Your business card is not just a piece of paper that you use to introduce yourself and give out your contact details. More than a repository of contact information, your business card is a tool that you can use to promote yourself and your company. You need to be able to make the most out of it to create a high impact upon the person to whom you will be giving it. This will also ensure that every time you are giving out your business card, you are generating business for your company.
Unfortunately, a lot of people do not understand this, so they put in a stack of information on their business card that is not relevant, or design their cards in such a manner that defeats the purpose of the cards. And so, the sales potential is not realized.
There are important elements that every business card must have in order for it to realize its full potential as a business tool. Here are a number of pointers that you need to keep in mind when designing your business card.
1.Hire a professional designer to create your business card. A professional designer would know how to arrange the textual and graphical elements of your card so that it would create the effect that you desire for your card and promote your business effectively.
2.Stick to the essential information. You do not need to put all your contact details on your card. Just list down your business address; your home address is not necessary unless you work from home. Other contact details that must be on the card are your phone number, fax number, mobile number, email address, official website, and maybe your instant messaging ID.
3.Make sure that the most identifiable element on your card is either your name or your company logo. These are the most important information that your card should have. If you do not have a logo, use your photograph.
4.Feel free to use color, since business cards done in black ink only are now considered boring. However, never overdo your use of color.
5.Use the back of the card to list down the core services of your company. This lets the recipient know at a glance what your company is all about.
6.Make your card functional. Many people are opting to put magnets on their cards so that they can serve a double-purpose for their recipients.
As we mentioned above, people sometimes put a stack of unnecessary information on their business cards. Such a form of information overload defeats the purpose of the card.
If you want your business card to have a high impact, you should never do the following:
1. Use small font so you could cram in as much information as possible. If the recipient cannot read your card, your card becomes useless.
2. Use clip art instead of a professionally drawn logo. Clip arts are tacky.
3. Use thin or flimsy paper. This conveys the message that you cannot afford a decent business card and are not stable enough as a company to do business with.
4. Overdo the self-promotion. A long job title or a string of academic letters after your name may be nice for you, but they tend to turn people off.
Always strive to create a high impact with your business cards. They are tools that you should use to promote your business.