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BUSINESS CARDS – DON’T TAKE THEM FOR
GRANTED
“Here, take my
card.” “Let me give you
my card.” “I have a
business card for you.” You
have probably used these phrases numerous times without thinking about
what you are really saying. Your
business card is much more than your name and phone number.
It is a first impression of you, and the company you represent, a
piece of information, and company literature.
It can serve as an initial form of contact with a prospective
client, customer, or as an important networking tool.
There are some
particular aspects of designing, ordering and using a business card
effectively that we don’t always think about.
Employ some of these ideas to get the most out of your card.
PRESENTATION
-
Display quality and
professionalism, think about how your card looks to others, and ask
for opinions on design and layout.
-
View your card from
a customer’s point of view.
-
Get a case and keep
your cards clean and sharp. A wrinkled card with some pocket fuzz
attached does not make a good impression.
LAYOUT / PRINTING
-
Make
sure important information is easy to find and read.
If it is not, a customer will call someone else. Content
should include company, name and title, phone number(s), and email.
-
Consider
font size, color, and graphics.
Include white space, consistency in the font type, and eye
pleasing color combinations.
-
Keep
graphics relevant, such as a company logo.
Ask yourself, “Does this graphic serve a purpose?”
-
Use
your photograph if your industry relies on a lot of face-to-face
contact, i.e. real estate, attorney, consultant.
-
Busy
or fancy backgrounds may enhance your card if your work involves
creativity such as florist, artist, or designer, otherwise it may be
a distraction.
-
Use
standard size business cards and lay it out horizontally. If it
doesn’t fit the typical rolodex, your card may end up in the
“circular file".
-
Use
a good card stock to print on and order in larger quantities if you
know you will use the cards; this will lower your cost.
DISTRIBUTION
-
Establish
a rapport or create a reason to distribute your business card before
doing so.
-
Choose
an appropriate time to give your business card to someone.
-
Hand
your card out print side up. This establishes the importance of your
card.
-
Accept
other cards respectfully by looking at them immediately.
-
Always
carry your business cards.
SPECIAL TIPS
-
Create
a mini-brochure by using a folded card. Include the standard
information on the front; utilize the inside for more details about
services or features.
-
Have
your card made into a magnet. This
is especially useful for services such as plumbing, dry cleaners, or
restaurants.
Stop
taking your business card for granted.
With a little thoughtful planning and creativity, your business
card can become a useful personal promotional asset to you and the
company you represent. Make
a big difference with a small thing.
Greg
Barrette is a speaker, consultant, and trainer in the areas of
Interpersonal communication, sales, and customer service. He maybe
reached at barrettegreg@yahoo.com
"You have permission to
reprint this article in your e-zine, at your website or in your
newsletter. The only requirement is including the byline."
Visit www.creativeBUSINESSworks.com
for more original content on marketing tips, sales strategies and
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