Customer Reviews

Here's My Card: How to Network Using Your Business Card to Actually Create More Business

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Popyk asserts that "Business cards are a start [toward developing a "golden database"]. Personal linking is what makes things happen. If there's no follow-through, nothing happens. That's what this book is really all about." Frankly, until reading it, I really hadn't given sufficient consideration to the potential use of business cards. Of course, I already knew that they are (in Popyk's words) "people linkers" which can be used for "networking, schmoozing, connecting, reaching out, prospecting, selling, and basic advertising." All of us already know that. The great value of Popyk's book is that it reveals all manner of other ways by which business cards can be uniquely and abundantly effective. He shares his observations and suggestions in 97 brief but informative chapters which are organized within three Parts:

Networking Know-How and Business-Card Savvy

Personalized Presentations

Creative Design...It's All in the Cards

The book is exceptionally well-written. There is almost nothing hypothetical or theoretical about Popyk's suggestions. All of his key points are anchored in real-world situations. One of the major value-added benefits is the fact that, once you read his book and re-think your strategies while having someone re-design your business card, you begin to see how essentially the same principles can also be applied to marketing initiatives which create or increase demand for whatever you offer for sale. These same principles can also be of substantial value to the cultivation/solicitation process, especially when there is a lengthy sales cycle and the competition is ferocious. In such a competitive environment in which creating a "circle of leverage" is essential, the business card can be invaluable.

Individuals as well as organizations must constantly differentiate themselves from so many other options. Massive research reveals that, in face-to-face encounters, body language and tone of voice determine 75-80% of our impact, with what we actually say ranking a distant third in importance. A business card can do so much to reinforce positive first impressions. What it looks like and (yes) what it feels like are often more important than the information provided. Time and thought are required to ensure that the card is also appropriate. (Check out Chapter 95 in which Popyk identifies and discusses "The Best Cards to Go to for Examples." ) With all due respect to positive first impressions (which certainly ARE important), then what? Will the material left behind be equally impressive? Will your card be indicative of your style, grace, class, etc.? It will indeed. If there is nothing distinctive about your card, chances are that that will be the "message" it conveys about you.

After reading this book, I had only one regret: That I had not read it before I ordered my first box of business cards many years ago. (I don't even want to think about all the other business cards I have since ordered for myself and my associates.) But to repeat, what Popyk shares has possible applications in virtually all areas of any business operation. Properly designed and produced, a business card can be a "miniature billboard" on display wherever an organization's employees go. (All employees in every organization should have a business card. All of them.) That same card can also be a constant reminder to those employees of their organization's positive values. The cost of a properly designed and produced business card is relatively insignificant. How about the cost of a cheesy business card? If you now carry one, you really don't want to know.

You are trying to start a business, you meet people and give them your business card, you get no responses. You are looking for a new job, you hand your card and no response. Doing something wrong? After reading Here's My Card there may be a lot you're doing wrong.

Bob Popyk has given you a great way to meet new people, communicate ideas and get your name out there for others to notice, and it all starts with the business card. Popyk has over 35 years in sales and knows what it takes to get ahead, now he gives his ideas and tricks to you.

Follow along and you'll finds ways to network your business, get more referrals, more customers and increased sales, all this without the use of computers. You business card or people linker as the book refers, will help give you the quality of life you have always dreamed of.

This is not a once read and do book, this is a read over and over and practice book. From Networking know how to personalized presentations to the design of the card, it's all here and waiting for you. The cost is minimal compared to the possibility of what you gain.

Eighty percent of this book is focused on blue collar trades and sales. If you're a plumber, own a small restaurant, or sell cars for a living, this book is primarily for you. The other twenty percent is helpful to white collar professionals (doctors, attorneys, accountants, realtors, etc.). The key is to know which parts apply because inapplicable segments could actually hurt your business if used.

Popyk primarily views business cards as a direct marketing piece, including attaching lottery tickets, coupons, stickers, etc. Repeated phone calls to card recipients who don't respond to voice mail messages is also encouraged in some instances under the theory that persistency pays off. He also recommends taking your card back after you've given it to a prospect who has turned cold. This might work in sales. Most professionals would lose clients applying these tactics.

In contrast to Popyk, Bob Burg's "Endless Referrals" is based on the premise that business cards are given primarily as a means to obtain the other person's business card as part of networking. I've found this approach more realistic as an attorney. For professional networking, Keith Ferrazzi's "Never Eat Alone" is simply the best in print.

That being said, I recommend Popyk's book for everyone. Use what applies and ignore the rest. Just a couple of his ideas applied to your business will provide a handsome return on investment.

In some sense if you read Popyk's columns about selling, you may already know the vast majority of the information in this book: his Acknowledgments section notes that his readers and those who have heard him speak have contributed to the ideas included.

