Personal Business Cards » Business Cards

Small Business Marketing: From Business Cards to Flyers

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:33:00 +0000

A small business usually has quite a few things to worry about that are a lot more important than business card printing. That is a bit like saying that a small airplane has more to worry about than keeping its engine running. It is advertising that makes a business fly and enables it to take off. The basic business card is one of the most cost effective methods of advertising available to the small business owner. Many small business owners view the business card as a status symbol frill for salesmen and executives of much bigger companies. The truth is that the simple business card is a necessary starting point.

The business card has several elements and it comes in several styles. Its primary purpose is to provide contact information. This includes name, address, phone number, email, and Web Site Url if applicable. Another element is telling what your business does, and how it can serve its customers. Although the business card can be very simple: a one sided card printed on plain white card stock, for example, it can also incorporate design features that will create a more favorable first impression for your customers. This could include graphics and color, and could also include a distinctive logo that will come to represent your business in the eyes and minds of potential customers.

The same design elements that go into the creation of your business card should be used in your flyer design. Flyer printing is even less costly than business card printing. The basic flyer is a logical first step in the important area of advertising. They can be placed on bulletin boards, or even distributed door to door in your neighborhood. Business cards and flyers can be handed out with your sales, and sent to customers with shipped orders.

It is important to take the extra time and effort to produce business cards and flyers that give a favorable impression of your business. The extra effort will show the customer that your small business is a serious endeavor and generate customer confidence. There will be a subconscious connection made between your company and the customer. The business card and the flyer are two early ways to give out necessary information about your company and the products and services it provides. Their function goes a step beyond that, however, and they also are valuable in the creation of customer confidence and business recognition. Any extra effort devoted to their design and the excellence of their appearance will pay dividends. They could very well be the engines that help your business take off.

By: Natalie Aranda

Building a Brand – Business Identity

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:51:20 +0000

The importance of a professional logo design for a business is often over looked. If you are planning to build a strong business identity or brand then you will need a solid foundation to build from.

A logo is this very foundation for a business identity / brand. If you want to portray a professional identity through your marketing material such as letterheads, business cards, brochures, leaflets and a website then you will need a professional foundation to build from to begin this branding.

Your business stationery and marketing items will be designed around your logo design so as to build a stronger identity for your business that is to become recognisable by your clients and customers. If you have a poor logo design then it is very difficult and sometimes close to impossible to create a professional business identity in the eyes of your intended market.

A logo design is a symbol, a visual representation of your business that should communicate something informative and meaningful. An experienced Logo Designer can even communicate through a logo design your business ethos or an individuals personality, which can help to win business from individuals and organisations that share the same beliefs. It is a good idea to consider your Logo Design budget within your business plan as a logo design should be seen as an investment for your business that will help to win new business through your Company’s enhanced identity. It is all too often the case though that smaller businesses cut this very important corner and begin their own branding with a poor logo design which only leads to the realisation that it will cost far more to upgrade their Company’s identity now that the logo branding has begun.

If you do have a lower budget then it would be best to reduce the amount invested in other areas of design work such as leaflets and brochures which will need changing from time to time anyway. The best advice when it comes to building a visual identity / brand for your business is to begin with a solid foundation so that the necessaries are there at a later time to build from.

By: Sam J Logan

Business Card Printing Services

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:36:00 +0000

A business card is usually a piece of paper containing the name, address, and contact information of the person giving the card. Information contained on this piece of paper also includes the business name or the company affiliations of the giver.

Business cards are now seen as a means of advertisement or marketing. This allows previous customers to easily recall a company and do business with them again. Because of this, employees of companies, especially marketing executives, look for a means to be able to produce business cards that are professional and eye-catching at a reasonable price.

This need for business cards brought about a new category of printing, which is business card printing. Companies typically want uniform business cards for their employees. These business cards contain the company’s logo along with the company motto. At first, business cards were printed in black and white. But as the business world dominated people’s lives, the demand for business cards grew, resulting in color printing. Alongside this development in business card printing was the emergence of more sophisticated designs, graphics, and styles for business cards.

