Top Ten Tips for Business Cards
#1 You must have one.
If you are in business of any sort or size, a business card is a must. It gives you an immediate entree to whatever social or business gathering you may be attending. At a large gathering it may also be impossible to meet everyone in the room during the time allocated. Leave a pile of your business cards on the resources table or quickly place a number of cards on each individual table.
#2. Quick Information.
Think about the information you want to convey quickly. Your name and telephone number are vital. Make the print size of the number in a larger font and in bold type. This makes it easier to read both when you are talking face to face with the person, and also if the card is placed in a pin-on plastic case for pinning to your shirt or blouse.
#3. Do you need a photo on your business card?
Well if you are young, female, beautiful it goes without saying.If your are male, over 60, wrinkled and have nose and ear hair growing in gay profusion, perhaps have a think about it. If you decide to insert a photo,move your logo to the left margin, and position your photo in the top right hand corner. Normal eye movement is from left to right, so the person opposite you will read the logo first, then take in the photograph.
#4.Font type and size.
Remember the baby boomers. They may no longer have 20/20 eyesight. Nor will they be able to read 6 point type. So enlarge the type font and bold it for your name and telephone number. If you have a simple small domain name , then bold your domain name in another bright colour such as red or blue. Pastels are perfect if you are selling perfume.
#5. Web Address.
Put your web site adress in a stand out colour. No need for fire engine red, ( except if you sell fire engines), but then again forget using a lighter shade of pale. No one can read it.
#6. Use both sides of the card.
On the reverse, state succinctly what you do in bullet points.
Forget about your elevator speech. 5 or 6 lines on the back of the business card will give any reader a fair idea of what you are about. The point is to raise an interest and point them in the direction of your web site. This leads to a lot of consideration for your landing page. It must be interesting and you need some “sticky” copy to keep them reading. You may also be selling a product or services, so ensure your Home Page or landing page leads a visitor to what it is you want to sell.
#7. Logo.
Your logo is part of your brand and will be for many years. So employ a very good and experienced logo designer. Give him/her as much detail as you can and ask for draft rough designs first. Then play with colours.
#8. Printer Drafts.
Always obtain a draft of both sides of your card. Send drafts to your friends and ask for comment. Pass on the comments to your logo designer and ask for more drafts with the changes. Choose two or three of the best designs, obtain jpeg copies and circulate to your friends for further comment.
#9. Revise, Redraft,and Review.
Choose two or three of the best drafts in a jpeg file, show them to your friends and see their reaction. Do not be afraid to experiment with different colours.Time spent on redrafting and review is time well spent.
#10. Print and Price.
Print off 250 on reasonable gram paper, say 80 gsm, and if all goes well , print the next 500 on better quality paper. There are literally thousands of printers who offer very cheap printing costs. There are many franchised printing operators here and in the USA as well. Remember also, that you may want a printer in your business network. Every new business will need a logo designer and a printer for business cards.
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