A business card is a wonderful marketing tool for any real estate agent. But a business card that stays in your pocket or purse can’t do you any good. So once you’ve designed a Century 21 business card that suits you perfectly, what should you do with it?

• Use it to build relationships. A business card is a tangible reminder of a personal connection. If someone has your business card, but no idea of who you are and no memory of having met you, then your information isn’t doing you much good. Don’t just hand your card out to everyone you see, before you’ve even spoken a word to them. Strike up a conversation. If possible, wait until the person asks for your contact details. Giving out your Century 21 business card after they’ve gotten to know you a bit will make it much more likely that the potential client will remember you the next time they see it.

• Use it to share the wealth. Real estate agents are natural connectors. As a Century 21 agent, you are perfectly placed to understand the needs of business people and residents in your area. So why not use your real estate business card to help build bridges in the community? The next time you make a referral, don’t just mention the person’s name. Instead, write down their contact details on one of your own business cards. Both parties will appreciate the gesture, and remember your assistance the next time they need help.

• Use it to start a conversation. Buying or selling a house can be a confusing, even intimidating process. A good real estate agent should be both an ally and an adviser for their clients. Use your Century 21 business cards to let people know that when they’ve got questions, you’re there to help. Not every question leads straight to a commission, but when people learn that yours is an expert voice they can trust, they’ll want to tell their parents, their friends, their neighbors – and your real estate business card will be there at the center of it all.