Business cards are typically printed on a 1/8 size of print paper. People who want their own business cards can now choose to have a colored business card with a full-color back or a colored print with a back in black and white. The development of digital printing greatly improved the quality of prints. The coating added to business cards, which leaves a shiny finish, is another improvement in business card printing.

The developments in business card printing, however, have resulted in several setbacks. For example, there has been a growing number of fraud cases wherein customers are duped into believing the authenticity of a company’s business because of the good quality of business cards given to them.

By: Seth Miller

Personalized Business Cards – Why They Are Sales Boosters

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:58:42 +0000

Business cards are described as “promotional text containing a person’s name, job title, business address, and contact numbers, usually printed on small rectangular pieces of thin cardboard or stiff paper, and measuring 3-4 inches in length and 2 inches in width.”

Customized stationeries and business cards are means to sell your business or promote your business to prospective customers. Believe it or not, personalized business cards can help your company’s growth not just externally but also internally. You could create good rapport with your employees through these cards.

How so? If you provide every person working for you with his own business cards, he would feel his importance as an employee of your company. The personnel would therefore be motivated to work on their sales and you’ll have one huge workforce working on handing out cards to potential clients.

You have to create a business card that is sort of like a smaller version of a business print ad campaign. And since this is the case, don’t even think about creating a business card using plain white cardboard ordinary black ink. Those types of cards are so ‘yesterday’. They will not have any impact on people; therefore, your business will have very few, if not zero, clients. What you need to do is:

1. Choose uncommon or unique colors, fonts, and messages for your business card.

2. Remember to include not just your business’ name and logo but also other important details. Add, too, relevant information such as your company name and contact details. It is also encouraged that if you have an 800 phone line, include it in your business card as well.

3. Write your company’s description in more than 5 words. This will make potential clients remember what is it your company does exactly.

4. You may also put an emphasis on the particular services of your business.

5. Make your cards legible. Do not mess them up.

6. Most importantly, create your own trademark. This is what will set you apart from all the other businesses similar to yours.

When handing out business cards:

1. Hand them out right away but only when the timing is appropriate.

2. Always remember to carry with you at least three business cards in your purse or wallet. You’ll never know who you’re going to bump into.

Bear in mind that handing out business cards is a two-way street. If you provide someone with your personalized business card and request his/her card in return, you will be provided with something to remember him by, but what’s more important that he can get hold of you whenever he needs to!

Business cards for kids: It’s the way things are done today

admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:47:21 +0000

Today, business cards are just as important thing to have for kids as much as grown ups. This is mainly due to the revolutionary evolution that these cards have taken on. They are no longer just the black and white piece of paper that serves to inform about an address or phone number, but they now carry way more importance and significance than that today.

One of the ways that these cards for kids have been popularly used is for special occasion cards such as birthdays. Using the business card theme instead of the usual birthday card is a new and exciting way to celebrate a special occasion. Since they are no longer just the black and white piece of paper, it presents a unique and creative alternative to designing business and fun cards fit for kids stuff.

Advances in technology have made available the endless possibilities in coming up with designs that is limited only by the human mind’s creative genius. Kids get a free and unhampered option that lets out their fun and creative mind into play as they design or contribute to the design of their own business cards.

The designs of kid’s business cards are often not limited by the conventions of professional business formal cards. It can be printed back to back with short messages displayed on whichever way or side. Kids’ business-looking cards can look like a professional on one side and a special occasion card on the back side.

It is not only for special occasions that business cards can be used. You may have a child that have special abilities or activities and may need to give out these cards like professionals do. Specially designed kid’s cards can give your child the edge and distinct recognition.

If your child is in a school play, giving out informational brochure in the form of these exciting cards is today’s latest trends. Keeping up with these new and revolutionary way of how things are done will definitely boost your child’s advertising and promotional strategy, if you will.

