Contrary to popular belief, best use of business cards is not making origami or collecting dust. But, in this article you will find 5 of most effective ways to use your business cards on a daily basis!

When Joe Girard, world's greatest salesman, was selling cars he would frequently go to Detroit Lions football games.

Even though he could afford more expensive seats, he chose to sit in upper deck and whenever Lions scored, he would throw business cards off top deck onto expensive seats below that offered a discount on a new car that was only good following day.

Joe Girard's example leads us to our first point:

1. Be Creative

An instructor at a karate class might hand out business cards at his son's t-ball game that say "First Lesson Free with this card". A pet store owner might give out business cards that have an offer for a free goldfish, or 10% off a purchase over $100.

No matter what your type of business, there is a creative way to get your business cards into hands of buyers.

If you can think of these creative ways before your competition does, you are one step ahead, and you will see increase in business.

2. Remember 1 to 1 ratio

The 1 to 1 ratio is easiest formula you'll ever need to know. If you talk to someone for more than 1 minute, they should have 1 of your business cards in their hand. That is 1 to 1 ratio.

Basically that means that you need to find a way to talk about what you do, and get your business card in their hand within first minute of conversation.

Think of it as an elevator conversation. This prospect will be getting off of your elevator soon, so you have a short time to get that business card into their hand.

3. Make them keepers

Once you have your business card in hand of your potential prospects, what is going to make them keep it?

Making every penny count…. By Lawrence Groves- July 2005

More and more workers are leaving their jobs and taking their 401 k retirement plan funds with them. While some are rolling their funds over into IRAs or other qualified plans; many are taking their distributions in cash. Once an employee has left job, any payments of earned vacation, sick or other leave made after leaving job were not considered for inclusion in deferrals to Solo 401k, 401(k), or 403(b) plans. These plans’ definition of compensation excluded any post employment earnings as IRS excluded it from definition. As far as these plans’ were concerned, it’s as if money was never earned.

Since post employment earnings were not included in 401 k or 403 b compensation, these earnings were not a factor in any non discrimination or top heavy testing, as well as not being available for profit sharing or matching contributions.