High Quality Business Cards Start at $72.50 for 1000 4/1 Gloss Text /UV 

50 Surefire Business Card Tips

Business cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:

 Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or your company do.

• Order them in large numbers. By ordering 1000 your cost per card will be significantly lower than if you ordered 500.

• Even if you can produce your business cards at home using an inkjet printer, have your business cards professionally made by a printing company. Your business card will be the first impression your prospects receive of your business, so let them convey the best possible one.

• Avoid using standard clip art as your business logo. A logo brings credibility and brand awareness, so before you invest in business cards have a logo professionally made for your business. Nowadays, there are graphic designers that can produce a professional logo for as little as $35, so there is no excuse for not having one made.

• Put up a website and use the URL in your business cards. If you don't have a website, people will notice the absence of a web address in your business card and, depending on the business you are in, it may make you lose credibility.

• Keep all the information in your business card current. If you changed address or phone number, don't scratch the old number and write down the new one by hand; get new business cards.

• Keep your business card simple. Don't use too many fonts or try to cram too much information in it. Try to use a pleasant layout and make sure that your main message (your tagline or your unique selling proposition) doesn't get lost.

• If you live in the US, limit your business card size to 3.5" x 2". Anything bigger will not fit in standard card holders and your card may end up in the trash. Business cards in Europe tend to be larger, but so are the wallets and card holders.

• Make sure that your business card reflects your image. If you are an artist or a graphic designer, it is OK to use trendy colors and fonts. If you are an investment banker, a sober layout and colors such as blue or gray work better.

• Your business card is an integral part of your brand or corporate identity strategy. It should follow the same graphics standards as the rest of your communications material (stationary, brochures, letterheads, etc.).

• Find a way to make your business cards stand out. I've seen business cards with one of its corners cut in an angle, or with an interesting texture, all of which makes your business card stand out of the crowd. The best one I've seen is from an interior designer, who used a hologram to show a room before and after a redesign.

• Make your business card easy to read: use high contrast between the background and the type. Light background with dark type works better.

• After your logo, your name should be the largest piece of information on your card.

• Make sure that all the information on your card is printed in a large enough typeface to be easily readable.

• Run your business card copy through a spell checker and double-check your contact information.

• Keep your business cards with you at all times. Keep a stack in your car, in your house, in your office, and in your wallet.

• Leave your business cards in billboards at supermarkets, schools, stores, libraries, etc. v

• When giving away your card, give two or three at a time, so that your contacts can in turn distribute them to other people. This will not only help you distribute them faster, but will generate a beneficial "endorsing effect".

• Include a business card with all your correspondence. People may throw away the letter, but will usually keep the business card.v

• Make your business card go the extra mile: use the back of the card to print more information: special offers, checklists, schedules, etc.

• Throw in a business card in every product you ship.

• Send a business card with any gift you send, instead of just a card with your name.

• Scan your card and use it as an attachment to emails.

• Use your business cards as name tags. Get a transparent plastic cover with a pin, and attach it to your lapel. Wearing it on your right side tends to make it more noticeable.

• Use your business card as a name tag on your briefcase. Make sure that your company logo and tagline are visible. This way, your business card will turn into a "conversation piece" during plane rides, which may help you meet interesting people and good business contacts.

• Use your business card as an ad: many publications offer "business card size" classified ads. If you design your business card properly, it can double up as an ad in those publications.

• Don't give your business card too quickly. It may be perceived as pushy. Try to establish a conversation with your prospect first. For example, ask them what do they do. That will usually prompt them to give you their card. That is the perfect moment to give them yours.

• Don't try to give your card in situations where many people are giving them to your prospect. Wait for a moment when you can capture your prospect's attention span.

• Another tactic you can try when your prospect is overwhelmed and can't pay you enough attention is to send your card by mail. Pretend you ran out of business cards and ask for theirs. Then, mail them your card and take the opportunity to drop a follow up note.

• If you have a mobile phone number or a direct phone number that is not listed in your business card, write it at the back of your card before handing it out, and tell your prospect that you are giving them your direct number. This will make your card more important, and less likely to be lost or thrown out.

• Another way of increasing the chances that your prospect will keep your card is by printing valuable information on the back, for example important phone numbers (local police, hospitals, etc), a calendar, or a football schedule.

• Offer to hand out cards of complementary (non-competitive) business people in exchange for them distributing yours. An example of non-competitive businesses is real estate brokers and mortgage brokers.

• If somebody gives you their business card, you should give them yours in return.

• Always give your business card face up.

• Take a cue from Far East business people, who hand out business cards with both hands. It helps give the impression that your business card is something very important.

• If you conduct business internationally, use the back of your card to print a translated version of your business card in your customers' language. Even if they have no problem reading English, it will be a classy touch and they will appreciate it.

• If you sell different product brands and want to put their logos on your business card, print them in only one color. Using each logo's brand colors could make your business card look chaotic and busy.

• Create a business card in magnet form. Magnets are widely used, to hold important papers on the refrigerator door at home and on file cabinets at work. They are always visible and always get read.

• When receiving somebody else's business card, don't put it away immediately. Instead, keep it in your hand for a while you talk to your prospect, or place it neatly over the table, and try to develop a conversation based on the information on the card.

• Use the back of the cards you receive to write down important facts about the persons who handed them to you. It will help you enormously when you follow up with them.

• If you are in a profession where relationship selling is important, it may be a good idea to include your picture in your business card (i.e. real estate brokers).

• Even if your business is a sole proprietorship, you can still use "account manager" as your title instead of "owner" or "president". If you do sales (and we all do) "account manager" is a perfectly appropriate title, and it will give the impression that you work for a larger company.

