How would it feel to find the business cards that you worked so hard to generate in the trash due to poor first impressions or common business card pitfalls. Make them stand out! Whether with elegance, classic distinction or creative originality, your business cards speak volumes about you and your business and are one of the most important marketing tools you could ever have.
They say that someone gives off their first impressions within the first 20 seconds of an introduction or meeting. Consider the same for business cards, except subtract it by 19 seconds. Within one second, the five senses of your contact will know whether that business card is worthy enough to put inside their wallet or whether to put it in the trash.
Sight – Make your cards visually appealing by adding logos, colors, proper font and uniqueness suited to your business
Sound – Hey, you have to sell yourself too when you are marketing yourself. Business cards come from the source – you. Sell yourself.
Smell – Well, make sure you, personally, smell good when speaking with possible business (or personal) contacts. And be sure your breath smells nice.
Taste – Put a good taste in their mouth by sending the message you want to convey in your business card.
Touch – Sometimes, texture can be the original shift you need to help your business card stand out. Also, be sure to only coat one side with glossy paper because you always want the option of writing information on your business card…glossy paper is almost impossible to write on.
Don’t let your emotions drive the creation of your business cards, they can certainly ride along…but what should be at the wheel are some very specific pieces of information and some very simple business card rules to follow.
- Use original or logo visuals/images that represent your business
- Use 100 lb. card stock and color
- Use simple fonts that are not too large or small
- Utilize the back of your business card with product information, calendars or appointment fill-in options
- Be sure your card is 3 1/2” in length and 2” in height
- Use a card that is coated on one side only so you have the option of personally writing on it
- Put an original twist on your card like changing the texture or taking a corner off one side to help it stand out
- Use appropriate contact information
- Name
- Title
- Company
- Address
- Phone number
- Optional – fax number
- and website
- Small font
- No physical address
- Size of the business card
- Lack of uniqueness
- Not utilizing the back of your card
- Not including something memorable
A couple of things to remember – never be a card shover. And if you aren’t passing out thousands of cards a year, you are not marketing yourself enough.
Is your business card designed to convert into sales?
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