[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The business card is a necessary marketing and contact tool for anyone in business. Heaven forbid you should be in a situation and caught without your business card. Not only do you look unprofessional but you also look unprepared and risk not being able to turn this inquirer into a customer.
“But I have Instagram and Facebook” you might say. Sure, this is a time where most people are finding products and services through social media, but this is what I will say about that. Yes, it is necessary to be where your customers are but remember once your customer looks you up on social media, they may be shown many other accounts and ads that are similar to your business (remember big brother is always listening and watching). When presented with the opportunity, make sure a customer can also have something that leads them directly to you, your phone number, business address, website and email address.
The Electronic Business Card
Now – here is where you should get a bit more creative. Let’s face it. Once you give out a business card, chances are it gets dropped, lost in someone’s car center console, crumpled in a pocket, or in the bottom of someone’s purse making friends with coins, gum, makeup and purse dirt. It’s true, we’ve all done it. Worse yet, when someone does find your card, it may be in a pile of other cards blending in with the rest. Here are my recommendations when having your business cards designed.
- First – Head to Vistaprint to get business card design guidelines. This is CRUCIAL!!!! You want to make sure that you give this to the designer so that they don’t add text or graphics outside of the print area.
- Use companies like Vistaprint ONLY for printing purposes I would steer clear of the design yourself tool unless you are great at this.
- Make sure you have your logo designed BEFORE designing your business card – remember the logo is going on the card.
- Get someone to design your business card for you. FIVERR is AMAZING for this and the prices are extremely reasonable
- Try something new such as staying away from the traditional white background
- Let’s think about this for a second – if you have a stack of business cards you have collected over time, toss them out on the table and let your eye naturally draw you to a few. Ask yourself, why did you pick them up first? Chances are there was something on the card that drew you to it.
Be sure to check out my blog on designing a logo for tips on getting a logo designed
Now for what you will do different.
- When asked for a business card, you can give them one however invite them to take a photo with their smart phone. This is going to do two things. This will ensure they do not lose it but it will also allow them to pass your information along and quickly.
Here is something I like to say:
Potential or Current Customer – Hey do you have a business card?
Me – I sure do but I can also send it to you if you prefer. This way you don’t have to worry about keeping track of it and if you have anyone else in need of my services – it’s at your fingertips to share.
Just about everyone takes the electronic version and I keep it handy in my phone (in a photo file called Business) to send immediately. This also allows me to save their number as well as an email if they provide me with one and some notes about them so I don’t forget.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][gem_image style=”5″ src=”24729″ alt=”Phone Contact”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][gem_image style=”5″ src=”24730″ alt=”Phone Contact”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Once you have gotten your business card designed, then this would be a great time to head over to VistaPrint to get your cards printed.
Conserving Cards
You can order any number of business cards you like. If you are the type of person who also attends events, here is a little trick I use as a piggyback on my earlier suggestion. Get creative and frame your business card in an 8″x10″ frame with a creative note encouraging guests to take a photo of your business card. Additionally, create a free QR code to add to your card which potential customers can scan to be taken right to your site! You can also place this at the reception desk in your place of business.
Don’t be to design something unique and memorable!
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