• Use logos of organizations that you or your business belong to in your business cards. They are an easy way to provide instant credibility to your business. For example, if you operate a repair shop you can display the logo of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or the Triple A (AAA). (Check with them first about the terms of use).

• If you participate in affiliate programs online, you can still use business cards to promote your affiliate links. Use the name of the affiliate company as the company name, use 'partner' or 'associate' as your title, and the URL of the directory or web page where you have placed your affiliate links as your web address. Just because affiliate programs are online doesn't mean that you can't use off-line marketing methods to promote them.

• If you need to give cards to different kinds of prospects (for example if you are a student looking for work), make business cards with just your name and contact information, and attach custom made self-adhesive labels at the back with information of interest to each specific prospect.

• Include an information email address (for example: info@yourdomain.com) that is set in autoresponder mode, that automatically triggers an email message with full information about your product, service or company. This will increase the effectiveness of your business card since you will give your prospect much more information that you can fit in a card.

• Take good care of your business cards. Keep them clean and crisp in a cardholder. Don't give away cards that are bent or damaged.

• Try to get a cardholder with two pockets. That way, you can use one for your business cards and the other one for the business cards you receive.

• Keep all the business cards you receive neatly organized in a rolodex. It will save you time and will provide you with a database of contacts with whom to build positive business relationships.

• Collect all the business cards you can find, even if you don't need them. Together, they will act as an "idea file" that will provide you with valuable tips that you can use to design your business cards.

Do Your Business Cards Say Who You Really Are?

Here are a couple of tips for creating an eye catching card:Use some color - not too much - just enough to grab someone's attention and make them want to read the card.

Use a font that's easy to read

Don't fill the whole card with type - it looks crowded and people don't read it all

Consider using a fold-over card - I have found these to be extremely effective for a number of reasons:

a) If a handful of business cards are dropped on a desk only the fold over cards stand up above the rest

b) The fold over card is still unique - not many people use them

c) I use mine as a mini brochure - inside it tells about my qualifications, services I offer and skills I have, the front has my name, phone #'s, email address, URL and postal address

Another popular addition is your photo - this makes you seem more approachable and friendly (if your business is one where you deal directly with the public I suggest you consider adding a photo)

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How to make sure your cards are really working for you?Have a goal to give away AT LEAST 5 CARDS A DAY to build your network:

Leave one with a tip for a waitress

When you "check in" at the doctor or dentist reception desk don't spell your name - give your card

Carry them in your pocket when you walk the dog and hand one out to people you stop and chat with

Make sure all your children's friends parents know what you do and have your card

Ask someone else for their card and give them yours (you can build your mailing list and get some exposure at the same time)

Enclose your card with each bill you pay

Each time you buy something (even at the drugstore) leave your card and say something simple like "I design Internet websites if you have any questions about how you can make money on the Internet please call me"

Put the cards on community bulletin boards

When you attend trade shows drop your card in EVERY box - yes you will get put on lots of mailing lists, but you'll also receive some business too - you'd be surprised

Give a card to the gas station attendant, grocery store clerk, video store worker, hostess at a restaurant when you give your name for a seat reservation

If you overhear a conversation about your industry say "I'm sorry but I couldn't help overhear part of your conversation if you ever need more information on the topic, here's my card"

Offer to speak at your school's career day and give each student a card - they do have parents who may need what you have to offer

Leave some cards with your stationery store manager - very often they get requests from small business people for different kinds of help - if you leave your cards you'll be first on the list to be called

If you ever go anywhere there is entertainment leave your card with the entertainer - and tell them how much you've enjoyed their performance

While some of the ideas above may seem "silly" you won't know until you try if they'll work for you - and all of the people listed above may not want what you're offering BUT they all have family, friends and co-workers who just might.

4 Ways To Make Your Business Cards Work For You 

Sure, everyone needs business cards. But why not make your business card do double or triple the work of an average business card.

Here are 4 proven ways to supercharge your business card into a powerful business tool.

1. Use the back of the card to include sales info. Good marketers know that customers need to be reminded at every opportunity how your product or service will help them. Even though business cards are small, you can still include some information on the back of the card that will remind customers how you are unique, better, and valuable. You could include a short bullet list of features and benefits. You could display some stats and figures, mention awards your product has won, or list a brief testimonial or two. Just a little bit of extra sales information can make a big difference in building relationships and encouraging sales.

2. Use the back of the card as an appointment card. Dr.'s and dentists do this frequently. But other bus-inesses can use the same concept. Sales people of all kinds, Realtors, consultants, professionals and more can use the back of their business cards as an appointment card. This is a good idea for several reasons. First of all, it increases the likelihood that a prospect will keep your card close by - at least until you have the appointment. Second, it gives you a reason to give customers more than one business card. The more cards they have the more likely they are to always have one handy when they need it. This is especially important if they are referring you to a friend or relative. They may have an extra card of yours laying around that they can give to someone.

3. Use the back of the card as a map to your store. Maps are important for people who are new to the area, or people who aren't familiar with your part of town. Also, with just a mailing address listed on the front of the card many people don't know exactly where you are. A map will clear that up and again help increase the chances of them hanging on to your card

4. Place a 12-month calendar on the back of your card. This is a very clever technique that is sure to have people keeping your card handy at all times. Believe it or not a 12-month calendar fits nicely on the back of a standard size business card. I remember when I got my first card that had a calendar on the back of it. It was from an insurance salesman and I literally kept it by my desk at all times. I found it to be much quicker to glance at this card than to thumb through a wall calendar or even to visit Outlook. Each time I picked up the card I remembered who had given it to me. This practice is applicable to any business and in any industry.

Using even one of these 4 tips will greatly enhance the impact that you business card will have. With just a little creative you can turn your business card from a necessary evil, to a powerful tool.