The Next Generation of Business Cards
Nov 16th, 2008 by admin
Regardless of technology and how far the Internet takes us, there will always be a need for business cards. I mean, think about it. What are you supposed to hand a potential new client that you just met at the supermarket or on a plane? A laptop? They’re busy, too, and are not going to memorize your telephone number or URL on the spot. And if they jot it down somewhere, chances are it will simply get lost. That’s why you need to have business cards, and you should carry a supply with you at all times. People have a natural tendency to hang on to these – either placing them in their wallets for future reference or some other business card organizer. It’s like an unspoken common business courtesy or etiquette.
All business cards should contain the critical details: your name and title; your company’s name, street and e-mail address; Web site URL; phone and fax numbers; and your logo and tagline.
Not to beat the issue to death, but as entrepreneurs we often need to get creative to get results. So don’t be afraid to take some chances with your business cards. Think about the services you provide or products you sell. Is there some way you can tie the theme into your cards? For example, a business consultant could stick business cards to packages of flower seeds (using rubber cement). On the card itself one side could have contact details, while the other might say something along the lines of “Helping to grow flourishing businesses.”
Or jump into the green scene and consider cards made from recycled paper. Your note on the back could say “Please hang onto for future reference. But if you absolutely must, please remember to recycle. It does a planet good.” Crazy Leaf Design has a post on their blog showing some really interesting business card ideas – from one made to look like a price tag to those with tabs for easy wallet retrieval.
While your creative juices might be flowing, still err on the side of caution – and practicality. Business cards should fit easily fit in one’s wallet or card holder, so don’t go oversized, thick or otherwise cumbersome. As John Williams of LogoYes.com says in an article on Entrepreneur “Function overrides form.” And he is 100 percent right. There will be other promotional opportunities where you can do something a bit more elaborate such as a desk calendar that features your logo or a stress ball with your Web site address.
One final comment… Stay away from business cards made out of leather, fur or some other material gathered through cruel and unusual practices. PETA will thank you. I’ll thank you. And those cute little (and big) creatures will thank you.
End of public service announcement. >>wink<<
Darn.
I’m gonna hafta get rid of all my whaleskin business cards, now. And they cost me a fortune. (But they were way cheaper than the scrimshaw I use to hand out.)
But seriously, I leave my business cards — made from genuine recycled confetti from NY Giants Super Bowl victory ticker tape parades — everywhere. If I’m on travel, I leave them in restaurants and bars. (I leave them in the check billfold.) I leave them on the counter of any store I patronize. Even if another customer doesn’t pick it up, perhaps one of the employees will. You never know. And of course, I hand them out to any person I strike up a conversation with.
Cards are too inexpensive to worry about “wasting” them. the only way to waste money on business cards is not to use them.
I agree with Joe that business cards are too inexpensive and too effective to not give them out every chance you get. And if all the critical info makes the card look crowded, don’t forget about double-sided printing. It’s really not that much more expensive than one-sided, and with the neater, cleaner look, it’ll be well worth it.
Business Card Design Ideas…
In a time of dwindling budgets, many people go back to what has always worked. And business cards are one of those marketing tools that always work because they’re simple and people know how they work. Techies might disagree and think email and conta…..