Tips to Remember When Designing & Printing Your Business Cards

* If you're serious about your business be serious about your business cards. Don't focus on the money, focus on the quality. Business cards not only provide contact details, they represent you and your organization. People you give your card to will form a first impression within seconds of receiving your business card (oftentimes before even reading it), and you want that impression to be a good one. Make it appeal to the senses.

1. Have someone in house create a catchy logo and/or design and layout for your card. If you don't have anyone to do that, hire someone.
2. Get high-quality, thick card stock that feels nice to the touch.
3. Apply foil or glossy finishes it applicable to catch their eye.

Make your card stand out. If you spend enough time and quality on your card people will believe you put that same amount of effort into your business.

* Make the most out of your cards. Don't be afraid to use them as a marketing tool. Give them to everyone you meet. In fact, give everyone you meet two or three, so that they can give them out if the opportunity arises.

* Give your business card additional value. If you wish, you can usually create a useable backing for your business card—a calendar, appointment card, coupon, referral discount —give it value and decrease the chance that it will disappear into the trash bin.

* Be creative...but not too creative. It is important to design a visually-pleasing layout for your business card. But there are times when you can take creativity too far. Nobody likes to receive business cards of odd shapes and sizes that wont fit into their Rolodex or other business card holder. Make the text big and dark/light enough to read. Don't use 'wacky' colors or fonts.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Veronica Monet on January 17, 2009 at 7:20pm: And I for one HATE it when someone hands me several copies of their card. It is as if they are trying to make me work for them. Sometimes it is such a turn-off I feel like chucking all their cards in the trash. So I recommend you hand out your cards one at a time. It feels much more personal and the recipient is far more likely to hang onto your card.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. Erica Goodstone on January 17, 2009 at 11:16pm: Good suggestions on creating a valuable business card. i have always taken my business cards seriously. I have them printed on find linen paper with raised print and a logo. Also, on the back of the card I have my credentials listed and a space to schedule a few appointments - Date, Day, Time.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marcia Green on January 18, 2009 at 7:33pm: Thank you for that tip,very helpful.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Omitunde on January 18, 2009 at 11:55pm: I am encouraging my son the artist to design a logo design for my business cards. Business are important when you want to tell others about your business and there is no pen or paper to write down your URL or web site.

Thanks for the tips.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Deans on January 21, 2009 at 3:23pm: What may make sense for one business often does not for another.
Although I am a Patent Attorney rather than a Designer, I designed my own business card in plain black-and-white to match my letterhead, which I also designed. It has no catchy logo, foil or gloss, but carful choice of fonts does I think provide the right professional feel, namely solid and dependable, but also with an inventive lightness of touch.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cherian Francis on January 22, 2009 at 11:13am: This is really great, What is mentioned here is true. I will make use of it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. Erica Goodstone on January 22, 2009 at 9:43pm: I always add a list of my credentials and a place to put the day, date and hour of any scheduled appointments on the back of my business cards.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by e2Mars on January 29, 2009 at 4:58am: Iam Manju representing e2Mars.We are into providing Graphic, Multimedia and Application Development services to our clients in India and all around the world.If you have any requirent please feel to contact me.

Regards
Manju
bdexecutive@e2mars.net; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Todd Davis on January 29, 2009 at 8:21pm: Hey group,

Great comments, and a fantastic, eye opening article! Couple of quick suggestions:

1) Can you read it? Better yet, can the people who get it, read it? I had an insurance agent in my training class with Gold Star Referral Clubs. When I asked that question, he picked up his card, put on his reading glasses, held the card at arm length and brought it real close, and exclaimed, "I have had this same card for 20 years, and I can't even read it!"

2) Can someone write on your card? If the front and the back are glossy, it’s pretty hard to do.

3) Does your card say what you do? Go on...Read your card right now. If it’s not on your card, it isn't in their mind! How many times have you read the card, and it was John Smith, John Smith, LLC – got home and had no idea who they were, what they did, and why on earth did you get their card?

4) If you have a "tag line" or slogan, is it there?

5) Please don't use print-at-home cards. Everyone who gets one will know you're either new to business, or you're too cheap to get them done professionally. I've found www.gotprint.com does a good job, inexpensively.

Sure didn't mean to run on... this is a great site.

Todd Davis
National Director
Gold Star Referral Clubs
www.goldstarclubs.com
"Business Made Easy"; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CardCaddie on February 4, 2009 at 12:10pm: Good point. The idea is to do this with someone you feel comfortable with. I would not hand a bunch of cards to someone unless I thought it was O.K.
Derek; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Craig Deane on February 4, 2009 at 2:18pm: Good tips, definitely something to think about.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by eric on February 5, 2009 at 4:57am: Great tips. Especially at this time of bad economy. Business is becoming more competitive.

And the world is changing dramatically. We must take action

to face it. Don't you agree? The solution can be found in my blog -

http://ericthitaporn.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/33/

Best wishes.

Eric.; ▶ Reply to This