No matter what you do for a living, it's a good idea to have business cards made that tell others about yourself. If you're in business for yourself, it is especially imperative that you have business cards engraved to advertise what you do and how someone can get in touch with you when they need your services. Even if you don't have a business of your own, it's still a good idea to have your own business cards engraved with your name and a contact number. Business cards are relatively inexpensive to have engraved, however, many printing business will make you purchase up to 500 cards minimum. If you don't want to pay someone else to make them, you can make them yourself with a computer software program. This way, you can get very creative and come up with some very memorable business cards of your very own.

Business cards are a great way to get you noticed when your job hunting too. Attaching one to your resume will make it stand out and leave a memorable impression on the person reading it. It can also be detached and left on the potential employer's desk more readily before he or she places your r'sum?'s on top of all the others. Remember, you're not the only one looking for those "great jobs." There may be up to 50 other people applying for the same position. You have to make yourself stand-out, even though your not there.

Below are a few more tips on how to market yourself and your services and getting your business cards "out there."

1. Don't leave home without them, no matter where you're going. You never know when a chance meeting may come into play. A morning jog or a quick trip to the market can be an opportunity to meet a new client or potential job opportunity. Either way, giving them your business card will not be a missed opportunity to anything.

2. When paying your bills, send your business card with your payment. All bills contain advertisements, so why not advertise your services too? You never know when the person opening your bill to record your payment may need your services. Even if they don't need them at the moment, your business card will be implanted on there brain whether they know it or not. Who knows, that same person may be speaking with someone at the water cooler who mentions needing the exact type of service you may provide. He or she gets your business card and hands it to them explaining how they got it and "bang" you got yourself another customer.

3. Always be polite and use good business card etiquette. This means that whenever you give a business card, ask for one in return and make sure you read the business card before placing it in your wallet. This will make the person feel important and by doing so, he or she will keep this in mind when mentioning your name to someone else. By showing a sincere interest in another person by making them feel important, this will in turn, make you important to them.

4. Give your business cards out freely, especially to new people you meet but don't forget family and friends. Don't be stingy with them, many people will ask for another card to give to someone else, so give two at a time if necessary.

5. Don't put people on the spot by asking "do you know of anyone who may need my services or is your company hiring right now?" Allow people to feel they are doing you a favor by saying something like, "could you do me a favor by referring my services to someone?" Give them two cards.

6. Never miss an opportunity to get yourself out there. Social events like birthday parties, weddings and holiday parties are excellent places to meet new people who may need your services.

7. Put yourself at the right place at the right time. How do you do this? Consider volunteering to help out at the next job fair, or other small business trade show. By getting out there and putting yourself where company representatives have a chance to see that you're willing to go that extra mile to get a job done will definitely put you in a good light with them, plus it's a great opportunity to talk about yourself and the service you offer. People sometimes don't realize they need a service until it's pointed out to them.

8. Come up with a memorable slogan for your business. Let people know why you're different than anybody else and why they need your services. Money has been made by just a few well-placed words that linger in the minds of consumers.

There are many other places to leave your business cards where others will see them. Local Laundromat service boards are good places as well as your local realtor, doctor, dentist and lawyer offices, etc. are all excellent places to leave a small stack of your business cards, as long as you ask permission first. Never pass up an opportunity to leave your business card, no matter how small or off the wall you may think it is. The more chances you take to market yourself and get your name out there, the more business opportunities you will have to get your business noticed and the chance to grow.