Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

How to Be True to the Purpose of Professional Business Cards in Today’s Business Marketplace

How to Be True to the Purpose of Professional Business Cards in Today’s Business Marketplace

In years gone by, gentleman callers had the local printers make what was known as a calling card to showcase their names and contact information.  Butlers would take these exquisitely produced documents, place them on fine silver trays and carry them to the intended party. In many cases, even women had their own cards.

Fast forward to the 21st century and as much as things have changed, things have remained the same. Professional business cards are still required to build relationships.  These rather tiny pieces of cardstock, usually 3-1/2" x 2," have an essential purpose in today's marketplace and within the purpose of business. This purpose is combined one because it serves both to market and to sell your products or services. 

When examining your card, does it pass the AIDA Reading test?  This is a simple test to determine if it:
  • Attracts Attention
  • Creates Interest
  • Builds Desire
  • Includes Call to Action
Of course to be able to pass these 4 criteria, your card must be able to be read by the receiving party. Many professional business cards have creative fonts, incredible graphics, top of the line paper, yet it takes a magnifying glass to holding it at a certain angle to be able to actually read the darn thing.

Recently I received a squared 2"x2" one, printed on the highest quality black paper and the only way you could read the light gray colored font print was to hold it at an angle.  Having to take this much time to secure the information was truly not worth the effort.  I am sure the professional who was a graphic artist was quite please with his efforts.  Yet, it failed the AIDA Reading test because it could not be easily read.

Today’s business world is comprised of many individuals from the young to old with varying degrees of eyesight.  Having to hold the business card at arms length, at angles or requiring magnifying glasses are indications that you card is failing its purpose and it literally keeping you from your goal to increase sales.

Remember, the old KISS acronym of keep it simple and short?  This is a good strategy when designing this most important marketing and sales tool.





How to Be True to the Purpose of Professional Business Cards in Todays Business Marketplace - To learn more about this author, visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
David Barr
David 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

Anne Barr
Anne 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

Casey Gollan
Casey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website

Kim Castle
With nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website

Jeff Foster
WebBizIdeas.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

David Acheson
David 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

Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Are 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

Cheryl Matthynssens

Cheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur.  Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well.  A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles.  She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide-  to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being.  Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com

- Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Leanne Hoagland-Smith
(Visit Leanne's Website) Are 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/re d-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.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Leanne Hoagland-Smith's

Complete
List Of
Business-Coach
Articles

Name
Email
Author's Free Downloads
Leadership Audit For Business Icon Leadership Audit For Business
Business Building Check List Icon Business Building Check List
Leadership Assessment Icon Leadership Assessment

More Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Business Ethics Cannot Ignore the 800 Gorilla
Coaching Your Business To The Next Level Series Part 2 Work On Your Business
Business Improvement Motivation Sometimes Comes From the Most Unlikely Sources
Succession Leadership is the Success Lynch Pin for Individuals Businesses and Organizations
Win More Sales By Losing The Chains of Spiel and Commonality
Top 7 Tips to Reach Your Internet Article Marketing Goal of Submitting More Articles
Improve Customer Service thru Professinalism that CATORs to All Your Clients
Small Business Success The 21 Essential Pieces for Your Business Success Puzzle
What Fork Will You Take to Increase Sales
Life Success Begins By Understanding Where You Are
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Leanne Hoagland-Smith  
Casey Gollan  
David Barr  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Winning Sales Letter Icon Winning Sales Letter
Cash Flow Forecast Samples Icon Cash Flow Forecast Samples
Business Checkup Icon Business Checkup
EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES LIABILITY Icon EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES LIABILITY
Top Author Mistakes Icon Top Author Mistakes
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Marketing Blogs To Watch In 2008
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008
 
Top 50 Blogs For Startups To Watch In 2009
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2009
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Gloria Bosompra Tema, Ghana,
Gloria Bosompra
Tema, Ghana
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Catherine Daw, > $4 Mil in revenues
Catherine Daw
> $4 Mil in revenues
Chris Nguyen, 30+ national clients on $0
Chris Nguyen
30+ national clients on $0
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Paul Orfalea, Kinko's
Paul Orfalea
Kinko's
Ben Cohen Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry's
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Paul Kedrosky, Venture Capitalist
Paul Kedrosky
Venture Capitalist
Seth Godin, Ideavirus Author
Seth Godin
Ideavirus Author
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Used Correctly , E-mail Works
By Nancy Arter
     Harnessing Passionistas Through Digital Media
By Nancy Arter
     Student Marketing -- I Want My Video Content!
By Nancy Arter

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More popular articles
- Online Sales Force Automation
More Information