By: Geraldine Anderson

Make Your Business Card More Effective

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:21:30 +0000

In my life I have literally collected thousands of business cards. When I look through them, I hardly remember the person or business at all! Should a business card not reflect who you are and what your business does?

A proper business card is the first piece of marketing literature that is handed out. It should definitely have your name, address, email address and phone number. But I think that most business cards should have more information. Most are very poorly designed.

How could we improve on the basic business card? I was thinking about this and I came up with some suggestions for the back of your business card:

1) Hard to Find Places – a mini map giving directions to your premises

2) Takeaways – a miniature menu – remember the 80/20 rule – top sellers only!

3) What about a testimonial?

4) Retail Outlet – what about a discount on presentation of the card?

Here is another great idea for the back of a business card:

Print:

We met at…

On…

For…

What we discussed…

Referrals…

What about the front?

1) Why not add your picture?

2) Use full colour printing

3) Get a Professional to design it

I firmly believe that all business cards should have a photograph of the person especially now that they are so cheap to produce in full colour. Nobody will ever forget who you are if your picture is on the card!

Your business card is probably the first marketing material you hand out to somebody you meet for the first time. It should create a good impression and be a precursor to a further meeting or conversation by phone.

Business cards are never going to do the selling for you, but they need to transfer the right impression of who you are and what your business does. For this you need to use full colour printing and stay away from the standard black and white cards.

I would advise people to stay away from laminated cards. Many people jot down a short note on the back of the card to help them remember who you are and what was said. They cannot write on a laminated card!

Finally make sure your business card is durable. Pay slightly more for a thicker card. If you can get a cheaper business card for $90 a 1000 and a more expensive better quality of business card for $150 per 1000… and you only hand out 200 business cards a year… go for the better quality one and make sure you hand out a 1000 in the next 12 months!

How many business cards have you received that immediately said to you “I am not going to do business with that person”? Most of them are probably printed in black and white and on thin cards. Some do not even tell you what that persons business does!

Most people underestimate how valuable a business card really is. When you think about the costs involved it really should be used more effectively. Make your business card stand out so that people are more likely to remember you and get in touch.

By: Naz Daud

5 Tips On Making Your Business Card A Powerful Marketing Tool

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:25:50 +0000

When used effectively business cards can be a great marketing tool. In this article we will discuss 5 of the most effective ways that you can use your business cards everyday.

1. Be Creative.

Be creative in the design of your business cards. Business cards do not just need to be bits of paper with your contact details on them. Be creative and give your business cards a use and purpose. Make them a powerful marketing tool in the promotion of your business.

Your aim is to make your business card something that the receiver will want to keep and make use of. This is the difference between a well thought out and designed business card and a piece of paper with your contact details on it that will probably be thrown into the trash.

Give the recipient of your business cards a special offer. For example if you are a school/training centre you may offer ‘first lesson for free with this card’ or if you run a shop maybe you will offer ‘10% of any purchase over $50′.

Whatever your business, there is a creative way to give your business card real value to the receiver. If you can think and implement these new creative ways before your business does, you will have an instant advantage in that area of business, and should definitely see a rise in business if you have promoted you cards correctly.

2. The 1 minute rule

The 1 minute rule basically says, if you talk to a person for longer than 1 minute they should already have one of your business cards in their hand.

This means in conversations you need to find a way to talk about what you do, and be in the position to be able to offer one of your business cards to the person you are talking to in the first minute of conversation. This can be likened to a conversation you may have with someone at the bus stop or on the elevator. The conversation will end in a very short time and you only have a very short time to get your message across, or in this case get your business card to the recipient.

The 1 minute rule is basically just practice to get your business card out there as much as you can. Many people go through all the trouble of ordering business cards just to let them sit in a corner of their office. To use business cards effectively you must be giving them out at every opportunity that you have.

3. Make them keepers

Once you have given your business card to someone what is going to keep it from being thrown in the trash or forgotten about. Unless you are selling necessities it is probably fair to say that most likely they do not need the product/services you are offering at the present moment. Hopefully though in the future will come a time when they are looking for that product/service and that is when your business card still needs to be in the hands of the person.

