This powerful business article is a guest post from Melissa Crowe, VP of VistaPrint.com

Don’t underestimate the power of the business card and what it can do for you. A business card is you when you can’t be there, and portrays the personality and image of your company. A well-crafted card can make your company memorable.

The following 10 tips will explain how to design a business card that will serve as an effective sales and marketing tool, while properly conveying your company’s Unique Selling Proposition.

1) Customize and Create

Anyone can hand out a cookie cutter business card, but the business that expresses its message and personality through its card will have the edge on the competition. Put on your creative thinking cap and customize every detail of your card according to the audience you are marketing to and the services you are marketing. Unlike the old days, cards can now easily be customized online so you won’t have to leave your home or office.

2) Avoid Flimsy Cards

A thin, flimsy card signals that you put little thought and even less effort into it. Use high-quality cards with a glossy or matte finish for a sharp look that will call your audience to action. You can also use vertical business cards to stand out among your competitors.

3) Use the Back of Your Card

It’s important to leverage your business card as much as possible, so use all available space including the back. While the backside content should be secondary in importance to contact information, options include coupons, calendars, appointment cards, product information, or customer testimonials. Don’t waste that important marketing space.

4) Add a Face to the Name

Adding your photo to a business card can be a great way to build professional relationships, especially if you’re in an industry where the personal touch is important. Trust is a key to a lasting and profitable business relationship, and giving your organization a face can help this along.

5) Don’t Forget the Basics

It may seem obvious, but some people fail to list all necessary information on their business cards. The basic elements of a business card include name, title, company name and web address, and all contact information including fax number. Try not to list more than one phone number on your card, as too much information causes confusion. Lead with your company’s name and space permitting, include a clear, concise positioning statement or tagline.

6) Colorful Cards

The color of your card should be tailored to the type of business you represent and your target audience. And of course it should reflect the look and feel of your website. Make sure your cards are full-color to cast a bright, eye-catching image. Avoid using hard-to-read yellow business cards.

7) Different Cards for Different Folks

If you sell to several distinct niches, consider creating more than one business card design. For example, a floral business could tailor one card to target the wedding industry and another for the funeral industry. The small amount of money spent developing the additional cards will be well spent.

Font Size Matters

Never use font smaller than 8 points on your business card. Cards that have their readers reaching for eyeglasses will only cause frustration. While it’s great to be stylish, avoid using an ultra-fancy font that’s on the verge of being illegible. Make sure the print on your card blends properly with its background color and design.

9) Brag About Yourself

Proudly list any awards, degrees, or notable achievements on your card. Credibility boosters like these can only enhance your contact’s interest in doing business with you.

10) Don’t Break the Bank

Business cards are worth every penny, but you don’t have to spend a chunk of your marketing budget on them. Search for free business card offers and enlist the services of a company that can produce high-quality yet affordable cards. If you’re a small- or home-business owner, work with a company that allows card orders in small-business-friendly quantities.

No matter your budget, these simple tips will help you to create business cards that put you and your business on the profitable road to customer retention and acquisition.

If you haven’t already claimed your 250 complimentary business cards from VistaPrint, click here to do so now.

~ Courtesy of the Internet Marketing Center
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