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Believe it or not your business cards will often be how you are remembered.
You probably already know that you absolutely need to have a business card
for your business, but why?
Anytime anyone in your company is coming in contact with potential clients, they can and should be
handing out a business card. This combination of talking to someone in person and getting a promotional
printed piece given to you, that you’re “supposed to keep”, makes business cards a very powerful
marketing tool. Especially when you compare them to yet another direct mail piece that has no personal
connection and usually ends up in the trash!
So putting the extra effort into creating a really great business card design is a truly cost effective marketing strategy.
But, quality is the key word. The design could be outstanding but if the printing is poor, it's a waste of time and
money, yours. Your card speaks worlds about who you are and what you value.
They're so small! To create a distinguished, highly professional looking printed piece at 31/2” x 2” can be daunting.
A business card’s only purpose is to be remembered. How do you make a positive powerful impression that really stands
out? Often you will be trying to fit a lot of information on this tiny card, how do you ensure that what is important gets read.
To make your business cards stand out, color is a must. By using color in your business card design you can communicate
what your company does that much more clearly.
With all the information you want to put on your card, plus your logo and/or design elements, it's hard to
avoid overcrowding your design. This makes your card look less professional, and also makes it less readable.
The problem is how small business cards are, combined with the limits of readable font sizes. There are two
things you can do to avoid overcrowding:
Narrow down what is essential information to have on your card. Remember this is not a brochure or
other printed piece advertising everything you do. It is simply a point of contact that will be remembered
and conveys what your company is about. Consider using a double-sided business card.
Someone looking at your card needs to instantly see what your business does. If you serve a specific group
of people, then who are they? For example, if you service home computers, then you not only need to convey
that you fix computer problems, but that you specialize in home computers rather than business computer
problems with network concerns etc.
Information you will need to include on your business card:
Company logo
Tag Line
Company name
Individual’s name
Company address
Telephone number
Toll free number if different
Cell phone number
Fax number
Email address
Website URL
Proof read your information and consult a dictionary if necessary. It is very easy to make a spelling error
or accidentally enter a wrong number. We will always show you a proof. Look closely, double and then
triple check it. Show it to your associates. When you're confident with everything say,"Send it to the presses!"
Whether you're creating business cards for the first time or modifying existing business cards,
they should reflect your professionalism, your skills, and your ability to provide
the product or service your prospects need. And if your business cards are hidden in the depths of
your desk drawer, it's a sure bet that your cards are not attracting business for you. There are
dozens of ways to use them creatively. Business cards can do much more than convey contact information,
they can be used as "mini-billboards"to market your business as well. However, few people give more
than a few moment's attention to planning their business cards.
There are many situations in which you're expected to pass out cards, always give out two cards at a time -
one for your prospector client, and one for her/him to give away. Get creative and try new ideas before your competitors do.
How about tucking your card in related books at the library, or handing your card to the receptionist at the doctor's
office, or leaving one with your tip at a restaurant. Wear them! Use them as nametags at meetings and conferences
instead of the "Hello, my name is ..." type of tags. Send a business card in every piece of correspondence- letters,
invoices, even your electric bill. Sooner or later, those cards will be used.
Print on the back, the most neglected area of a business card. Just think what you do when someone hands
you their business card, you turn it over and look on the back! Give them something to see. How about "good
for FREE cup of coffee", personal consultation, discount or percentage off, something that aplies to your
product or service and peaks their interest! Other ideas are local sports schedules, tips, hints and tricks
of your trade. Or, if you live in a region of the country known for its famous food like we do, a "recipe"
from your area. Our favorite is "the best cajun gumbo".
And to sum it all up, business cards are still the most popular marketing tools of small business, and with
good reason. There's simply nothing else that's as portable, affordable, versatile and effective. Besides,
people actually EXPECT you to give one to them.
You probably already know that you absolutely need to have a business card
for your business, but why?
Anytime anyone in your company is coming in contact with potential clients, they can and should be
handing out a business card. This combination of talking to someone in person and getting a promotional
printed piece given to you, that you’re “supposed to keep”, makes business cards a very powerful
marketing tool. Especially when you compare them to yet another direct mail piece that has no personal
connection and usually ends up in the trash!
So putting the extra effort into creating a really great business card design is a truly cost effective marketing strategy.
But, quality is the key word. The design could be outstanding but if the printing is poor, it's a waste of time and
money, yours. Your card speaks worlds about who you are and what you value.
They're so small! To create a distinguished, highly professional looking printed piece at 31/2” x 2” can be daunting.
A business card’s only purpose is to be remembered. How do you make a positive powerful impression that really stands
out? Often you will be trying to fit a lot of information on this tiny card, how do you ensure that what is important gets read.
To make your business cards stand out, color is a must. By using color in your business card design you can communicate
what your company does that much more clearly.
With all the information you want to put on your card, plus your logo and/or design elements, it's hard to
avoid overcrowding your design. This makes your card look less professional, and also makes it less readable.
The problem is how small business cards are, combined with the limits of readable font sizes. There are two
things you can do to avoid overcrowding:
Narrow down what is essential information to have on your card. Remember this is not a brochure or
other printed piece advertising everything you do. It is simply a point of contact that will be remembered
and conveys what your company is about. Consider using a double-sided business card.
Someone looking at your card needs to instantly see what your business does. If you serve a specific group
of people, then who are they? For example, if you service home computers, then you not only need to convey
that you fix computer problems, but that you specialize in home computers rather than business computer
problems with network concerns etc.
Information you will need to include on your business card:
Company logo
Tag Line
Company name
Individual’s name
Company address
Telephone number
Toll free number if different
Cell phone number
Fax number
Email address
Website URL
Proof read your information and consult a dictionary if necessary. It is very easy to make a spelling error
or accidentally enter a wrong number. We will always show you a proof. Look closely, double and then
triple check it. Show it to your associates. When you're confident with everything say,"Send it to the presses!"
Whether you're creating business cards for the first time or modifying existing business cards,
they should reflect your professionalism, your skills, and your ability to provide
the product or service your prospects need. And if your business cards are hidden in the depths of
your desk drawer, it's a sure bet that your cards are not attracting business for you. There are
dozens of ways to use them creatively. Business cards can do much more than convey contact information,
they can be used as "mini-billboards"to market your business as well. However, few people give more
than a few moment's attention to planning their business cards.
There are many situations in which you're expected to pass out cards, always give out two cards at a time -
one for your prospector client, and one for her/him to give away. Get creative and try new ideas before your competitors do.
How about tucking your card in related books at the library, or handing your card to the receptionist at the doctor's
office, or leaving one with your tip at a restaurant. Wear them! Use them as nametags at meetings and conferences
instead of the "Hello, my name is ..." type of tags. Send a business card in every piece of correspondence- letters,
invoices, even your electric bill. Sooner or later, those cards will be used.
Print on the back, the most neglected area of a business card. Just think what you do when someone hands
you their business card, you turn it over and look on the back! Give them something to see. How about "good
for FREE cup of coffee", personal consultation, discount or percentage off, something that aplies to your
product or service and peaks their interest! Other ideas are local sports schedules, tips, hints and tricks
of your trade. Or, if you live in a region of the country known for its famous food like we do, a "recipe"
from your area. Our favorite is "the best cajun gumbo".
And to sum it all up, business cards are still the most popular marketing tools of small business, and with
good reason. There's simply nothing else that's as portable, affordable, versatile and effective. Besides,
people actually EXPECT you to give one to them.