By Sharon
Housley
FeedForAll - http://www.feedforall.com
RecordForAll - http://www.recordforall.com
©
2007
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.
