Is Your Business Card Working to 55 Potential
Is Your Business Card Working to 55 Potential
Who’d ever think of branding and positioning for a business card. You should, if you’re expecting to maximise your impact. It’s no use having a fancy looking card that does nothing for you. These branding principles will help you not only make a great first impression, but will also make sure your card stays put in their Rolodex!
Who Are You And What’s In It For Me?
Design is all very fine in a business card, but what about your positioning? How is your business unique when compared to other businesses? And how does it help the receiver of the card?
It’s something you must take the time to think about, because that positioning plays a prominent part in a business card. For instance, we had a client who fixed computers.
Now there are a dime a dozen computer people out there, but his business became extremely defined when he positioned himself. It now said XYZ Computer Company-Taking the fat out of computers. That positioning not only defined what he did, but it established his usefulness to them in a very precise manner.
Graphic Design That’s Not National Geographic!
Some people stuff everything into their card design. Your business card is not a map; it’s often the first impression people get of your business. Which is why simplicity pays. Follow the principle of 3.
Don’t exceed 3 elements, 3 fonts and preferably 3 colours. People find it hard to concentrate on a large number of elements and your central message gets lost in a mishmash of colour and fonts.
Sort Out The Information
What do you need? What can you drop? Which number is most important? Which pieces of information do you group together? Do you really need that postal address or can you relegate it to your letterhead (where you have more space). Take hard decisions and keep only what’s totally necessary to get in touch with you.
Give Your Card A Backbone!
Your card has two sides. Make sure you use both. It might just be an explanation of what you do, or some useful information, or even a discount of sorts. You can convey a lot more on the back because you don’t have the restriction of contact details and visuals.
Coke Does It. Nike Does It. Why Don’t You?
Everyone knows a picture says more than a thousand words, yet they fail to apply it in real life. Visual branding is extremely important. Look at McDonalds--
Their double arc is everywhere, and you know at one glance where to find your next burger. Use the same concept for your business card and spend time and money to develop a strong visual branding image. It pays off in the long run.
Who Are You, Mr.Font?
Zillions of fonts float around, yet only some can define the style and mood of your company. Fonts vary from flowery, strong, elegant, to loud and extreme. Be sure to use stark contrast in typography.
This can be done by varying type size, weight, colour or style or a combination of these. Also, consider the fact that people with spectacles are going to read your information. Make sure your font size is legible enough. It’s no use having all that information, if no one can read it.
And Now For The Final Run
Always check with your printer before printing. A serif font might not be the best to use in 6 point. If your fonts are going to be really tiny, you’re better off choosing a sans serif. First print it out on your laser or desk-jet printer. Test it on your colleagues. If it doesn’t work with them, it’s never going to work.
Give Out Your Cards Like Candy
Use your cards to get yourself known. The best opportunity to get a card from a potential client is to give yours first. Use it when you’re paying bills, in elevators or just about anywhere.
If it’s attractive, informative, well branded and positioned, most people will hold on to it and use it to give or refer business back to you!
Is Your Business Card Working to 55 Potential - To learn more about this author, visit Sean D'Souza's Website.
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By Sean D\'Souza
Who’d ever think of branding and positioning for a business card. You should, if you’re expecting to maximise your impact. It’s no use having a fancy looking card that does nothing for you. These branding principles will help you not only make a great first impression, but will also make sure your card stays put in their Rolodex!
Who Are You And What’s In It For Me?
Design is all very fine in a business card, but what about your positioning? How is your business unique when compared to other businesses? And how does it help the receiver of the card?
It’s something you must take the time to think about, because that positioning plays a prominent part in a business card. For instance, we had a client who fixed computers.
Now there are a dime a dozen computer people out there, but his business became extremely defined when he positioned himself. It now said XYZ Computer Company-Taking the fat out of computers. That positioning not only defined what he did, but it established his usefulness to them in a very precise manner.
Graphic Design That’s Not National Geographic!
Some people stuff everything into their card design. Your business card is not a map; it’s often the first impression people get of your business. Which is why simplicity pays. Follow the principle of 3.
Don’t exceed 3 elements, 3 fonts and preferably 3 colours. People find it hard to concentrate on a large number of elements and your central message gets lost in a mishmash of colour and fonts.
Sort Out The Information
What do you need? What can you drop? Which number is most important? Which pieces of information do you group together? Do you really need that postal address or can you relegate it to your letterhead (where you have more space). Take hard decisions and keep only what’s totally necessary to get in touch with you.
Give Your Card A Backbone!
Your card has two sides. Make sure you use both. It might just be an explanation of what you do, or some useful information, or even a discount of sorts. You can convey a lot more on the back because you don’t have the restriction of contact details and visuals.
Coke Does It. Nike Does It. Why Don’t You?
Everyone knows a picture says more than a thousand words, yet they fail to apply it in real life. Visual branding is extremely important. Look at McDonalds--
Their double arc is everywhere, and you know at one glance where to find your next burger. Use the same concept for your business card and spend time and money to develop a strong visual branding image. It pays off in the long run.
Who Are You, Mr.Font?
Zillions of fonts float around, yet only some can define the style and mood of your company. Fonts vary from flowery, strong, elegant, to loud and extreme. Be sure to use stark contrast in typography.
This can be done by varying type size, weight, colour or style or a combination of these. Also, consider the fact that people with spectacles are going to read your information. Make sure your font size is legible enough. It’s no use having all that information, if no one can read it.
And Now For The Final Run
Always check with your printer before printing. A serif font might not be the best to use in 6 point. If your fonts are going to be really tiny, you’re better off choosing a sans serif. First print it out on your laser or desk-jet printer. Test it on your colleagues. If it doesn’t work with them, it’s never going to work.
Give Out Your Cards Like Candy
Use your cards to get yourself known. The best opportunity to get a card from a potential client is to give yours first. Use it when you’re paying bills, in elevators or just about anywhere.
If it’s attractive, informative, well branded and positioned, most people will hold on to it and use it to give or refer business back to you!
Is Your Business Card Working to 55 Potential - To learn more about this author, visit Sean D'Souza's Website.
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
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John PowerJohn Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years. From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company. From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies. In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance. Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.” Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing. See: www.biltmorefranchise.com You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website |
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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