Monday, January 16, 2017

The Dos and Don'ts of Business Cards


Business cards are a powerful tool that often gets overlooked thanks to the Internet. Having business cards on hand are a great way to pass on your information when networking or even engaging in social pleasantries. There are some general guidelines with dos and don’ts for business cards that you want to keep in mind when purchasing them and handing them out.

Dos

- Include ONLY the necessary information for your audience.
They need to know your name, the name of your business, and the contact information that they’ll use to get in touch with you later.

- Include several ways of being able to contact you, such as your website or email addresses and your phone number.  Some people prefer reaching out with a telephone call while others like being able to shoot off a quick email requesting a quote or asking a question.

- Make your cards stand out for their readability over their creativity.  Fonts that are hard to read may be cute or whimsical, but that may end up with your prospective client looking for someone else to do business with because they can’t read your contact information.  

- Try to stick with the standards and style of your industry.  Think of your business card as an extension of your brand, and keep this in mind with the style.  If your business is a non-standard type of business, you can loosely express this in your business card.

- Stick to a standard size business card for your card stock.  A different size business card may look interesting but may make it hard for someone that stores their cards in a file or card box.  Graphic designers and other artistic businesses may consider going outside of the standard size to an unusual sized or shaped card, but most traditional businesses should avoid this tactic.

- Use a practical layout.  You’ll only want to use the front of the card to make it easier for storing as well unless you have vital information that needs to go on the back.  For instance, if you do business in other countries, you may want to have one side in English and the back side in another language. This is making good use of your business card’s space.

- Work with a designer. They are trained to come up with a creative and interesting business card that fits your business without falling into the pitfalls of many of the don’ts.  A designer has a trained eye that will help you to produce the best card possible for your needs.

- Proofread your information before sending it off to the printer.  Typos, spelling errors, and other mistakes can make your business card, and you, look unprofessional.

- Keep your business cards handy at all times to be passed out to other professionals and potential clients.  You never know when the opportunity may present itself to introduce your business to someone you meet through friends, church, or at other events.

Don’ts

- Use a crazy color for your business card is not recommended.  A nice pop of color on your logo or elsewhere can help your business card stand out, but printing the card on brightly colored cardstock may make it hard to read for your potential clients.

- Put a coupon or discount for your services on your card.  This can be seen as unprofessional and will demean the brand image that you’re trying to present with a professional looking card.  This doesn’t mean you can’t offer discounts or coupon codes, but your business card is not the proper place to advertise these types of deals.

- Go overboard with graphics.  Including too many pictures, clip art, or other types of artwork can make your business card seem too busy and unprofessional.  You only want to put what’s necessary on your card.  You may want to add some personality with a picture of a dog you’ve groomed or a room you’ve remodeled, but make sure it works with your business card.  Too much may get your card overlooked.  

- Give out cards that look like they’ve been through the ringer  
You want your business card to be in pristine shape as you are handing out a card that represents you professionally and your business.  It can be a good idea to invest in a little storage case that keeps them in great condition while allowing you to keep them in your pocket or purse.

Following these simple rules for your business cards will help you put to use one of the most simple, and well-proven tools that you have for success.  Don’t worry about a prospective client fumbling with their phone to input your number or trying to find your company’s website while you stand around.  Instead, reach into your pocket and produce one of your professional, tastefully simple and highly effective business cards.  


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