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The Value of a Great Business Card
Your business card is a valuable marketing tool. Your business card is an attractor for potential clients and business partners. Be proud of what you do, how you do it and why you are different and let that shine through on your business cards.
Cheap, flimsy and wishy washy cards say more about you than you ever could so don't fall at the first hurdle. Get your cards designed professionally and give careful thought to your brand and how you want people to react when they receive one of your cards.
I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, "Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here." Count Basie
RESOURCES
30 Ways to Use Business Cards Here’s a great collection of ideas on how to use your business cards. © 2002 Linda Elizabeth Alexander:
Go to this link to find more info on artilces, books and loads more about business cards
TIPS AND PEARLS OF WISDOM
My business card is the only physical piece of marketing material I have.
Many business cards are in fact just reference cards in that they give name, address and contact details, name of company and perhaps a strap line but from that the reader has no idea what you do or how you do it.
Many cards I see are also blank on one side. Now there are 2 viewpoints on this. Some people like to leave the reverse of their card blank so the person they hand it to can write notes. Personally I don’t buy that. I would much rather give the details of what I do and how I do it on the card then I know they’ve got it.
Business cards are a key piece of marketing collateral so make the most of them. Be creative, think innovatively. Here are just 3 suggestions
1. Change the size and shape of your cards. My fist cards were triangular, my second cards were “tent cards” and my cards now are A7 size
2. Add a photo. This helps people remember you as many people might forget a conversation but when they can put a face to a card that might trigger the conversation. It also adds a personal touch
3. Make your business “card” a holograph, a mini CD/DVD – technology has ways of helping us create things we couldn’t have a few years ago and if you are in the creative/it sector this might work well for you.
View my latest business card Click here to download OSF Biz Card Beverley Hamilton www.onestepfurther.co.uk
I did some DIY ones just to get me started until I had a clearer idea of what I was doing and had got my business set up and then got some basic ones done professionally but kept the costs to a minimum without looking cheap.
I carry cards with me all the time, handbag, brief case, folders and camera case and thus whenever I get into a conversation where it just maybe useful for someone to have my contact details I always have a card at hand, this has included a charity cricket match and a church meeting. By not going over the top with my cards (they cost me <5p each but have had several complements) I do not mind giving them out on a just in case basis and have had a few calls as a result. I also feel better giving out professional rather than home made and it’s cheaper I’m sure.
Card is coloured (olive green with a tree trunk down one side) chosen from a template as I think coloured but not too loud stand out and just contains the basic contact information and strap line. In summary, clear, simple, professional, to the point, distinctive and always available. Babs Moore www.boldoak.co.uk |
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