Why does someone want your business card? If you cannot answer that easily, maybe it is time to think about a new business card design.

Does your business card have valuable information on it? By valuable I mean a map, discount, calendar, measurements, charts or anything relevant to your industry? If it doesn’t, you may want to think about adding a value feature to your business card.

4. Leave them everywhere you go

During a number of trips around a number of businesses in my local area I have noticed piles of business cards on the counters of various businesses. For example a recent trip to my accountant I noticed they had a few piles of business cards on the counter for mortgage lenders, home loans, etc.

This can be likened very much to link swapping that goes on with webmasters looking for business referrals from similar businesses.

Every place that you frequent, you should ask if they mind you leaving a stack of you business card there for their customers. You could try this at your doctors office, your dentist, accountant, lawyer, beauty saloon or hairdresser.

For similar businesses (e.g. accountant > lawyer or money lender) maybe you can arrange to have a stack of their business cards displayed at your business when they offer your business cards at theirs. This can be a very effective way to use you business cards and can have great returns.

5. Ask for an opinion

‘Do you mind if I ask you a quick question? I’m looking for opinions on my new business card’. After asking the question and bringing the topic up hand them a business card. Make sure that they keep it, even if they try to hand it back to you tell them that you have thousands printed already.

Thank the person for their time, and if they ever need the product or service that you are offer that your contact information is on the business card. Even if that person may not directly contact your business, there is always a chance that they may pass your card or business name onto another party.

Even in the worse case they may go home and tell their friend how a nut just came and talked at the bus stop and handed them a business card for his lawn mowing service. That friend may say, ‘I’ve been looking for a good lawn mower’. ‘Here’s the business card I got’. And there is a situation where you may still even get business out of handing your business card to a stranger and even a disinterested stranger.

By following just one of the above five ideas each day, you can turn your business card into a great marketing tool, and see an almost instant increases in business.

By: John Harley

A talking Business Card for Marketing: Stellar Concepts offers Video Business Card Service

admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:29:57 +0000

Since its inception in 1997, Stellar Concepts and Design has been providing marketing, printing, website design, over 350,000 promotional products, various kinds of innovative and effective advertising campaigns and a complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) services for over 10,000 clients nationwide.

Stellar Concepts prides in itself for understanding the technological web-environment and constantly adapting it to bring out the innovative marketing tools for the clients who are always in a track to expand business. And, with the recently added Video Business Card Service to their existing regular business cards service, Stellar only proves to be expanding wider and faster.

A Video Business Card is an exciting new marketing tool. It is a combination of a TV commercial and a business card; the two pillars of marketing.

Interestingly, Video Business Cards have emerged as a latest buzz in the e-Business world. On the one hand, a lagging economy is making some of the big companies go for cost-cuttings while on the other, the small and medium businesses are leaving no stones unturned to go for new marketing tools; a Video Business Card for that matter.

“Sometimes you get only one chance to make a first and lasting impression. Apparently, in this fast and furious world of Internet that is certainly the case. When as large as 1,463,632,361 people are on internet, a Video Business Card on web absolutely makes sense. A dynamic, creative and an engaging video business card is a perfect way to inject personality into your sales page and help customers put a face with a name. The studies on Memory Retention have reported that an average person retains less than 10% of what he ‘sees or hears’ and over 50% of what he ‘sees and hears’,” remarks Anthony Giudice, Stellar Concepts and Design president and founder.

Statistics show that the sales can be increased by 2.5% for every 2,000 cards that are handed out. Apparently, a well designed or digitized business card carries at least 10 times higher prospect than a traditional card.

“The potential customers expect you to have a business card if you are a serious business person. Business cards are the most important marketing tool. The Stellar team is happy to have printed thousands of creative business cards for our clients and help them promote their business. Expanding our wings even wider than before with lots of marketing options, we offer Video Business Cards service in addition to the regular business cards services. A Video Business Card gives an opportunity to meet and greet the potential customers and build a platform for business relations.” Giudice informs.