The 97 chapters are very short, at times a bit repetitive, and are aimed primarily at people in the various types of sales (whether services or products). One of the main objectives of the book is to provide ideas on how to make you (and your business card) memorable to the people you meet. The second main point is about follow-up. Most of the remainder of the content is about how to design your own business card.

I enjoyed reading this ... folded down a few page corners, and highlighted a few things. So while some of the advice is 'obvious', at least here its collected all in one place for future reference!

I read this book. It was exactly what I was looking for. How to get more business using my business cards. No stupid studies, graphs, charts or scientific BS. Just things to do to find customers, build business, and get my name out there. If you can't find a few ideas to put to use, you shouldn't be in business. I liked this book so much I ordered a few more as gifts. Gave one to my boss. He held it up at a sales meeting and said everyone should read it. Mentioning that it came from me didn't hurt. I am glad I took the advice of the other postive reviewers of this book! Get one for yourself!

Bob Popyk is an old "telephone friend," meaning we've never met in person, but he's bought/recommended my "The Closers" sales training books, etc. for many years and visa versa (for his material) . . . and we've had dozens of really good conversations (he's an honest-to-goodness "sales pro"!).

But when he sent me "Here's My Card," I thought to myself, "Well, I'll read enough so I can at least discuss it with him when he asks." Boy, was I wrong!

After all these years (40+ and counting), and having made literally millions and millions of dollars in professional selling, I still thought that business cards were just something you gave to someone when you were too lazy to write down your phone number for them . . . or when you wanted to impress them with your title (that was my usually favorite part!).

Now listen up! After reading Bob's book (cover-to-cover, several times), I began to look at business cards - and later, postcards - in an entirely new light!

Here are just a few changes we made: We now put a "sticky business card" (peel off the back) on the first page of every book (hundreds of thousands a year!); the same exact card is now the "return address" on every package we ship; we stick one on every invoice/statement/letter we send out; and at least one goes on every single product we ship (more, sometimes!).

And in my sales training seminars, the attendees find a regular business card right in front of them when they sit down . . . plus I give them an exciting incentive for them to give me theirs!

On top of all that (and the many many other suggestions Bob gives us in "Here's My Card"), if I meet you personally and you so much as burp, you'll here me say, "Here's my card!".

In fact, a joke in our little town (Placerville, California) is, "No thank you, Mr. Gay. I already have several!" . . . even though I don't accept local clients, nor give speeches/seminars within 50 miles of home!

How many cards do I distribute? Since I read "Here's My Card," probably 250,000+ a year, though I really haven't kept count.

What's been the effect? Astounding! For instance, just since we started putting the "sticky back" versions in my books, our sales have steadily climbed . . . month after month after month! - for five plus years as of today! God bless you, Bob Popyk!

Note: You may have noticed that all of my book reviews carry "5 Star" ratings (*****). But that's not the sign of a "soft reviewer." I only review books to which I can honestly give a "5 Star" rating. You may assume, therefore, that any sales training/self-improvement book without my "5 Star" rating is something less than "5 Star," or I simply haven't gotten to it yet . . . and there are certainly plenty of those!

I write a column for a number of trade and business publications. Recently I reviewed this book and gave it an excellent rating. Whether you've been in business for a long time, or are just starting out, one good idea put to use could increase your business nicely. Not every idea is for everybody. Some are clever. Some are creative. Some are just plain fun. Some take some planning, and some you can just put to use right away. If you don't already have a great card, skip to the back chapters, design your card, and then the author will tell you how to creatively network with it. This book is inexpensive, easy to read, and a lot of the ideas are something probably everyone in business forgets to do, one time or another. Great for reference, or just sharing with your business colleagues. I liked it.

If you are looking for some good ideas on using your business card to find (or stay in touch with) customers, this is a perfect book for your library. It's a fun read, and you'll probably think over and over "why didn't I think of that?" However, if you know everything there is to know about selling (or think you do), this book probably is not for you. For the small amount of money this book costs, you'll get the price of the book back many times if you just put one or two of the ideas to use. In that respect, it's a real bargain. I saw the positive review the Washington Post gave this book. It certainly lived up to my expectations. I liked it.

I don't know what I was expecting, but more clients and a customer list is important to me and this book was a real eye-opener. The thing with the stapler and business cards (I don't want to give it away) is priceless and costs nothing to do. Networking no-how at it's absolute best. I am getting this book to give away to my clients. It's a real kick.

We are an independent insurance agency with over 20 agents. This book is perfect for anyone who does prospecting, networking, or needs to find clients/customers on their own. This is invaluable information everyone should know and utilize...and it's really easy to read!