Business Cards - Small but Mighty Warriors
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Business Cards - Small but Mighty Warriors
They weigh less than 1/4 of an ounce.
They cost about a nickel or a dime.
And, they pack a powerful punch!
They are business cards, and they are your most effective, least expensive form of advertising. You can (and should!) carry them with you daily, on the ground and in the air. Because business cards frequently create your first impression and because they also have permanence, design them with as much detail as you give to your personal image. After all, they represent your corporate image.
The initial image people consciously and unconsciously conjure up about your business card is based on design, colors and stock type and weight.
Use the following guidelines in designing your business card:
1. Make it attractive and pleasing to the eye. While computers and software packages can make desktop publishers out of almost anybody, there’s real merit in hiring an experienced graphic designer to give your card a professional, coordinated look. It can become your winning edge!
2. Include the necessary information. Today, that translates into a lot of verbiage. It means your name, company name, title, phone, fax and cell numbers, e-mail and web addresses (at least!). This alone often calls for professional talent since so much information has to be arranged in an easily read and understandable manner. Most people call the first number you have listed; therefore, make sure it is your phone number.
3. Use a heavy card stock. Unless you are using parchment paper, stay away from lightweight stock, especially the kind that will easily run through your printer. My research has shown that people say lightweight cards leave an impression of a business that is temporary and cheap ... certainly not building blocks for a new undertaking!
4. Use additional information if you company name is not descriptive of your business. Since Duoforce Enterprises, Inc., for example, does not describe my training and speaking business, I added Rapport Builders under my logo and “Author. Coach. Speaker. Trainer.” on the bottom of my card.
5. Use the back of the card, if appropriate. A doctor, dentist or therapist may want to use it for appointment listings. A motivational speaker can print an inspirational message. A health club can use it as an invitation for a free visit. Anyone can use it as a calendar or as a discount on products or services. I use it to list my products. Don’t, however, put information there that is vital to your business like your web site address or e-mail, which I have seen done ... ineffectively.
6. Use the front as an enhanced marketing tool. A photographer friend of mine turns his originals creations into four-color business cards. A gift-basket owner does the same with baskets she has created. Professional speakers and Realtors often include their photos to increase recognition.
7. Stick to the standard size. Cylinder desktop business card holders are passé. Avoid fancy cutouts. Spend the extra money on design.
In my workshops, I ask people to exchange cards and then answer the following questions. Try the exercise with someone in your network.
Ø Does your card make a positive first impression?
Ø Does it tell the nature of your business?
Ø Does it clearly tell them how to reach you?
Ø Does it pack a wallop?
One last thing, if you want someone to have your card, the proper etiquette is to ask for his/her card first. And, if the other person doesn’t ask for yours in return, I suggest you don’t offer it. Silence is an important part of the communication/relationship-building process.
Business Cards Small but Mighty Warriors - To learn more about this author, visit Lillian D. Bjorseth's Website.
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They measure about 2” x 3 1/2.”
They weigh less than 1/4 of an ounce.
They cost about a nickel or a dime.
And, they pack a powerful punch!
They are business cards, and they are your most effective, least expensive form of advertising. You can (and should!) carry them with you daily, on the ground and in the air. Because business cards frequently create your first impression and because they also have permanence, design them with as much detail as you give to your personal image. After all, they represent your corporate image.
The initial image people consciously and unconsciously conjure up about your business card is based on design, colors and stock type and weight.
Use the following guidelines in designing your business card:
1. Make it attractive and pleasing to the eye. While computers and software packages can make desktop publishers out of almost anybody, there’s real merit in hiring an experienced graphic designer to give your card a professional, coordinated look. It can become your winning edge!
2. Include the necessary information. Today, that translates into a lot of verbiage. It means your name, company name, title, phone, fax and cell numbers, e-mail and web addresses (at least!). This alone often calls for professional talent since so much information has to be arranged in an easily read and understandable manner. Most people call the first number you have listed; therefore, make sure it is your phone number.
3. Use a heavy card stock. Unless you are using parchment paper, stay away from lightweight stock, especially the kind that will easily run through your printer. My research has shown that people say lightweight cards leave an impression of a business that is temporary and cheap ... certainly not building blocks for a new undertaking!
4. Use additional information if you company name is not descriptive of your business. Since Duoforce Enterprises, Inc., for example, does not describe my training and speaking business, I added Rapport Builders under my logo and “Author. Coach. Speaker. Trainer.” on the bottom of my card.
5. Use the back of the card, if appropriate. A doctor, dentist or therapist may want to use it for appointment listings. A motivational speaker can print an inspirational message. A health club can use it as an invitation for a free visit. Anyone can use it as a calendar or as a discount on products or services. I use it to list my products. Don’t, however, put information there that is vital to your business like your web site address or e-mail, which I have seen done ... ineffectively.
6. Use the front as an enhanced marketing tool. A photographer friend of mine turns his originals creations into four-color business cards. A gift-basket owner does the same with baskets she has created. Professional speakers and Realtors often include their photos to increase recognition.
7. Stick to the standard size. Cylinder desktop business card holders are passé. Avoid fancy cutouts. Spend the extra money on design.
In my workshops, I ask people to exchange cards and then answer the following questions. Try the exercise with someone in your network.
Ø Does your card make a positive first impression?
Ø Does it tell the nature of your business?
Ø Does it clearly tell them how to reach you?
Ø Does it pack a wallop?
One last thing, if you want someone to have your card, the proper etiquette is to ask for his/her card first. And, if the other person doesn’t ask for yours in return, I suggest you don’t offer it. Silence is an important part of the communication/relationship-building process.
Business Cards Small but Mighty Warriors - To learn more about this author, visit Lillian D. Bjorseth's Website.
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl 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 |
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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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