Business Cards: You Need Them
In this day and age, with so much being done online, it`s easy to overlook the whole offline marketing side of things. Despite the fact that you may (as I do) spend most of your time staring at a computer screen, there are very few of us who NEVER meet new people. That`s where business cards come in.
Your business card is a way to make people remember you and it`s a socially acceptable method of passing on information. You should always keep some cards on hand to give out and then make sure you give them to everyone you meet. Yes, everyone. You`ve heard of Six Degrees of Separation, right? Well, you never know if the butcher`s son might know someone who could become a major client, so don`t hesitate to give those cards out.
What to Put On Your Business Card
What you do. Consider that it`s quite possible your card will find its way into the hands of a person who doesn`t know you. Would they understand what you`re about by looking at your business card? Make sure you have something to indicate what it is you do on the card. If someone just picked it up off the street, they should be able to see at a glance why they might want to contact you.
Contact info. The more the merrier. Some people (ahem, me!) detest using the phone, but would happily email you. Others might want to check out a website before they make a real move to contact you, so make sure everything is on there . . . or keep it simple and put a website address, but make sure that your contact info is easily found on the site.
Your name. Sure, your business name is what you want people to notice, but you need to personalize the business card or it`s just another piece of paper. With your name there, they will feel that they have a connection to a real person, not just a business entity.
Something interesting. A logo, a photo or a neat border can all add interest to an otherwise boring card. Make it stand out. Often people collect quite a few cards, so you want yours to jump up and yell, “Look at me!”
Where to Get Business Cards
You can print your own up, of course, but if you want to be really professional, there are some excellent options out there.
VistaPrint has free business cards where you only pay the shipping. They are a good option for wahms on a budget and can be an excellent way to get started.
And when in doubt, something unique is likely to catch people`s attention. For graphic artists, photographers and just about anyone who has a business with visual products, I like MooCards. They are really cute and let people SEE what you do. You can even use photos from your Flickr account.
Popout business cards are another unique idea that would get people`s attention.
Ultimate Business Cards is a site that offers some really unique card types including transparent business cards and brushed aluminum . . . both of which would really make your cards stand out. These come at a price though, so they might not be very practical for the average home business owner.
These 3D holographic business cards are awesome, though probably too pricey for most work at home moms. Still, fun to look at!
Do you use business cards?
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