintain your blog, answer comments and post comments.

The YP Publishing provides a wide range of online promotional services for Authors, Speakers and Small Business Owners.

 Find out more at http://theyppublishing.com

Business card printing is an art through which one must project the core business values and aesthetics of a company.

@Hillviewprint

I recently found a nice article at OPENforum written by Erica Swallow ( Twitter @ericaswallow )  pertaining to the inclusion of social media links on your business card. This is a comprehensive article with a number of really good examples, so after you read my summary go ahead and check out the whole thing for yourself at http://bit.ly/aGRACQ .

Erica notes that more and more people are including social media links such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yotube and others on their business cards. After all in web 3 point oh we want to meet people where they are not force them to meet us at the place of our choosing. In other words simply directing people to your website might not be enough. Ask them to meet you where they like to hang out.

As I have said time and again your business card is simply a convenient way to communicate your contact information so include as many points of contacts as it makes sense to do. Do you have images to share? Maybe it makes sense to direct folks to your Flickr account. Showing videos? Maybe your YouTube channel is the place you want them to go.

Curious whether your business cards are driving traffic to your website? I have heard of some people using bit.ly tiny.url or unique domain names that identify the link as coming only from their business card – - interesting approach.

So don’t be anti-social invite your face-to-face contacts to meet you on the web wherever they are most comfortable. After all it is called “social networking”.

Guest Blogger Alan Chumley

Guest Blogger  – - Alan Chumley

Folks chatting or tweeting about social media measurement love to apply cute acronyms or use alliteration to articulate their thinking or their model on how to measure social media.

Generally, I find that approach lacking.  Great for marketing hyperbole, but light on oomph and methodology.

Prime example:
I read a tweet yesterday about the Four Is:

All were ambitiously and interestingly expressed as a return on…

Insight — Interaction — Investment — or Impact.

Okay.  I am feeling the need to break my own rule and reciprocate with the Seven C’s of social media measurement:

C1.  Counting (site and search metrics–all the appropriate stuff we can and should count)
C2.  Content (analysis, that is.  quantity and quality)
C3.  Conversations (as I like to sometimes call them conversationships)
C4.  Cohesion (are folks agreeing with you – -  with each other – - or  more importantly, are they coalescing around a core theme; idea; or call to action?)
C5.  Community
C6.  Connectedness (via network analysis:  how interconnected, interrelated are the highly engaged; the key influencers; the advocates in a conversation?  How centrally located are those highly engaged; key influentialsl; band advocates?  How far and and how fast is the spread?)
7.  Conversion (Or as I like to say “the so what factor”…getting beyond the output and outtake into the output or impact zone. Here I do not strictly mean conversion to a tangible such as  sales – - it could be conversion toward any measurable MarCom or PA/issues/advocacy-based objective.  Hint on method:  have a look at Tealium or Sysomos Audience.

So how do you measure all this?

 Combine several approaches (such as content analysis, search and site metrics, network analysis, primary research), and have those approaches be flexible enough to account for – - prioritize – - weight,  different objectives and campaign types.

Your thoughts? 

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Alan Chumley has twelve years experience in corporate communication / measurement industry including senior-level, in-house corporate communications roles for leading blue chip organizations such as Bell Canada,  as the Director of Measurement  for Hill & Knowlton, and Vice President at Cormex Media Content Analysis.       

Alan holds an M.A. in communication and culture with research focusing on media effects and uses, audience analysis, reception studies and best practices in PR management and measurement.

In addition to being an adjunct instructor (of research and measurement) at two universities in Canada, Alan is a frequent industry speaker, blogger and tweeter.  

Follow Alam on Twitter @alanchumley

Kevin Daum, Author

Kevin Daum – Guest Blogger 

During these tough times, being good or great is no longer good enough; you have to be awesome. When clients don’t sign with your company, there must be a reason they didn’t choose you. Sure, we’ll cover it by saying things like…“It’s the economy.”  Or “Their situation changed,” but they did move forward with somebody right?! More likely you just didn’t connect in a meaningful, compelling manner and your competition did. Perhaps you didn’t know how to say the right things to the right people in the right way. Or worse, you didn’t recognize that they weren’t all that interested before investing your resources. 

Most of us in these situations show up and throw up all the reasons why people should take what we have to offer without ever considering whether or not our product, service or idea actually benefits the particular, immediate pain suffered by the prospect. Partly of course because we believe that everyone needs what we have to offer. So how can you more effectively make a memorable connection with potential clients?

Establishing Compelling Messaging is the first step to successful promotional efforts. You have to establish empathy by identifying their pain. It lets the buyer know you get them.  Then you can provide an objective solution (too early to sell them just yet). Then once they trust your understanding of their problem, you have to clearly differentiate yourself. 

• Empathy – What is the pain your business will solve? It’s not about what you want, it’s about what they need, whether it’s potential investors or customers.
• Objectivity – Why try and force yourself into a situation where your business venture clearly will not fit.  Be objective about what works and what doesn’t. 
• Differentiation – There are lots of people with smart ideas. What makes yours different and unique? Unfortunately, great service and experience aren’t true differentiators since your competitors say the same thing.

