Five Reasons You Should Have a Business Card

With so many businesses communicating digitally, business cards may seem old fashioned. Many tech-savvy professionals will want to plug your information into their Blackberry or iPhone, but the fact of the matter is cards are still an essential part of networking and marketing. The face-to-face process of exchanging business cards is still a necessary and viable part of the networking process. Abandoning the business card would be like abandoning regular mail in favor of only using email, or only using your phone to text. Here are five good reasons (and one silly) to keep cards in your business arsenal.
1. Good First Impressions - A well-crafted, individualized business card can speak volumes about you and your business. Traditional cards with quality inks and paper will always make a good first impression, especially with more conservative clients. But non-traditional cards are more and more popular. Many business people see their cards as an opportunity to reflect their creativity through color and design. For instance, a technology company might choose a design that is sleek and modern, perhaps on a plastic as opposed to paper stock; a wedding planner may prefer a more romantic style with a floral accent in a soft color. Just be sure to keep the size fairly standard. Your card still needs to fit in the rolodex!
2. Convenience - You never know when you'll meet someone who could turn into a client or customer. Keeping cards on hand means you won't have to borrow a pen and write your information on an old grocery receipt. Not only do you appear more organized, but the person who receives your card is less likely to accidentally throw away your information.
3. Professionalism - Not everyone is connected and willing to look you up online or in the phone book. It shows respect for others that you provide them with an easy way to keep your contact information.
4. Marketing - Today, many people choose to put more information on their business cards than just contact numbers. A mission statement, business tips, certifications, etc. can help contacts remember who you are and what you do, especially if you meet during a busy networking event. Many business people feel that the back of your card is usable space, a good spot for a memorable marketing message.
5. Referrals - If you have a good business relationship with a vendor or service provider, give them some of your cards and ask for theirs. How many times have you been asked to refer someone to a good vendor, but you can't remember their contact information? Keeping a few of their cards encourages them to do the same for you.
6. Fish Bowl Drawings - If you don't have a business card, you can't participate in the drawings run by so many restaurants and other businesses. Who doesn't want a free lunch?
Take the time to sit down with a printer and design a card that works for you and your business. Consider who your cards are intended to reach, and the type of response you want to evoke. Do you want your card to reflect your creativity? Try interesting folds or edges, colors, layout, and copy. Are you in a more conservative business? Go for a beautiful, readable font on heavy card stock with raised print. Many industries encourage you to put your picture on your card to help with brand-building and recognition; if you do, make sure it is professional and up-to-date.
Business cards are by no means a thing of the past. Today's professionals view cards as one more way to connect with colleagues, make new connections, and add to their marketing plan.

Getting Back to Basics With Offline Networking

In many ways, the Internet is the networking arena for the 21st century. From websites to social media, email marketing and pay per click, it seems the place for marketing is on the net. At the heart of the online campaign is the simple tweet or email. But if companies think they can get away with just networking online they are making quite a drastic mistake. For many businesses they are seduced by the web and placed in a false sense of security. Without a powerful offline networking approach - campaigns are likely to just collapse. I think it is time to get back to basics and keep our offline networking tools well-tuned too. These tools are advancing too - and one of those is business card printing.
Plastic business cards, one of the most cost effective tools, can enhance your brand, contacts, communications, and referrals and lead to the next prospective sale months after meeting your lead. And where a tweet has a shelf life of about ten minutes or less, that's definitely something to think about.
Getting back to basics
There is always a need for face to face contacts; business to business negotiations and referrals, and especially directly with the prospective customer. No email or tweet can take the place of the trust initiated by human contact. In order for an organisation or individual to promote themselves, their brand or products and services, there will always be a need for human contact. So what is the key to enhancing your brand offline and generating the next lead? I believe one of the most powerful tools in the hands of today's businessmen is so easily taken for granted - the simple plastic business card.
Why Plastic business cards?
They have been around for a long time. They allow the businessman to make a pitch and leave essential contact information behind with a prospective client, thus ensuring all the effort he has made does not disappear as soon as he leaves the building. When networking, the manager knows he can leave all the relevant information he needs with a new contact by offering his professionally made brand tool.
The point is more about how long that card will survive. Cardboard business cards tend to get bent and deteriorate. Very soon they will be lying at the bottom of a waste paper basket. A plastic business card is more durable. It will not bend or tear (unless you go out of your way to really snap it) and, with the advancement in business card printing, designs can be really attractive and modern - which means it is likely to remain in the memory for longer and remain in a place where it can be seen for a greater period.

