What your business card says about you
What your business card says about you
In this day and age, information technology has become so advanced that everything, it seems, is done online. Marketing is no exception – search engine optimization (SEO); pay-per-click (PPC) advertising; article marketing; directory placements, and such internet marketing tools have become buzzwords in the marketing world as a result of this ‘going online’ trend.
Nonetheless, the increasing level of internet usage and penetration (70.2% for the United States as of July 2007 according to Nielsen/Net Ratings) does not mean that you no longer have need for business cards.
Business Cards – Why do you need them?
In the world of stiff-necked, Saville Row suited businessmen (or their 20th century, dress-shirt-and-slacks equivalent) you’d feel mightily out of place if you didn’t have a business card to give out. Truly, exchanging business cards with new acquaintances and possible business contacts is a tradition that you should never neglect.
It’s tradition…
Business cards are something that people expect to give out and be given whenever they meet someone new. Business cards are not exchanged merely for advertising or marketing purposes; they are necessary reminders of people you have newly met. Business cards, in effect, are actually some sort of social lubricant – easing new meetings along and making remembering other people easier on all the parties concerned.
Smooth operator…
Business cards also provide you with a way to advertise your services without seeming crass or obvious. Upon introducing yourself and relating what you do, you simply hand out your business card and let it do your advertising and pre-selling for you. No overt selling is required. You can simply become the epitome of the perfect businessman – smooth, savvy and trustworthy – and thereby create a favourable impression on your potential client. This way, you leave a lasting impression on your prospect without having to resort to pushy marketing techniques.
Latent marketing…
Business cards are effective marketing tools, too. People usually collect and keep business cards – if not on their wallet or purse, then on their own card case or their cards drawer at their office. People like being prepared for every possible eventuality so they are likely to keep your business card just in case they have need of your services in the future.
That’s the main advantage of business cards – staying power and latent marketing. Even if those people who have your business card do not call you immediately, if and when they do need a service that you offer, they’d be much more likely to call you than some anonymous person or company that they find in the phone directory. After all, they have met you or – in cases where their friends gave them your business card – at least their friends know you. Business cards, therefore, give businessmen –especially small businessmen in the services industry – a trust-based, potential market.
The Ideal Business Card
Indeed, business cards are a definite requirement for any businessman, especially startup entrepreneurs. If you don’t have them, be sure to have some printed out – fast. Not all business cards are equally effective, though, so before you order some business cards, remember the following design basics.
The size…
Your business card should be small enough to carry around in your prospect clients’ wallet. It should also fit standard card holders. A business card with a 3.5” x 2” dimensions should do.
The look…
Definitely, your business card should look attractive. Be sure to use colours that repeat your company colours but first, make sure that your colour combination really works for the target clients that you have in mind. Your business card should be easy to read, too, so steer clear of fancy fonts that take too much effort to decipher.
The content…
Do not fill your business card with superfluous information (marital status and interests are definitely out). Just put in the basics: your name, company logo, company tag line or motto, company name, company address, telephone number/s, email address and company website – if you have one.
These are just the design basics. You can innovate all you want – go for rounded corners, zany colors, etc. if you want. Just remember not to go beyond the bounds of good taste. Your business cards are not there to show that you’re creative (unless you’re in the creative designs field) but mainly to give your prospects a no-sweat means of getting in touch with you. Therefore, one primary rule stands: make your business cards easy on the eyes and easy to understand.
What your business card says about you - To learn more about this author, visit Mark Gwilliam's Website.
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I am often asked about what details should go on a business card. This article attempts to give my views.
In this day and age, information technology has become so advanced that everything, it seems, is done online. Marketing is no exception – search engine optimization (SEO); pay-per-click (PPC) advertising; article marketing; directory placements, and such internet marketing tools have become buzzwords in the marketing world as a result of this ‘going online’ trend.
Nonetheless, the increasing level of internet usage and penetration (70.2% for the United States as of July 2007 according to Nielsen/Net Ratings) does not mean that you no longer have need for business cards.
Business Cards – Why do you need them?
In the world of stiff-necked, Saville Row suited businessmen (or their 20th century, dress-shirt-and-slacks equivalent) you’d feel mightily out of place if you didn’t have a business card to give out. Truly, exchanging business cards with new acquaintances and possible business contacts is a tradition that you should never neglect.
It’s tradition…
Business cards are something that people expect to give out and be given whenever they meet someone new. Business cards are not exchanged merely for advertising or marketing purposes; they are necessary reminders of people you have newly met. Business cards, in effect, are actually some sort of social lubricant – easing new meetings along and making remembering other people easier on all the parties concerned.
Smooth operator…
Business cards also provide you with a way to advertise your services without seeming crass or obvious. Upon introducing yourself and relating what you do, you simply hand out your business card and let it do your advertising and pre-selling for you. No overt selling is required. You can simply become the epitome of the perfect businessman – smooth, savvy and trustworthy – and thereby create a favourable impression on your potential client. This way, you leave a lasting impression on your prospect without having to resort to pushy marketing techniques.
Latent marketing…
Business cards are effective marketing tools, too. People usually collect and keep business cards – if not on their wallet or purse, then on their own card case or their cards drawer at their office. People like being prepared for every possible eventuality so they are likely to keep your business card just in case they have need of your services in the future.
That’s the main advantage of business cards – staying power and latent marketing. Even if those people who have your business card do not call you immediately, if and when they do need a service that you offer, they’d be much more likely to call you than some anonymous person or company that they find in the phone directory. After all, they have met you or – in cases where their friends gave them your business card – at least their friends know you. Business cards, therefore, give businessmen –especially small businessmen in the services industry – a trust-based, potential market.
The Ideal Business Card
Indeed, business cards are a definite requirement for any businessman, especially startup entrepreneurs. If you don’t have them, be sure to have some printed out – fast. Not all business cards are equally effective, though, so before you order some business cards, remember the following design basics.
The size…
Your business card should be small enough to carry around in your prospect clients’ wallet. It should also fit standard card holders. A business card with a 3.5” x 2” dimensions should do.
The look…
Definitely, your business card should look attractive. Be sure to use colours that repeat your company colours but first, make sure that your colour combination really works for the target clients that you have in mind. Your business card should be easy to read, too, so steer clear of fancy fonts that take too much effort to decipher.
The content…
Do not fill your business card with superfluous information (marital status and interests are definitely out). Just put in the basics: your name, company logo, company tag line or motto, company name, company address, telephone number/s, email address and company website – if you have one.
These are just the design basics. You can innovate all you want – go for rounded corners, zany colors, etc. if you want. Just remember not to go beyond the bounds of good taste. Your business cards are not there to show that you’re creative (unless you’re in the creative designs field) but mainly to give your prospects a no-sweat means of getting in touch with you. Therefore, one primary rule stands: make your business cards easy on the eyes and easy to understand.
What your business card says about you - To learn more about this author, visit Mark Gwilliam'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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Kim CastleWith 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 |
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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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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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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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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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