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



Getting New Clients - When Only a Few is More Than Enough

Many of the business owners I speak with are looking... Read More

How To Create Urgency So People Buy Now

..products or services now. They may not revisit your web... Read More

Business to Business Direct Mail Sales Letters Need an Offer (and Heres Why)

In direct mail, the offer is the incentive or reward... Read More

First Steps to Developing a Marketing Plan

Direct Mail . . . Newspaper . . . Radio... Read More

The Beginners Mail Order Opportunity Guide

The "Mail Order" business is not a business of itself,... Read More

Massage Marketing Made Easy: A Simple Nine Step Marketing Plan for Therapists and Bodyworkers

Marketing is actually very simple. It involves telling people what... Read More

The Advantages of Full Color Brochure Printing

A brochure can be a great promotional tool, whether it... Read More

How to Write Fundraising Letters That Motivate Donors To Make Donations to Your Non-Profit

Motivating strangers to give their money away is one of... Read More

Marketing Apathy Solutions: 10 Solutions for Overcoming Apathy Beginning Today

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

Money-Makers Secrets to Renting Profitable Mailing Lists

As an entrepreneur involved in selling and/or promotion... Read More

A Simplified Marketing Plan that Works!

When I started my first business in 1981, I researched... Read More

Why Your Business Need a Website

Web Presence gives your business a distince edge over your... Read More

11 Ways to Turnaround a Cash-Strapped Business or Practice

This past weekend I received a disturbing message from a... Read More

Selling To Your Affiliates

While success with any internet marketing program falls on the... Read More

What Is Better Than FREE?

Oh come on! FREE is free. Zero, zip, nada, zilch.... Read More

Good Vibes/ Bad Vibes

Have you ever walked into a store or business and... Read More

Do You Really Need a Brochure?

The phone rings. Good news... it's a potential client. You... Read More

Top Five Tips for Marketing that Gets Results

When marketing your practice, as well as designing your brochure,... Read More

The 7 Commandments of Marketing

Marketing is the key to success with any business, online... Read More

Another Commercial? Dont Touch That Dial! Watch & Learn

When commercials come on the television do you get up... Read More

How to Critique Your Own Yellow Page Ad

Forget what you know about your business Your goal is... Read More

Write Better Web Content

If you're reading this article, chances are that you, like... Read More

Client or Customer? There Really Is A Difference

Some people use the words "client" and "customer" interchangeably or... Read More

When You Need More Than Magic To Keep Your Marketing Going

It is easy to focus on what remains outstanding and... Read More

Free or Not Free ? That is the Question

You may be in business for yourself or as a... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: