Business cards are among the essential marketing tools many people fail to take advantage of. For just a small investment, you can conveniently tell the world who you are and what products or services you offer. With the right information and design, your cards can be an influential door opener and reminder. When done well, your card will be your silent vendor. It is, therefore, important that you are conscious of what your card will say about you and your business?
When designing your business card, it is crucial that you consider your message. After all, your card will be what people will use to remember you. So, it needs to be enticing, readable and complete with all the important contact information.
You need to spend some time and consideration on the layout of your card in such a way that it captures all the necessary information in such a small space. You can use business card templates and create special design and position of details. You search through some online web sites as they offer free templates that you can use. You simply have to download the template and incorporate your design in it.
In some cases, a folded card is the best choice for you. However, it is essential to know that many people don’t like cards that are in unusual in size and shape especially those that can’t be easily kept in a rolodex or a business card holder.
Ideally, unusual cards are catchy and exciting, but often they are not rightly appropriate to a business. But there are exclusions such as foil stamping, embossing, or die cut. If these printing options will make your card look more compelling, then use them. The use of vibrant colors should also be moderated as oftentimes the color can overpower your details. Just keep it straightforward and you can easily make your card forceful.
A lot of cards now have photos as this give a sensitive feel to your card. If you want to include a picture in your business cards, here are some things consider:
Keep in mind that there are people who do not like a photo on your card. There are some people who will assess you based on your appearance, so be sure to put only the best picture in your card. A high quality picture can personalize your card and make you more available to them.
Basics content of a business card:
Front side: it has to contain your name, business name, logo, mailing address, phone numbers, email address, and web site address. Back side: it should contain details like who you are, what you do, your mission statement, products or services you offer, a site map, and other valuable information.
Tips in content writing:
Make sure that your content is easily legible and convincing. As much as possible, stay away from unusual fonts. Stick with the simple ones. Ensure the details you include are organized and makes logic in the design of your card. Make sure that your name is huge enough for people of all ages to read.
It is alright to have several cards for different businesses. You can consider having a personal and professional card if you can afford it. Just be sure to create the right design to ensure your card will be effective.
Archive
For August, 2011
If you run a business, marketing to people who are likely to take advantage of your business is a great way of draw in new customer. Maybe you strike up a conversation with someone at the grocery. He seems interested in your business offering, so he asks how he can learn about it.
So, what do you do? Do you scramble around for a pen and paper to write down your name, address, and phone number? Do you jot down your email address at the back of the receipt? Absolutely not. This will only make you look unprepared and unprofessional. What you should do is reach into your pocket, swipe your professional looking business card that has all your contact details and hand it to your potential customer.
Maybe you are thinking that you do not have enough money to purchase large quantity of professional business cards. That is alright. There are cost effective ways to produce cards such as making your own design and having it printed from an online printing company.
In general, business cards are among the oldest techniques used to get your business name into the hands of your target customers. They were initially used for social gatherings, but during the Industrial Revolution they became an important part of the business industry as a means of promoting businesses.
Nowadays, these cards are widely used at business events, trade shows, or other business gatherings as an effective means of promoting goods and services. But they can only be effective if people do not toss them in the trash. Here is an overview of these powerful marketing tool:
History. Business cards have been in use for a long time now. While technology evolved to give these business cards different looks, they are still widely used in all areas of business. In the old days, business card printing uses bulky printing presses, and the standard size was much larger than the cards we have today.
The use of computers have allowed businesses to produce cards right at their own home of office, and allowed business owners to give out their cards easily and economically.
The design. The early cards were designed with elaborate engravings and other embellishments that ensure the card catches attention. But during the Industrial Revolution, the cards look plainer often created with black letters on a white background.
With the printing technology available today, printing cards have become more innovative and creative, and gave entrepreneurs the ability to customize their business card templates with their own images, logo, and colors. Most of the cards today contain an overabundance of colors and designs, with each card trying to outshine each other.
