Networking is an invaluable opportunity, and one that
should not be wasted. In order to maximize networking, it
is strongly suggested that all business professionals carry
business cards. The business cards can be exchanged during
introductions, both as a convenience and as a memory aid.
In other words, business cards allow networkers to further
the relationship through future contact.
Business cards may include one or more aspects of striking
visual design, but should also contain important contact
information. Use this guide to make the most of your
business cards:
1. What to Include
All of this information should be included on a
professional business card:
Name - This does not have to be your given name, but should
be what you expect people in business to refer to you as.
Position - This is really optional; many small business
owners find themselves wearing many hats, and may find it
beneficial and/or less confusing to leave their official
title off the cards.
Address - Physical office location and/or mailing address.
Website - Adding a website address to business cards is now
very common and expected.
Email - Email is also now a very common and popular
communication channel.
Phone - Include your business phone number.
Instant Messaging/ICQ Address - Internet chat address.
2. Double Sided Cards
If your company is global, or your sales territory focus is
in a region where your spoken language is not the
predominant language, you might wish to consider using the
backside of your business card to include your information
in an alternate language. You can also use the back of the
card to provide more extensive information and details
about your products and services. Or, if you do a lot of
local business, you might want to include a small street
map to your office on the back of your card. There are lots
of things you might be able to do with all that blank space
on the back of your cards.
3. Conversation Starters
Savvy sales people often use their business cards as a
conversation starter. Of course, the card needs to be
unique or unusual in order to generate a dialogue. Some of
the more interesting cards I've seen recently were printed
on micro-CDs, on magnets, on translucent plastic, etc.
4. Standard Size
Even if you are aiming for something unique, you should
still not diverge from the "standard" business card size.
For managing their contacts, many people will create a
business card rolodex, or may have a hand scanner
specifically sized for business cards. So stick with the
standard size -- otherwise you may be excluded from their
contact databases simply because your card didn't fit!
5. Order Quantity
Quantity discounts apply to business cards. When pricing
printed business cards, check to see where the price breaks
occur; sometimes you can significantly increase the
quantity of business cards for very little additional cost.
6. Quality Matters
Flimsy cards that are paper thin, and cards with ragged
perforated edges, just scream "amateur". If you are going
to print cards yourself, be sure to use heavy business card
stock, and use stock that has "clean-edge"
micro-perforations. And "glossy" finished stock can also
help boost the quality perception of self-printed cards,
especially if lots of color is used in the card design.
7. Brand Cards
Your business cards should be similar to all of your other
printed promotional material. Business cards should contain
your business or product logo. Double-check the colors with
the printer to make sure the correct pantone colors are
used. This will ensure that the logo is printed using the
correct and matching color scheme.
8. Keep Current
Information contained on the business card should always be
kept current. Business cards with obsolete information
crossed out are very unprofessional. If any information on
the card changes or becomes obsolete, have new cards
printed to reflect the change, and throw the old ones away.
9. Change It Up
Textured business cards, or cards with scalloped edges,
stand out. Consider a wide variety of ways to make your
card jump out of the pack. The texture or color of the card
can also be utilized to ensure your card stands out.
10. Legible
Use a legible font that makes the text on the business card
easy to read. Avoid making the fonts too small. Use
contrasting colors, and avoid using porous paper that will
allow the ink to bleed and the text to blend into the card.
11. Spelling
There is little more embarrassing than business cards that
contain typographical errors. Proofread the cards multiple
times. Let me say that again -- proofread your business
cards! And have other people proofread them too, as they
will often be able to spot mistakes that you've overlooked.
Maximize the power of your business cards. Whether you are
networking, or just being personable, business cards are a
must in the professional world, and crucial to business
marketing.
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Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing,
publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon
manages marketing for RecordForAll
http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing
software.
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