Business Cards That do the Business

A business card makes a statement about who you are and what your business is about. It needs to convey the quality of your business and an insight into your personality. I have been handed business cards and the first thought to go through my mind was - "Cheap" A tacky design - low quality paper - doesn't feel good in the hand and looks cheap to the eye. That then becomes my overall impression of the business.

Here are some ideas:

*Use colour - black and white is too boring but don't use "day-glo" colours - too cheap

*Put your photo on - it will help people remember you and make that important human contact. The photo needs to face into the text, not away and be of good quality - not a "mug shot."

*Quality paper - my business cards are made from a really durable card, that doesn't get "dog eared" easily and are difficult to tear up

*Put your logo on - make the logo small, you've a lot more important information to put on your card. You don't necessarily need a logo but helps give you an identity. Get a graphic designer to produce one for you; however there is software you can buy for a DIY job. If you don't have a logo you could utilise a drawing, caricature or a picture - as long as you're consistent.

*Make it a standard shape - however you can use a fold-over which gives more space for text and looks different. I used to have a card like a small tent card. I've seen it several times standing on a customer's desk. It looked too good to throw away.

*Do something different - have a card that stops people in their tracks and makes them want to find out more

*Have benefit statements and/or your USP (Unique Sales Point) prominently on the card - tell customers what you can do for them - how you can help solve their problems. Your name and your business name should be much less prominent.

*Use both side of the card - if you have a photo, benefit statements and all your business details then you'll need both sides of the card. Business details can go on one side and benefit statements on the other.

*Don't squeeze too much in - it can start to look messy

*Contact information - you business name, address, phone, email and website. I would avoid putting your mobile phone number on. You can always write it on for "special" customers, letting them know that you only give this number to certain people.

*Your name - put your name on as you'd like to be addressed when a customer calls you. You don't need all the middle initials. Also avoid all your qualifications, the majority of people aren't impressed by all the exams you've passed; they only want to know if you can solve their problems and they could even be put off by a whole string of letters.

*Make the text easy to read - don't use all capital letters and not too many typefaces. Fancy fonts can look really cheap

*Change of details - if your details change, don't score out the old and write the new stuff in - order new cards. Putting little stickers on with your new information is another no-no; it makes you and your business look cheap.

Discover how you can generate more business without having to cold call! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales without Selling" This book is packed with practical things that you can do to ? get customers to come to you . Click here now http://www.howtogetmoresales.com

---

Marketing Apathy Solutions: 10 Solutions for Overcoming Apathy Beginning Today

Are you suffering from feelings of indifference or a lack... Read More

How to Expand Your Target Markets

Are your products or services geared towards only one target... Read More

Eight No Cost Ways to Market Your Business

Are you trying to promote your business with a tiny... Read More

Top 5 Design Tips to Create Eye-Catching Marketing Materials

Great graphic design looks effortless, but it requires lots of... Read More

Marketing A Misunderstood or Scary Product or Service

What do you do if your business, product or service... Read More

Connecting With Your Clients

Many service professionals tell me that they are uncomfortable with... Read More

Trade Show Marketing ? Getting Prepared for the Big Event

With the increase in number of tradeshows being held across... Read More

Always Sell To New Eyes And New Ears

One of the hardest things for you to do as... Read More

Unleash the Power of Post Cards

Direct mail marketing is essential for a business to survive.Choosing... Read More

Direct Mail Still Works!

Direct Mail CampaignsDespite the proliferation of communication facilitators--mobile phones, faxes,... Read More

Make Your E-Mail Signature File WORK for You!

You're probably familiar with e-mail signature (or "sig") files -... Read More

How to Use Direct Response Post Card Decks as a Valuable Market Research Tool

Market research specialists have discovered a new tool which enables... Read More

Create Your Own Rumors

A consultant new in the city asked me how I... Read More

Image is Key to Your Marketing Success

In virtually any business first impressions are lasting impressions. Most... Read More

How to Conduct a Successful Fax Marketing Campaign

1. Focus your fax marketing on one objectiveFax is a... Read More

After Your Postcard Mailing: Follow Up with Finesse

I've heard a lot of people lament the fact that... Read More

A Forgotten Marketing Tool ? The Postcard

The postcard can be a very powerful marketing tool. Many... Read More

Marketing Your Franchise Online

Do you want to successfully market your business franchise online?... Read More

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling ? Part 6

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth?: Powerful Lessons In Marketing... Read More

Translation and Your International E-Commerce Strategy

Most businesses realize that they are simply a click away... Read More

Educating Your Customers

One of the biggest marketing mistakes businesses make today is... Read More

Systems - Marketing Your Business Successfully

Business Systems that work for anyone, are a fundamental necessity... Read More

Business Leads

Anyone who runs their own business can tell you how... Read More

CRM: Strategic Engine or Just Another Tool?

CRM?strategic engine or just another technology tool? How would you... Read More

Market Research ? How Good is the Data?

"Make money for taking surveys"," Cash for your opinion", "Make... Read More

Marketing Strategy - Getting the Marketing Groove

Wouldn't it be great to have a year where your... Read More

Marketing: Are You Focused?

In early 1992, President George H.W. Bush was riding high.... Read More

Promote your Business and Products through Submitting Articles to Top Web Sites

Articles submitted to online publishers bring your site new visitors... Read More

Business Cards that Make Them CALL

How would you use business cards for gift certificates?I asked... Read More

Why Insight and Flexibility is More Important than Perseverance in Marketing

Marketing successfully requires not only insight into how a product... Read More

Top 10 Benefits of Hiring a Marketing Writer to Write Your Marketing Materials

1. It costs less to delegate to a professional than... Read More

51 Ways to Say Thank-you in a Fundraising Letter for a Non-for-Profit (Includes Examples & Samples)

One of the hardest jobs in fundraising is crafting original... Read More

Competitive Research and Google

It all started out with an email message: "I am... Read More