Tweet

Business Cards - Small but Mighty

Written by: Lillian D. Bjorseth

Article Overview: 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. They are your omnipresent marketing tools.

Business Cards - Small but Mighty

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. They are your omnipresent marketing tools.
Because business cards frequently create your first impression when handed out, mailed or shared by someone you met. Because they also have permanence, your business cards need to be designed 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, color and stock type and weight. Even though you may currently work for someone else, you undoubtedly will have the opportunity some time in your career to design your own card or help a family member or friend.
Use the following guidelines:
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, email and web addresses (at least!). This alone 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 the number where you most want to be reached.
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 your business!
4. Understand the role of color. Dark colors such as black and navy blue “say” authority, power and knowledge. Brown says dependability and stability, but not power. Pastels can be used to add interest rather than for the meat of your card.
5. Use additional information if you company name is not descriptive of your business. You want people to immediately grasp the nature 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.
6. Make your business card perform multiple marketing functions by using both sides. 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 address or email, which I have seen done ... ineffectively.
7. 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.
8. 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 now with several of your (honest!) associates and acquaintances.
§ Does your card make a positive first impression?
§ Does it tell the nature of your business?
§ Does it clearly tell them how to reach you?
§ Does it pack a wallop?
And always remember business card etiquette. If you want someone to have your card, ask for her/his card first. If the other person doesn’t ask for yours in return, don’t offer it. Silence is an important part of the communication/relationship-building process. Tune in to what people say nonverbally as well as through their words.

Related Articles
  All ya need is Attitude and Ownership to have selling success
  To Franchisees: Be Wary of Using Company Credit Cards
  Successful People Live a Mighty Purpose
  Credit cards: how do we use them?
  Make Your Business Training Program a Mighty River

Article Tags: building relationships, business cards, face to face networking, in person, inexpensive, marketing tools



Related Forum Posts
My entry - 1. The Best Business Books Ever: The 100 Most Influential Business Books You'll Never Have Time to Read - this is a fascinating book about the history of Business theory, and I'd recommend it to anybody. 2. The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants, by Tom Gegax. Ditto. 3. PADI: The Business of Diving Book Okay, so this book won't be of use to anyone who doesn't want to start a scuba store, but I did, and this book was of course invaluable to me in reaching that goal.
These maybe the coldest franchises out there: - Here are the worst 15 performing franchises in regards to having the highest Small Business Administration (SBA) loan failure rates. The list is dotted with sub sandwich shops, fitness centers and car shops. WORST FRANCHISE LOAN FAILURES Failure % 1 OBEE'S SOUP SALAD SUBS 55.56% 2 LADY OF AMERICA 41.94% 3 COUNTRY CLUTTER (BED & BREAKFAST) 41.18% 4 COPY CLUB 36.36% 5 ALL TUNE AND LUBE 35.71% 6 PICKERMAN'S 35.71% 7 PHILLY CONNECTION 35.59% 8 ROLY POLY ROLLED SANDWICHES 34.78% 9 COTTMAN TRANSMISSION 34.48% 10 HAIR COLOR EXPRESS 33.33% 11 LEE MYLES AUTOMOTIVE TRANSMISSIONS 33.33% 12 GODFATHER'S PIZZA 33.33% 13 SMOOTHIE FACTORY 33.33% 14 BLIMPIE 31.39% 15 GOLF U.S.A. (RETAIL GOLF EQUIP.) 30.77% Source: Small Business Administration, SBA Loan Performance Within Franchise Code for the Period of FY 2001 - 2005
Exclusive: Interview with Results - Hi Forum Members, I'm helping start up a Business Coaching and Consulting company here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (a Subsidiary of RSC Business in Los Angeles). As a Research and Development Intern I am required to practice my listening and interview skills by surveying Small and Medium Businesses on thier Business. This Survey is designed by RSC Business to also assist the Business being interviewed more insight into their own business. I am looking to interview about 30 businesses across North America over the span of 3 months. At the end of these interviews I will be publishing a report of the results and they will be made available for free to the Interviewees. The Report data will include responses from a minimum of 100 interviews. I would like to extend this opportunity to members of the Forum. If you would like to have this short 20-30 minute interview conducted on your Business and you reside in North America please send me an email or PM. Please contact me at andy[at]jvprosperity[dot]com to arrange our interview and to get free access to the results when they are published.
Re: Biz Plan Competition - i just wanted to say that posting Small Business Events on CanadaOne is a great resource. Thanks Julie!
New Small Business Topic - Hello everyone, I'm on the lookout for new topics to add to my site. We just launched a Franchising section and are planning Human Resources section. Do you have any thoughts for a new section? Here's a list of what we currently have: Angel Investors Branding Bank Loans Business Coaching Business Plan Franchises (New) Insurance Legal Marketing Public Relations Sales Small Biz Loans Venture Capital


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

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:

Popular Articles

Live To Work Or Work To Live?

Why Use an Advertising Agency

Four Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Should Blog

Suggestions

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.