Think Before Print Your Buisness Cards

Metal Buisness Card

1. Include the Right Information: The information you put on your business card will  depend on you and your business. The average card includes your name, position or occupation, company or business, company address, your work phone number, mobile phone number and email address.
However, you do not need to put each of these on your card. It really depends on your business. Make sure your website address is included regardless. When no website is listed on a business card, it communicates one of two things: Either you have a website and were not forward-thinking enough to put it on your business card, or you don’t have a website, which raises serious legitimacy issues.

2. A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: It is highly recommended that you put a picture or image on your business card. Studies have shown that people are more likely to keep a business card with a photo on it. It could be your picture (make sure it’s a professional image), a picture of your product or a combination of both. Picture cards get attention!

3. Consistent Branding: Make sure your business card has a look and feel that tells potential clients who you are and what you do. Ask friends to look it over for an outside opinion. Also, don’t forget about the aesthetics (colors, font choices, etc.) of your card. It is very important to ensure that there is consistency between your site’s branding and your card. Many small businesses forget this simple rule and select a business card simply because it “looked cool.” If your business card does not match your website and other collateral, then roll up your sleeves and make them match. Mismatched aesthetics can lead customers to believe they are at the wrong site and do not create the type of first impression one should strive for. Make them match and reap the rewards.

4. Taglines Are Remembered: Multiple psychological studies have shown that people remember a tagline before a company name. A tagline is a one-sentence benefit statement and can prove extremely valuable for your business. Their value builds for years, and over time, a good tagline can be your best and least expensive form of advertising. Make sure you include it on your business card.

5. Material Matters: Flimsy business cards do not impress prospective customers. It shows poor quality, and a low-quality business card creates an impression of low-quality service. Spend the extra pennies to get thicker card stock–it’s worth it.

6. Don’t Be Stingy: If you are not going through a few hundred business cards a year, you probably are not using every opportunity to market yourself and your business. Printing a few hundred business cards has never been easier. Order lots of cards, and give them all away. The more you hand out, the more opportunities you have to grow your business.

7. Stand Out From the Pack: Yes, your business card may very well wind up stuffed in a desk drawer with a stack of other business cards. This is why it needs to stand out in a crowd.  This is perhaps your greatest challenge when designing a business card, and it is why I prefer to let the experts do it. With so many amazing design options available today, there is no reason why you should be giving out a standard white business card.

8. It’s All About the Plan: The greatest cost associated with business cards is the initial setup and printing. But the best business card in the world is useless if it’s sitting in a box with 1,000 others like it. Devise a plan for how you will distribute your cards. You have plenty of opportunities. Take them to trade shows, tuck them inside of presentation folders, drop them in letters, and include them in packages and billing information to customers. You have a powerful tool at your disposal. Use it!

9. More Is Less: Think of your own reading habits. A business card holds your attention for mere seconds. Not only does your information need to be presented to the reader in a clear and concise matter, but you’d better make sure all of the information can be read and comprehended on the first pass.

10. Let the Experts Do It: Your business card should represent the perfect image of your company. A design that does not reflect what you do could have a negative impact on your business sales. That’s why I strongly believe designing your own business card design is not the right way to go. Leave the designing to the professionals, and use your time doing what you do best … selling your product or service!

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