It is well known that we only have one chance to give a good impression, and visual impact plays a huge part of this immediate judgment.
Most of us small firms are no longer ‘start-ups’ and the focus of our business may well have changed since we first launched our businesses. So take a critical look at your business card – it may need to be updated. It is important to present a clear and professional layout that is consistent with your business. Does it give a relevant impression of your business, tell the recipient just who you are and what you do?
Because a business card is one of the most important and cost-effective marketing tools a business can have. A powerful and well-designed business card can effectively promote your business.
Many of us are so close to our businesses that we don’t see the most obvious mistakes. Try and look at your business card from the customer’s viewpoint – Is what your business does absolutely clear to the non-specialist? If you do carry out very specific work – consider having 2 cards: one for gatherings of people in the trade as it were, and one for general use.
The basics
Traditionally, business cards are created on a 55 x 85 rectangle. Anything larger than this won’t fit in most business card holders or the average filing system.
The quality of paper your business card is printed on will have an immediate (usually subconscious) impact on your potential customer. If the paper is thick, heavy and sturdy, it creates an impression of your company as being reliable and strong. A poor quality card implies a business that will have poor quality products and services.
Design
Have a look through your collection of cards and select those that leave an impact and then try to define why these particular cards are memorable - information, logo, and/or picture? Simplicity of lay-out? Use of both sides of the card? Colours?
Many business cards leave no impression on the recipient, try to create an impact, but above all, make sure the card has the relevant information: Your name and contact details, your homepage address and other information. Even the best designed, eye-catching card is useless if the recipient can’t get in contact with you or does not know what services your firm offer.
The important thing is to make sure that your business card shows that you, and your work, are professional and of a high quality.