About Stellar Concepts and Design:

One stop shop for online marketing, SEO, SERM, promotional products, video websites and designs and many more. Stellar offers active Affiliate Marketing program, 10 % of the purchase amount, http://affiliates.stellarconcepts.com/Login.aspx

For more information on Stellar Concept’s scope of services, visit http://stellarconcepts.com.

Contact:

Anthony Giudice, President

954.489.2250

By: Anthony Giudice

Seal that deal with impressive business cards

admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:02:45 +0000

Business cards are like specialized mini-brochure that captures who you are and the business you are trying to sell. They are an important tool to widening your market base and strengthening your foothold. As the market becomes more and more competitive, the need to have a catchy and outstanding business card is as important as the product you are tying to sell.

A lot of thought and brainstorming goes into how a business card is designed with the view of incurring as little cost as possible. A business deal could be lost or gained because of the impression created by a business card. There are even ISO and country standards that business cards are examined by many business entities worldwide which are instrumental in how they deal or whether they would deal with certain companies.

For instance, the English language is still the internationally accepted standard language in business. However, if you are giving your business card to businesses that do not understand the English language or are biased to their country’s language, you should have the specific regional language in order to look good.

Having this important detail in your business card may not cost so much as the benefit that it can bring. In fact could help win approval in that particular country or region and resulting in bringing forth potentially profitable business opportunities. Striking the right impression the first time they see your card may just be the thing that makes them want to contact you.

If you are looking for an effective way to communicate with more clients and gain positive results, then you have to know how to create them using the business cards. It is still one of the most powerful and cost-effective marketing tools that literally within your fingertips. The information and anything else that you put into your business cards must be carefully thought of.

By: Geraldine Anderson

Exchanging Business Cards: Etiquette Tips

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:58:39 +0000

Some people think you should give your business card to anyone that will take it. Others say to only give it to people who ask for it. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your business card printing budget on people who are just going to throw your card away anyway.

The key to getting people to want your business card is to ask them for theirs first. Most likely, that person will ask for your business card in return. Then your card can get to work for you and you can work on making a new business contact.

Once you get a business card, there are some etiquette rules you should follow. Read on to learn how to take and give a business card with style and grace.

After engaging in small talk with someone new, ask them for their business card. Most people are pleased when asked for their business card and they’ll be happy to give it to you. This opens up the opportunity for them to ask you for yours in return. If they don’t ask you for yours though, don’t be pushy. After all, you still have their contact information now so you have an open door of communication.

Thank the other person for giving you her card. When you get a business card, say thanks and take time to read it – front and back. It’s nice to comment on the card; you can comment about the card design, beautiful colors used or the logo. If the business card is less than stellar, and you can’t make a comment, ask a question instead. No, not “Why did you pick this hideous green?” But ask them how long they’ve been in their position or with their particular company. If something is missing from the card, like an email address or Web site, ask for it then and there and add it to the card.

Ask if you can contact that person. Even though you assume it’s okay to contact the other person since they just gave you their card, it’s professional etiquette to ask to contact them. You don’t need to ask that directly though; one good way of asking for permission is to ask for the best way to contact that person – phone, email – or what time is best to contact. This way you’re showing respect and you’ll be remembered for that respect.

Don’t launch into your sales pitch when they ask for your card. Asking for your card is not asking about your latest and greatest product. Never try to sell something while exchanging business cards unless you’ve been specifically asked for more information about your product.

Send a note within two days. You can either mail them a card or send them an email to say you enjoyed meeting them. Jot down something you talked about to jog their memory. If the person didn’t ask for your business card, you can send it to them in the note. Sending an actual card or note through snail mail is more personal than email, and the person is more likely to remember you because of it.

Keep all business cards you collect in a Rolodex or file. You can even buy a business card album that has business-card–sized pockets. You never know when you’re going to need their business! You can file them in alphabetical order by name, or you can file by occupation or industry. This makes it easier to contact someone in the future.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Business Card Printing

By: karen grahams