The materials. Today, you can basically create cards from different materials such as the standard card stock to plastic and metal. Plastic cards are increasingly becoming popular today because of their durability. They are available in frosted or metallic finish. There are some people who produce their cards from unusual materials such as wood or magnets. If you want to stand out, do not be afraid to be creative in your design but be sure you are still able to produce the perfect impression of your business through your cards.
Business cards have been the tool of choice of many business owners. Despite the attractiveness of modern marketing techniques, these cards do not seem to be slowing down in effectiveness. If you are trying to create your own cards, you have a lot of choices that will allow you to showcase your personal marketing efforts in the best possible way.
Fridays at the office are considered business casual day. What does that exactly mean? Business is business and casual is casual so how do you combined the two styles? Friday is a dress down day so you know that business casual does not mean a suit but it does mean that you have look nice and neat but can be a little bit casual at the same time.
Let’s examine what Business Casual isn’t. Save the following items for your weekend or at-home wardrobe: zip-front hooded sweatshirts, team jackets, jean jackets, T-shirts with slogans, midriff-baring tops, tank tops, well-worn jeans, spandex pants, stirrup pants, overalls, biking shorts, sweat pants, mini skirts, see-through tops, halter tops, flip-flops, sneakers and sandals. Never forget that the first word in business casual is “business” and casual does not mean a day at the beach.
Business casual must always include high-quality pieces, hose or socks, appropriate underwear, footwear in good repair, coordinated accessories, clean, styled hair and makeup for women. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the type of footwear is considered business casual to finish off your outfit.
Slingbacks, women’s shoes with a cutout heel and a strap spanning the back of the ankle, defy simple categorization as they once did. Years ago, slingbacks were appropriate only during the summer months, and they were considered a casual shoe. Certainly, no self-respecting woman south of the Mason-Dixon Line would be caught dead in a slingback before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. Now, with a growing selection of women’s slingbacks, you can find a pair for every season and every occasion-from stay-at-home clothes to wedding attire. What determines the slingback’s suitability is the design of the shoe, the material, the embellishments, and whether it contributes to the overall desired look with the outfit?
You need to look at the entire spectrum of occasions, and offer suggestions for pairing slingbacks with outfits for each occasion. If you feel the shoes complement your outfit and you feel comfortable wearing them, let your personal sense of style guide you. People judge others by first impressions, and watches, handbags and shoes play an important role in first impressions. Cut corners elsewhere, but never with your shoes. Regardless of the style you wear, ensure that your shoe are in A-1 condition, with perfect sol. Casual shoes should be kept in the same tip-top, shined-up and scuff-free shape as their dressier counterparts. Do not wear 4 inch heels with a pair of dress pants and sweater. Those types of shoes look better with a dress suit or pant suit.
For men business casual shoes should definitely not include tennis shoes. There is nothing tackier than a man in dress pants with a pair of tennis shoes on. Styles range from penny loafers to lace-ups, leaving lots for comfort and budget preferences. Make sure that the heels and the fabric is clean, the leather polished, or the suede brushed. Wearing these types of shoes to finish off your business casual look will make you GQ all the way.
The old saying, “People take on the character of the costume,” isn’t a myth. It’s because of this truth there should be more business than casual in a company’s “business casual.” If the male and female definitions seem too rigid, then complain to the person where the buck stops. Company owners tend to complain about the business casual attitudes that accompany casual day because they’ve watched them evolve over time. That is why it’s important to sustain the level of business consciousness dictated by the respective company.
On the other hand, companies that demand a high stress, quick-paced level of productivity from their staff regularly may find benefits of invoking a more casual attitude once a week. Perhaps in such a case, it would allow employees to begin their weekend feeling more relaxed and come back on Monday feeling more mentally prepared for the new work week.
Whether you are in business causal or not you need to always remember that you are still doing business no matter what kind of clothes you have on. You need not be ashamed if you run into your CEO or a client visiting the office. Be comfortable but keep in the back of your mind you are still at work. Your business casual shoes can be loafers or tie up shoes, heels or flats as long as they are clean and look nice and neat. Be comfortable yet still professional. That is business casual.