Cheap Powerful Marketing Tools: How to Create Attention-Getting Business Card
Posted on December 9, 2007
Filed Under Personal Development
Your business card can be the most cost-effective and efficient method of marketing and packs a large punch in a small amount of space. The smaller size actually benefits you, as it allows for carrying tiny billboards in your pocket. If your mini-billboards are properly maintained and utilized, they can be an extremely profitable marketing tool.
Here are most important ways to supercharge your business card into a powerful business tool:
1. Basic elements of Business Card:
- Logo - have a professional designer create your business logo. If you provide products or services that can be
represented with a symbol (ie, house painter, home builder, restaurant, dog grooming service), the logo should symbolize that product or service in some way.
- Name of Individual not every type of business card has to have the name of the individual but it’s a nice personalized touch. In a large organization it can be beneficial to the recipient to have the name of a specific person to contact. The name is usually the most prominent text element of a business card.
- Job Title of Individual is not a required element, some entrepreneurs or sole proprietors might include “President” or “CEO” or some other title to give the appearance of a larger organization.
- Name of Business or Organization a business card almost always has a business or organization name on it. The name of the individual or the name of the business or organization is usually the most prominent text element of a business card.
- Address a physical address or a mailing address or both are typical parts of a business card. If the company does business exclusively online or by mail, a physical address might not be a key element to include. If both a physical and a mailing address are included, it may be desirable to label each one.
- Phone Number(s) multiple numbers are typically listed in order of voice, fax, cell but you can omit any numbers that are not the preferred method of phone contact. Don’t forget the area and/or country codes and extension.
- Email Address & Web Page Address
Including an email address is an important element for Web-based businesses but other businesses or organizations might omit this form of contact unless it is one of their preferred methods of contact. Also web addresses can be listed with or without the http:// preceding the URL.
- Tagline or Description of Business a tagline or brief description can be useful when the business name is somewhat ambiguous or doesn’t clearly convey what the business does. Taglines can also convey benefits and features.
- List of Services or Products a long list will usually clutter up a standard size business card but when using two-sided or folded business cards a bullet list of services offered or main product lines can extend the usefulness of the business card.
2. Business Card Design Tips:
- - Make sure that your business card reflects your image. If you are an artist or a graphic designer, it is OK to use
trendy colors and fonts. If you are an investment banker, a sober layout and colors such as blue or gray work better.
- - Make your business card easy to read: use high contrast between the background and the type. Light background with dark type works better.
- - Your business card is an integral part of your brand or corporate identity strategy. It should follow the same graphics standards as the rest of your communications material (stationary, brochures, letterheads, etc.).
- - Contrast is a very important visual element on a Business Card. The simplest contrast is black text on white card. You can be very creative by using colors that have contrasting relationships such as blue and orange or red and green
- - The next thing to look for is how text and images are aligned on your Business Card.Our eyes find aligned text and objects pleasing. This is a very common mistake when designing Business Cards. Text on your Business Card may be aligned left or right or centered. As long as it is consistent over your Business Card. If you are using an image, find an element within it to align your text with on your Business Card.
- - Don’t make non-standard sizes or shapes. Why? They can’t fit into binders. I bought Avery’s Business Card Pages and a binder to hold them all, that makes it easier to look through them and find cards. It’s amazing how many business cards can’t fit into those pages (I folded about 100 and couldn’t use about 10 at all).
3. Powerful Tips Using Business Cards:
- - Keep your business cards with you at all times. Keep a stack in your car, in your house, in your office, and in your wallet.
- - When giving away your card, give two or three at a time, so that your contacts can in turn distribute them to other people. This will not only help you distribute them faster, but will generate a beneficial “endorsing effect”.
- - Scan your card and use it as an attachment to emails.
- - Don’t give your business card too quickly. It may be perceived as pushy. Try to establish a conversation with your prospect first. For example, ask them what do they do. That will usually prompt them to give you their card. That is the perfect moment to give them yours.
- - Insert a business card when mailing bill payments. Bills contain advertisements. Why can’t you advertise your skills or services the same way’ Insert a business card with your payment.
- - If you have a mobile phone number or a direct phone number that is not listed in your business card, write it at the back of your card before handing it out, and tell your prospect that you are giving them your direct number. This will make your card more important.
- - If somebody gives you their business card, you should give them yours in return.
- - Take good care of your business cards. Keep them clean and crisp in a cardholder. Don’t give away cards that are bent or damaged.
- - Collect all the business cards you can find, even if you don’t need them. Together, they will act as an “idea file” that will provide you with valuable tips that you can use to design your business cards.
And never forget: Business cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use .
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Comments
17 Responses to “Cheap Powerful Marketing Tools: How to Create Attention-Getting Business Card”
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Great advices, I can add one more. When you are given a business card, hold it with both hands like a precious piece. Hold it for some time, don’t put into your pocket right away. This way you show respect to the person who gave it to you.
Good ideea! I don`t know this tip.
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Maybe it can get a little complicated if used in a different way.
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