Today, we’re going to discuss MLM Business Cards. This is a topic I am VERY passionate and knowledgeable about. I hope to drop some wisdom and enlighten you.
One of the first things new entrepreneurs do is order business cards. They’re excited about their new business venture, so they visit a local print shop or login to VistaPrint.com and order some business cards.
Most new network marketers do the same thing. They join a company and then the first thing they do is order some business cards. It makes sense right? You’re in business, so why wouldn’t you have a business card?
While I respect their initiative, I also realize that most new network marketers don’t know what they don’t know. They actually think someone will join their business because of their business card.
Keep in mind, most people joining our industry have very LITTLE marketing experience. Heck, most traditional business owners have very little marketing experience. As a result, they will create a very BORING and TRADITIONAL business card.
It might include a photo of them, their phone number, the name of their MLM Company, their URL, etc.
Why They Don’t Work
I want to tell you why most business cards don’t work. Once I explain it, you should have an AH HA moment.
Business cards don’t work because they are about YOU and YOUR BUSINESS, not your prospect’s interests.
Your prospect does not care about you. They probably don’t even know you. Instead, they care about themselves. They care about their own problems and are looking for ways to solve their problems. Unless your business card addresses your prospect’s problems, it is useless and ineffective. I think so anyway.
The Purpose of a Business Card
Most people think the purpose of a business card is to hand it to someone else in hopes they will do business with you at some point in the future. Personally, I think that is very risky.
Why? Because most people you give your business card to will never CALL YOU BACK, visit your website or get in touch with you.
Think about it for a minute. How many people have ever handed you their business card? And how many of those people did you actually call back, email, visit their website or do business with? In most cases, the answer is a BIG FAT ZERO!
The real purpose of a business card is to get the other person’s contact information so you can follow-up with them at your own leisure.
Let me say that again so it sinks in.
The real purpose of a business card is to get the other person’s contact information so you can follow-up with them at your own leisure.
The only time I would ever give someone a business card is if they gave me theirs first. And if they gave me their business card, there is no reason to give them mine!
If You’re Set On Having a MLM Business Card
If you’re set on having a MLM Business Card, you must take a different approach. Do not put the name of your company on your business card. Do not include a photo of yourself. Do not say you are an independent distributor.
Instead, make your business card look like a drop card. It should have a headline, a few benefit statements and a call to action. Basically, your MLM Business Card is a marketing message.
It is designed to pique your prospect’s curiosity about what you do, tell them the benefits and let them know how to get more information, so they can make an intelligent decision. You can send people to your capture page or sizzle call.
Collecting Business Cards for Lead Generation
Rather than hand out hundreds of business cards each month, a much better strategy would be to collect business cards.
Ask everyone you meet for their business card. Pick up business cards from local bulletin boards at gas stations, the post office, the library, and the grocery store. Always keep your eyes and ears open for business cards.
As you collect business cards, CONTACT each person. Ask them if they are open to additional income streams or if they have an exit plan for their business. Ask questions to see if they might be interested in your product line or if they are interested in a new career.
Anyone with a business card is a good prospect, especially if they own their own business.
Additional Tips
I really hope you will follow the advice I mentioned above and use a drop card instead of MLM Business Cards. That being said, I know most people are still set in their ways.
If you are set on having your own business card, here are a few tips I suggest.
# 1: High Quality
Do not print your MLM Business Card on your inkjet printer. INVEST in a high quality business card. Spend the extra money. It is worth it. It should be thick, professional looking and present the right image.
Unless you have commercial printing capabilities, do-it-yourself business cards often come across as cheap or second-rate, and that’s not the impression you want to give recipients.
You may be able to save a moderate amount of money and update your information more easily if you print them yourself, but the impact of handing over a homemade business card isn’t the same as cards that are printed professionally.
Source: thebalancesmb.com
# 2: Simple
Simple is better than fancy. Make sure the layout is not cluttered. Make sure it is easy to read. Less is more. Have plenty of white space on it.
# 3: Do Not Say Your Company Name
DO NOT, under any circumstance, say your company name on your business card. EVER. Why? Because once your prospect knows what you do, before they’ve seen a complete presentation, they will run to mother Google and get misinformation. Or even worse, they will sign up with someone else. You want to brand yourself, or your marketing message, not your MLM Company.
# 4: Have Multiple Ways to Contact You
Make sure you have multiple ways for people to contact you. Offer at least three different ways to get in touch with you. Remember, not everyone is computer savvy. People might want to call you, so make sure you include your phone number.
# 5: Be Different & Don’t be Boring
Boring business cards are BORING. You want to be different and stand out from the competition as much as possible.
Whatever you do, you will want to make your business card memorable by including an extra something with it or telling a short significant story when you introduce your business. Stories and a nice attitude are much more likely to be remembered.
Source: lifehack.org
Final Thoughts
There you have it folks. These are my best tips on MLM Business Cards. I really hope you will take note of what I said in this article. Do not do what most network marketers do. Follow the advice in this article and you will do much better. You will get more leads and present yourself the right way.
What are your thoughts about MLM Business Cards? Do you agree or disagree with what I wrote in this post? Leave a comment below to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.
I do love a pretty, glossy, colorful business card, but I agree – with business cards, it is better to receive than to give! I know that a very small percentage of people that I give my business card to will do anything more than stick it in a pocket and forget about it. I also know that I receive a business card myself, I will catalog the contact information, and then follow up each and every means of contact that the card provides. Also, little makes me want a professional’s contact card more than watching them pat their pockets and shrug and say “I must have given my last one away”! Be that person.
Yes, you definitely want to focus on collecting other people’s business cards. This is much better than just handing out a bunch of your own business cards. As you collect cards, have some type of simple filing and follow-up system you can use. Follow-up with each person, preferably with a handwritten note and start to build a relationship with them. It’s time and money well spent.