So what does your business card say about you? Does the card present the recipient with your professionalism, experience, and expertise? Does it help people to remember you and motivate them to do business with you? Or do they just stuff your card in their pocket and disappear?



If you are like millions of other people who use business cards, creating a professional image is key to your success. After all, your image, as seen on your business card, is the first, and sometimes only, chance you have to introduce yourself to potential customers. The last thing you want to do is give people the impression that you just ran down to the local Kinko's and had some cards printed up without putting any thought into it.

If your business cards are not giving the right impression, there is hope. By following some simple guidelines, you can be handing out classy business cards that are memorable and make a good impression.

1) Use quality card stock. You do not want a card that is flimsy. You want your business cards to feel firm, crisp and have smooth edges.

2) Use a unique card stock. Many printing companies now offer distinctive cards made of textured stock, wood, fabric, plastic and even metal.

3) Keep the card clean and uncluttered. Do not try to cram every piece of information that you can on your card. Keep it simple; all you need are the basic ways of contacting you. Business cards are not billboards.

4) Do not use hard to read fonts. Fancy fonts make look impressive to you, but to a potential client, if they cannot read the card, they will trash it.

5) Use a professional logo. If you are using a logo on your card (and you should), do not use stock clip art. Use a logo that is unique to your company.

6) Make sure all information is current. Keeping the information on your card up to date is extremely important. Nothing is more unprofessional than having the wrong information or scratching out a phone number and writing in a new one.

7) Photos should be recent. If you use a photograph of yourself on your business card, do not use a picture from a decade ago.

8) Utilize the back of the card. You can have additional information printed on the back of your cards. Such information as directions, business hours, appointment blanks, and slogans can be helpful.

9) Use full-color printing. Traditional black on white business cards are out; Contemporary full-color cards are in. However, if you are in a more conservative industry, you may want to stick to a more basic color scheme.

10) Do not cut corners. Remember, you are not looking for a ?run-of-the-mill? business card. Take the time to do it right. Your business card is your greatest marketing tool. Don't ruin it by trying to save a few bucks.

If you follow these guidelines, your business cards will elicit a favorable response. If your customers like what they see, you are one step closer to getting their business, and they will pass your card along to others. Now get out there and start marketing yourself in style!

Copyright 2006 Timberland Business Cards