Online Affiliate Marketing

It is a fact of life that everyone has to earn a living, even the richest people all around the world work day in and day out with their multi-million businesses. Work is in the normal ecology of things that it would be impossible for anyone to just stay at home and do nothing. But, in modern times that the internet and technology have brought convenience at the top of its game, it is no longer impossible to work in the comforts of your own home, by just having a computer and a good internet connection. The internet has become a universe of its own where what people do in the real world can be done virtually. Even the business sector shifted marketing efforts online from the traditional media. Online affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based advertising method that businesses do to get them known as well as give business to independent owners of the website.
It is easy to put up a website and get it running for people to see, and there are moneymaking opportunities if you sign up for online affiliate marketing. The more you get to promote a business through the content of your website; you can get commissions either based on a sale made, directed traffic or turning a random visitor into a business lead. Earning potential is greatly high on affiliate marketing, like Empower Network, one of the best affiliate programs to date; they pay their affiliate sites from $25 to $4,625 per sale and up to a possibility of a 100% commission. But, how do you prepare to become a publisher for a merchant site, and assure that both you and the business will earn and not waste time and effort? Here are some things to consider:

1. If your knowledge about online affiliate marketing is equal to a cat's knowledge about astrophysics then you need to get your resources ready. Get the right kind of training that will arm you with all information that needs to be known. Never go into a business venture when the only things you know are what you heard. You would never go bungee jumping unless you know how the cable is tied right? Some online marketing programs like Empower Network are one of those companies that provide good training. Be wise and don't leave anything to chance. Read books, research online and watch videos on what the experts have to say.


2. Upon conceptualizing your website, create a layout that will give you enough space for whatever you are advertising and to where you will display your content. No one likes to read much as well visit a website that is disorganized and one that looks like an ad catalog. Affiliate programs will also look into this to consider whether or not you could be a viable publisher. The more you take time to create a perfect space that's easy on the eyes, the more people will take notice of your material.


3. Target a specific topic or concept for your online space. How organized your space looks is as equally important as how organized your content is. Consistency and cohesiveness will attract a certain kind of audience. If this is properly identified, affiliate marketing brands or products relating to that will be more specific and target driven.

Online affiliate marketing could be your kind of tea as long as you know the right kind of scones to complement it with. You can even earn more than what you may possibly earn from your average day job and that could be your reality. Imagine the time you can spend more with your kids or on your other interests if you are making a living on your own allowable time frame and not a rigid 9 to 5 work schedule.

Click Bank Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Marketing has became a popular concept with individuals as well as with small and medium sized businesses. Nowadays internet has become a source of income now, and not just a medium or platform for communication. And all this has been possible because of the concepts of internet and affiliate marketing programs.
There are a variety of  marketing programs available over the internet. These programs are shared between two or more websites in a manner that they share the revenue for selling or promoting a particular product or service. This is done on the basis of mechanisms such as pay-per-click or SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). Every time a person clicks on an online advertisement, the cookies get stored in his/her computer. These cookies can then be tracked down to have detailed statistics of how many clicks occurred and what is the share of commission per person or per website for helping with the sales or promotion.
ClickBank happens to be one of the most reliable as well as renowned names in the world of affiliate marketing. They have special programs depending on how long you want to be in this field. For serious ones, there are long term projects or programs that make them earn good 6 figure incomes! And for those who just want try out the system, there are smaller programs with reasonable benefits. There are also special tutorials along with live help for people, so that those who are new to these programs can be guided properly. Overall, it has been discovered that ClickBank affiliate marketing programs are quite simple and beneficial and easy to start with. Besides, there is a transparency of things maintained with detailed statistics coming out every day.

Shop at Online Stores

As the season changes, everyone wants to get out and buy cool clothes and dresses. Some prefer to go shopping with friends at all the trendy stores. A new season means a new wardrobe and a whole new line up clothes. While nothing beats the fun of hunting for a dress or the perfect pair of shoes with a friend, you can now do this more comfortably. I am, of course, talking about the vast array of online stores that have cropped up to cater to your every need.
Reason 1: Online stores come in all shapes and sizes, virtually speaking. They may cater to a particular type of shopper, or they may sell a wide variety of clothes and accessories. That is not the only purpose of online stores. At these websites you can find a lot of useful information about the latest trends. What is in this season? And what is out? You can find the answers to all these questions and more at these stores.
Reason 2: Online stores are not just places for women shoppers. Most stores have a separate section for men. The kid's section is also worth taking a peek at if you are looking for some new clothes for your toddler. In fact, the wide range of selections available often makes decisions a lot harder, but no less fun. Online stores make the shopping experience much easier and hassle-free. If you are not comfortable with the price tag of an item, you can simply look elsewhere. The World Wide Web is a big place, which means that there are countless places to shop. However, the best stores offer high quality dresses and accessories at affordable prices. Once you find a good online store, you should stick with it.
Reason 3: Do you know what is in style this season? You are sure to find all the trendiest clothes online. You can buy dresses online, and have them shipped right to your home. Many online stores even offer free shipping within the United States. The important thing to remember when shopping online is to keep an open mind and lots of available time on your hands. Most online stores stock more items than any of your local clothing stores. It is easy to get lost in a mire of fashionable clothes, accessories, and shoes. If you want to save time, then stick to the items you absolutely need and leave random browsing for a later time.

