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Category : Advertising &Blog &Branding &Logos &Marketing
What is the purpose of a business card? It should be designed to attract and acquire new customers to your product or services. It is not only one of the most cost effective advertisements, a networking and lead-generating tool, Not to mention a visual representation of you and your business. The bottom line is if it is not bringing you business and presenting a professional image of you and your company, it is not working.
For most people, especially for those just starting in business, the business card is the only marketing tool used.
People frequently think a business card that can be designed and printed on their home computer will be a good enough tool to get them noticed and remembered. The truth is business cards are one of the most overlooked of all business tools. A well-designed, professional card makes a professional presence; a homemade business card typically gives the impression of an amateur taking a stab at being in business.
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Category : Advertising &Blog &Business &Business Cards &Marketing
Your business card is often the first impression a potential client has with your company. The business card design and message will ultimately determine whether it gets thrown in the trash or filed for contact later.
Reach in your wallet and pull out your business card. Your Small Business Information guide has put together the business card test. Learn if your business card will pass or be trashed.
Size: Does your business card conform to the traditional size of 3.5″ by 2″? Anything greater will not fit in wallets or most business card holders. End result trash.
Paper Quality: Is your business card design of professional quality or is it flimsy with perforated edges? Cheap cards are trashed.
Ink: Drop some liquid on your business card. If the ink runs, it’s in the trash.
Color Test: Colorful cards can add to your professional image. Too much color can be detracting. Trash your card if it is black and white or has more than 3 colors unless it’s a photograph.
Message Design: Your business card should clearly tell people what you do and offer a meaningful benefit. No message adds confusion so your card ends up in the trash.
Image Match: Your business card design should match your business image. If you’re a designer, then the card should be creative. If your card is out of synch with your image, time to toss it.
Font Size: Is your card crammed with information? White space on the card will make it easier to absorb your message. If you have a lot to say, add it to the back of the business card. Is the print so tiny you have too squint to see it? This one is heading for the trash.
Contact Information: Your clients or potential clients should have as many means as possible to contact you based on their preference. Your business card design should include: voicemail, phone, fax, email, and website. Lack of contact information puts your card in the trash.
You only have one chance to make a great first impression. Make sure you invest in the best business card design you can afford. The business card is your introduction to a client, for the low cost per card that is money well spent.
By Darrell Zahorsky, About.com
Category : Advertising &Blog &Business Cards &Design &Marketing &Printing
If you think business cards aren’t important marketing tools, you’re wrong. Yet too may lawyers simply stick to the old, outdated format of white card stock with a name and number printed in boring black letters. Bad idea, says Larry Bodine, business development advisor at Larry Bodine Marketing and owner of the popular legal marketing site www.LawMarketing.com.
“A business card is like a mini-capsule of yourself,” Bodine says. “Why not make it interesting?”
Here are his suggestions for doing just that:
1. Add some pizzazz.
One advantage that smaller firms have over their white shoe counterparts is the ability to break away from the old black-and-white, block-letter mold.
Use color to make your cards pop. Add memorable pictures, and think of printing cards portrait style instead of the traditional landscape shape. Try using a glossy finish and nontraditional fonts – just make sure they are professional and easily readable.
2. A name and number isn’t enough.
Your cards should include things like Facebook pages, LinkedIn profiles and twitter and blog addresses.
“Make an effort to show that you are technologically hip,” Bodine says.
And of course, don’t forget your firm website address and email address – you’d be surprised how many lawyers omit such crucial information.
3. Make them user-friendly.
Print lines on the back, which allows the receiver to jot down notes.
“I always record the date and where and when I met a contact on the back of a card I receive” for easier reference later, Bodine says.
Make it easy for your contacts to do the same.
4. Banish cards from the wallet.
No one wants to wait for you to rustle through your pants or jacket pocket for a wallet, then watch you rummage through money and pictures of your kids before handing them a beaten-up, dog-eared card.
“That blows any classy impression you were trying to make,” Bodine says.
5. Make the experience special.
One hugely important – yet frequently overlooked – tool for good business card marketing: a card case.
