Print Article for : Design Your Business Card For Free

Your Online Guide » Startup Guide » Business Cards

[D202]Design Your Business Card For Free

by Akhil Shahani, Akh

Let's say, you are at a function and you are meeting a great many new people. How can you advertise your new business? Hand out your business card, what else! A business card can be an entrepreneur's best friend and a valuable marketing tool. The problem is that too many people have business cards that simply blend into the multitude.

How can you make your business card stand out from the pack and grab the receiver's attention? We've come up with 9 design elements to make your business card a unique marketing tool. Here goes.

o Develop a one-line slogan - When someone looks at your business card, can they immediately tell what your business does? Create a one-line slogan that will help people remember what you sell. Include the slogan on your business card. Typically 6 words are enough to get the message across - if they are the right words.

o Include your contact details - Tell readers how to contact you by phone, fax, and mail. Most importantly, include your website address because if your business is interesting that is the first place a prospective client will visit. It is surprising how many business cards miss this vital information.

o Make your card readable - Does your business card have a font size so small that you need to hand out a magnifying glass along with it? If recipients can't read the contact information, you've already lost them. Use font sizes that are big enough to be easily readable. Always use a light background with dark text.

o Use good card-stock paper for printing - Do you want to be perceived as a professional company meaning business? Then, do not skimp on money when it comes to your business card. Have it professionally printed on good heavyweight business card stock. A poor quality card shows your business in a poor light.

o Use color judiciously - A bit of color never hurt anyone! Same is the case with your business card. Spice it up with a little splash of color and you'd be surprised what a difference it makes. Among all the colors, red is the one that will stand out. Use a light background. A word of caution! - do not use more than 2 colors for text and avoid grey text on a white background.

o Use both sides - Why leave one side of the card blank? You can put it to great many uses. Print a recipe on the back if you are in the food business, a mortgage loan interest table if you are a real estate agent, or even, just a calendar.

o Shape your card - Why stick with the same boring rectangle? Use squares, circles, ovals and triangles to make your card stand out. If the shape can be associated with your business, all the better to grab attention.

o Teach a new language - If your business is global, why not add multiple languages for your business name or print the phonetic spelling of a difficult to pronounce name.

o Add your picture - Yes, you heard me right! This will not only make your card stand out, but also help the recipient connect your face with your business.

Above all, always carry your cards with you. What good is it having a box full of business cards if they're just sitting there collecting dust? Who knows, you might just meet a prospective client in a chance meeting today!

If you've got just one chance to make an impression (in person or not) and you've got the space, use it well. Make sure people know what you do, really DO, when they read your business card. Give them a compelling reason to call you to talk about working together. Or perhaps you want them to visit your website or sign up for your ezine (e-mail newsletter). The idea is to get prospects in ACTION, just by using your card.

Here's an example for you: I got a call from a prospect a while back, saying she was ready to work with me to help her attract new paying clients. She wanted to talk to me because she needed to see exactly how I worked and what my rates were. She had her credit card in hand and was ready to start.

The funny thing is, we'd never met. She wasn't referred by any of my clients or colleagues. Instead, she had found my card in a doctor's office close to 50 miles away. Now, I can ASSURE you I had never been to that doctor's office and I hadn't gone to that part of the state in over a year, but somehow my card found her and compelled her to want to work with me. That card probably cost me no more than 10 cents. Not bad for a return on investment on a marketing piece and the fact that I wasn't even there in the first place!

OK, so what should you put on your business card to make it Client Attractive in a networking situation? It should obviously have your phone number(s), every way to reach you, and can even have a set of PULL marketing questions on the back that invite the reader of the card to consider working with you. It's recommended that you add your tagline to the card. And use the back of it if you can!

My business card also prompts colleagues to refer potential clients to me even though we'd only met once at a workshop I've given or at a networking meeting. The information on the back allows the people holding the card to self-qualify or screen themselves as to whether or not they are an ideal client for me. It gives referral sources ways of describing what you do clearly and effectively when talking to others about you. It has an invitation to call, which can make all the difference between getting new clients from your card and not.

The objective should be to have a business card that has your ideal prospect say, "Wow! I need you!" when they've read your card. The key is to keep it legible, but to have real Client Attractive information there, so that it works as part of your sales force, even when you're not there to sell for yourself.

Your Assignment: Ask yourself: What does my business card say to my prospects? How do I differentiate myself from all of my competitors with my business card alone? Am I actually attracting new business because of it? Is there a call to action, an invitation to do something specific, a compelling offer, or a point of differentiation that makes me stand out?

Also ask yourself: What are people I network with REALLY doing with my business card once they go home from where they met me? Is it going in the circular file (i.e., the garbage) because they can't tell what I really do for a living and what I can do for them?

Business cards are an underestimated marketing tool, one that you will use most often to get new business. Instead of using a basic (boring) card that's essentially useless, it's time to create one that gets clients to call YOU.

Copyright (c) 2007 Fabienne Fredrickson

Article Source : Pg. 14

About Author

Both Akhil Shahani & Fabienne Fredrickson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Akhil Shahani has sinced written about articles on various topics from Buy a Franchise, Public Speaking and Education Toys. . Akhil Shahani's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Fabienne Fredrickson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Prospects, Business Cards and Acne Treatment. If you need help with this, get a copy of the Client Attraction Home Study System?. It's everything you need to know to create a marketing message that will appeal to the best clients for you. It gives you the most important things to do to set up simple,. Fabienne Fredrickson's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.