Shopping Online Is Convenient And Economical

Online shopping has emerged as a boon for shopaholics, as they no more require making rounds across the physical stores just to purchase their basic necessities. Now, you can purchase almost anything with a single mouse click over the Internet. Shopping is an important activity, which you can't overlook. You need to go to the market every now and then to purchase your fashion and lifestyle essentials. People are shopping more over the Internet as compared to earlier days, as e-commerce sites now offer ample variety and secure shopping experience for their customers. There are many advantages of online shopping and one of them is saving more money through discount coupons and sign up vouchers. The matchless convenience offered by these e-stores compels more buyers to shop online. You can shop anytime online, as these e-retails stores remain open 24x7. You would find everything on the Internet, whether you're looking for a book, gadget, clothing, footwear, and other lifestyle products. According to a survey, clothes are purchased more online as compared to other things. If you're also thinking of purchasing the latest clothing item online, here are some tips with which you can save more:
Compare prices: As there are numerous online stores available, you can always save more money by doing price comparisons. For easy price comparisons, you can also take the help of aggregator sites. You just need to type your product in the search bar and once you hit enter, you'll get the matching results on your computer screen from various sites with prices. It makes it easier for you to determine the price of the same product offered by different sites. Choose the e-store that offers you the best deal.
Avail the facility of free shipping for your order: Search the reputed e-stores that offer free shipping for all your purchase orders. Getting your product delivered at your doorsteps, without any extra charges, would help you save more every time you shop online. Most of the e-shops offer the facility of free shipping to engage more customers.
Discounts and sign-up vouchers: Many e-shops provide free points to the first time users. You just need to get registered with a particular site and you will receive the sign-up voucher in your mail. You can redeem these points while purchasing anything above a particular amount mentioned in the voucher. So, you can save more with a simple registration process. Most of the e-retailers offer added discounts on the majority of products. So, you can always take the advantage of these seasonal or weekend discounts while shopping online.
These are a few ways to save more while shopping online. You can also find some other options for saving money while shopping online, such as, discount coupon codes and other such schemes. Choose a trustworthy vendor to purchase anything online. Whether you're purchasing an expensive gadget or jump suit online, follow the above listed steps to make the best value of your money.

The author of this article is an expert on the latest trends pertaining to clothes for women. She used to be an assistant stylist with a reputed fashion house. Here she writes about ways with which you can save money while shopping online.

Affiliate Marketing Program

As everyone earning online knows, there are lucrative ways to earn cash on the internet. The cyberspace is like a bag of goods for those who know where to set their sights on. Affiliate marketing programs are one of the most coveted goods in the loot bag. A lot of personal website owners as well as merchant websites are turning to affiliate marketing to earn money and to advertise and spread the word about their products and services, accordingly.
To comprehend fully this method of marketing, you as a publisher can generate income if you provide either traffic, sales or leads for the merchant. In an affiliate marketing program, there are 3 sides to the equation; the merchant site running the affiliate program, you as publisher earning from it and the customers. At most times affiliate marketing is often overlapped with simple display advertising but affiliate marketing is extremely performance based, it follows a much complex tier of website activity. A merchant and an affiliate site can come into three different kinds of contract on how a publisher site can make money. From Pay-per-Click, Pay-per-Sale or Pay-per-Lead the income you earn will depend on whether your commission is based on a percentage or on a fixed rate. Empower Network known to be one of the leading affiliate marketing programs are famous for the amount of commission they give their affiliate sites. For each sale made, commissions can range from $25 to $4,625 to a point that Empower Network would even give out 100% commission.
With running your personal site, know that affiliate programs will also target those prospective publishers that are focused on a niche. Basically merchant sites will only consider you as a partner or affiliate if in ways they can see that your content has a sensible connection to whatever products they are promoting. These affiliate programs will also want to identify a target audience and that there is a greater probability that your readers will eventually click through their links.
Payments made on affiliate marketing program are done in two levels. First, you get your payments or commissions like in a network marketing scheme through the sales or through the people you direct to them. At the same time, some programs offer more flexibility to earn, if a customer had done repetitive transactions with the merchant site and that customer was referred from your site then you get commissions from every sale made.
Just be sure that the movement and the activity on your site are well administered and managed that everything is correctly taken accounted for. You want to be assured that whatever activity is made are paid for accordingly and through this your business relationship with the program provider is strengthened.
So, now that you know the basics of how affiliate marketing programs works, you can start earning money both online and offline on your spare time. You do not need to revolve your life and time for it to be successful, just like what Empower Network, it's all about running a business while having a life.