Not only does it eliminate the wallet problem, but “when you pull a card out of a card container, people feel you are handing them something special,” says Bodine.
A leather case, silver card holder or even something more adorned – some cases look like “pieces of jewelry” Bodine notes – makes the experience memorable for the receiver.
Credit: Kimberly Atkins
Category : Blog &Business &Business Cards &Marketing
Finding ways to create free publicity can be a tedious task. Though technology has provided many different avenues to promote your business one of the most time-tested methods of publicity is simply word-of-mouth. During tough economic times word-of-mouth recommendations for your products and services may produce the same result as an advertisement with out the cost.
While word-of-mouth is a great start you can always do more. Structure a campaign around the attributes of your business to create a buzz that will bring commitment to your product or service amongst the people with in your community. To save money, try using existing products, knowledge and resources.
One way to set your business apart from competitors is by becoming a trusted advisor in the subject that you specialize in. Contest and fundraisers are another good way to drive people to your business. These are unique because if organized properly they encourage good habits and build buzz at the same time. Contests and fundraisers often expose your good service and products to people who least likely to do business with you otherwise.
Keeping up with your clients is easier then ever before. Blog software and online newsletter services make contacting your client more efficient and less expensive. Internet applications such as these have transformed word-of-mouth communication to the point where one click of the mouse can reach thousands of potential customers.
Businesses are turning to Facebook, YouTube, blogs etc. to post customer reviews, information on new products and how-to tips. Customers appreciate free advice and when they need a service that your business offers, they are more likely to remember the name of your business.
Written by t.davis
Category : Advertising &Blog &Business &Business Cards &low cost advertising &Newsletter
Do your business card whisper or holler?
The marketing adage below definitely has truth to it.
He who has a thing to sell
And goes and whispers in a well
Is not as apt to get the dollars
As he who climbs a tree and hollers.”
A typical business card design: The typical business card states a name, company name, address, phone, fax and maybe an e-mail address. This can cause you to loose out on a potential customers. For instance, plain old boring cards doesn’t convey to the customer what you can do, represent or the type of culture your business has.
A marketing tool: A marketable business card design states all of the above but also states at least one very powerful reason to do business with you (what you can do for the customer) More often than none this helps the potential customer become interested right away.
Professional business card design do allot more than just convey the information that’s printed on them. An ugly, card that’s printed from your computer will let the person know loud and clear “I AM A BEGINNER AND I NEED HELP”. A professionally designed business card conveys a first impression that last long after you are gone. After all, isn’t that what you want? Take the time and get your business cards done professionally!
Your business cards are the most portable, affordable and versatile marketing tool you will use, this will not be the case if it is a quiet and shy business card thats barely whispering your products or services.
Category : Advertising &Blog &Business &Business Cards &Design
Your business card is one of the most important marketing tools you’ll ever create. You give your business card to prospects and customers so they have your contact information. You tuck your business card inside of presentation folders, drop it in letters, and use it in a myriad of other ways to let people know who you are and what you do. And, if you run ads in local newspapers, your business card may even double as camera-ready copy for the publication’s “business card ad” pages.
But no matter how you use your business card, it won’t be the marketing workhorse it should be unless it looks professional, is easy to read, and helps customers and prospects remember what you sell and why they should buy it from you.
Category : Advertising &Blog &Branding &Business &Business Cards &Design
- Have a professional website. It’s not just good enough to just have a website, you must reflect your brand image. If your known as a top notch photographer, the last thing you want is a website designed 10 years ago. It doesn’t reflect well on you. Everyone, yes everyone, uses the web today to check references. If someone recommends your service, you can almost guarantee that they will go online to look for you. Your website design should be updated at least every two years to stay current.
- Blogs are good. Blogs help your business on multiple levels. First off, valuable content on a consistent basis will make you look like an expert. People are looking for experts, not apprentices. The software that powers blogs has multiple advantages. It’s very easy to publish. It’s a database driven environment where style is separate from content so you will not need to go back to your web design agency for every little change. And use of tags and sitemaps make basic search engine optimization easy. But the real reason blogs are great is that they enable conversation. Two-way dialog is much more valuable than a company that just dumps messaging and collateral on their customers.
