NETWORKING is a card game where your business will come up trumps.
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Inverell has many networking opportunities for businessmen and women to exchange their cards and eyeball prospective clients.
“Business cards can be a great ice breaker when meeting people,” Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Josh McPhee said.
“They’re also very handy when meeting new people.”
While an emerging generation of entrepreneurs use digital technology to network, business cards are a practical and convenient way to introduce yourself and create a positive impression.
Here are some tips for creating eye-catching business cards.
- Keep it simple, essential details such as name, business contact details and company logo should appear prominently.
- Use a simple font, such as arial, and keep the text larger than 8 point.
- A picture is worth a thousands words, so an image relating to your business will provide immediate, visual attraction.
- Use thicker paper when printing your business card. Thicker paper tends to give the impression of being more expensive. Don’t use ordinary paper; this immediately gives the impression of cheapness and is also easier to discard.
So you’ve used your business card as an ice breaker and a way of introducing yourself at a business gathering.
Next comes the networking. This is all about relationship building; you need to back up your business card with a firm handshake, smile and eye-to-eye contact.
Most networking opportunities have a definite timeframe, so you need to quickly assess best contacts and how to forge links in a positive, friendly manner.
Scale down the people you approach and after forging a relationship, ensure to keep in regular contact with key people to maintain the value of your business network.
It is often said people are a business’s key asset; networking is all about relationships.
As with all relationships, give before you take. Help and above all, be generous; with time and with yourself.