ROAR Get Heard in the Sales and Marketing Jungle

You have gone to a lot of trouble to create an awesome solution and bring it to your customer.  Don’t waste your efforts!  Approach the opportunity by making it about them and you’ll likely find a client ready to let you solve their problem.

 Kevin Daum is the Author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller ROAR! Get Heard in the Sales and Marketing Jungle and the national columnist for Smart Business Magazine.  He can be found at www.KevinDaum.com

By Nina Interlandi Bell – Guest Blogger

As a graphic and web designer, I think a lot about presentation. I believe that first impressions are important, and that little things can provide clues to potential contacts about your personality and how you do business. Little things like business cards can say a lot about your attention to detail, your ability to recognize the value of good design, and even how “plugged in” you are to current trends. I’m not saying that your precious 2″ x 3.5″s are the end all be all of your networking skills, but I absolutely believe that a well designed card can make you stand out from the pack.

Important as the design itself is, textural paper and print quality are perhaps even more interesting. Human fingertips are the second most sensitive parts of the body (after the tongue, but I don’t think you want people licking your cards), so why not give people a little something extra to lodge in their sense memories? I specialize in letterpress printing, so I must admit I’m somewhat biased when it comes to texture. The first time I felt my letterpress printed wedding invitations several years ago, the words deliciously sunken into the paper, I was sold. I have actually watched people stand at a networking event for a half an hour as we chatted, running their hands over and over my cards in sort of a trance. My cards immediately present a discussion topic, even to people who wouldn’t normally take any notice of print material. Things get even more interesting when I tell them that some of the paper is recycled from my junk mail or made from post-consumer cotton fabric, the inks are vegetable based, and my printing process is eco-friendly. I’ve had people tell me they like to keep my cards around because they’re like miniature works of art.

Letterpress printing has been around since about 1400, and was the primary method for the print industry until it was replaced by offset in the early 20th century. The presses themselves, giant behemoths made of cast iron and gears, aren’t even made anymore. It’s a matter of will and determination to find them, restore them, learn to print with them, and maintain them. The results, however, are definitely worth the effort. For each print I do, a plate is inked with rollers, the paper is placed by hand into the press, cranked to imprint against the image, and then trimmed to size. If a print requires more than one color, the press is cleaned, re-inked, and another pass is done using the same piece of paper. The result is a much more tactile experience. When you hold a letterpress business card in your hand, you can feel the impression the artwork has made into the paper. It feels like something special. Not just any paper receives a deep impression well, so letterpress pieces are frequently printed on exceptionally thick, soft stocks.

The bottom line is, if you’ve found a way to get people looking at your business card and remembering you more than the other guy, you should take advantage of it. I’m not talking about a funny shaped card that can be awkward, a cheeseburger scented card, or giant neon popout print. A subtle texture, impressive use of negative space, and a sensuous cotton paper are sometimes all it takes to get someone’s attention. Letterpress printing isn’t the only option, but a good design and proper print choices are essential. I find that the people I enjoy doing business with the most are the ones who are really good at what they do, and can also recognize when it’s time to pay someone else for their expertise in another area. I’d never try to give myself brain surgery just to save a couple bucks, so don’t try and kludge together a clip art design on perforated cards from your office laser printer instead of consulting a professional. Good design is worth every penny, and you shouldn’t leave home without it.

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Nina Interlandi Bell
Tweedle Press, Chicago, IL
Using earth-happy materials to create stylish, unique paper goods: a full-service design, papermaking, and letterpress print shop. Yay!

Letterpress + Paper Shop: www.tweedlepress.com
Pulp & Press Blog: www.pulpandpress.com
Sustainability Blog: www.underthewildroseasweasels.com

I just visited a blog that was touting the virtues of virtual business cards and predicting the ultimate demise of the printed business card. This is an old story and I have not seen it happen yet. Virtual cards are a great idea and I look forward to them being a mainstream solution, but I continue to caution that new technology does not neccessarily have to replace old technology. Virtual and printed cards can co-exist.

Business Cards are Dead

One complaint I have heard refers to those who have stacks of cards or hundreds of cards in a box collected over a period of months or years. HELLO!! There is no need to keep someone’s card forever. The primary purpose of a business card is simply to transfer contact information that may be pertinent now or in the short term. If you look at a card and don’t remember the person – - where you met – - or sadly what product or service he or she offers – - throw it out. It has outlived it’s usefulness.

If you are a giver of a card. Consider that this is an opportunity to be sure that the recipient has your important contact information and that he or she might be reminded of you or your service over a period of a few days or maybe a few months if they keep your card. If you are a recipient of a card, this is a handy device to help you keep and refer to contact information from someone you have met. Keep it as long as there is a chance that you might want to contact that person sometime. As long as it has value as a potential resource for you.

Just as unused business cards sit on your desk so will unused virtual cards sit in your PDA, phone or computer. Don’t shoot the messenger. It’s not the business card virtual or physical that is at fault, it is likely the lack of a clear message or the very real reality that you have no need for that particular product or service.

Business cards are a courtesy. Offer them graciously and accept them graciously. There are no strings attached. There is no obligation inferred in the presentation nor any commitment in their acceptance. However if you do decide you want to contact someone they’re darn handy to have.