Although much marketing takes place in the digital arena these days, a business card is still a relevant and powerful marketing tool. It is especially useful when networking and for attracting new customers. A good business card is an extension of your brand, and it effectively and quickly identifies who you are and what you offer. Here are some tips to help you create effective, professional business cards for your small business.
Do Make It Readable
Decorative cards with heavily stylized fonts can certainly be lovely; however, they can also be difficult to read. While creativity is important, people definitely need to be able to read the business card. Choose a simple, clear font, and print it in black, dark grey, or dark blue ink for the best results. You can also use colored space and white print for a more colorful design concept, but don’t use flashy colors that will distract from your logo and business information. Also, be sure to print the informationlarge enough that people won’t have to squint in order to read it.
Check out the business card above. While this design is elegant, it is also difficult to read. The redesign below remains elegant, but it is also fresh and readable.
This card design below is definitely cool and creative, but it is also rather confusing and not the most readable.
Do Choose a Good Layout
While oddly shaped business cards may be memorable and might help to set you apart from competitors, they are also really difficult to store. A traditional business card is 3.5 inches by 2 inches, and it fits well into most wallets. Generally, it is best to place all of your information on the front of the card. If you must print information on the back, then this should be vital information. for example, if your company operates in two countries, printing the English version on the front and the alternate language on the back would be an excellent idea.
Do Include Multiple Ways To Contact You
At the very least, your business card should include your name, your phone number, and your email address. If you have enough remaining space, include your company name, the company address, and the company website. It isn’t necessary to include links to all of your social media sites, and fax numbers aren’t as relevant as they once were, so these are not vital pieces of information.
Do Keep It Current
Keep your business cards up to date with all of your current information. They should always be presentable and professional. You don’t want to have to write your current information on the back of and outdated cad; this will make you appear sloppy and disorganized. Also, be sure to check for typos, misspellings, and other mistakes; these will also make you look unprofessional.
Don’t Go Anywhere Without Them
You never know when a random encounter might turn into a business opportunity, so it’s a great idea to keep those business cards handy. Get a nice card holder to protect them and keep them fresh.
Don’t Offer It Too Early
If you offer your card too early in a conversation, then you might come across as pushy. In general, it is wise to wait until someone asks for your card. However, you can politely say something like “May I offer you my card?” towards the end of a conversation. If someone gives you his or her card, then politely peruse it before putting it away; this will acknowledge your interest in that individual.
While you can certainly design your business card yourself, if you want a truly polished and professional look, a look which matches the rest of your brand, then opt for a professional designer. Ultimately, promotional materials such as business cards can be very important to your business, and your business deserves the best.
