The Complete Guide to Business Cards - allBcards

The Complete Guide to Business Cards A STEP BY STEP GUIDE to business card content, design, printing and distribution

Spread the word about the power of networking with business cards.

Š Copyright Sept. 2014 www.allBcards.com Written and designed by Oswaldo Zapata Looking forward to connect with you: www.linkedin.com/in/oswaldozapata

Introduction Do you exchange business cards regularly but feel that you are not getting the positive results you expect from your efforts? Are you planning to order new business cards but you are afraid to lose valuable time and money? Yes? Then, this book is for you!

The Complete Guide to Business Cards will teach you everything you need to know about business card content, design, printing and distribution.

On the following pages you will learn what to include on your business card, how to design it so prospects remember you, what printing companies to use, and how to outline a distribution strategy to attract the loyal customers you need to build a successful business.

In our next eBook in this series, The Complete Guide to Business Networking, I will tell you about etiquette in exchanging business cards, best practices for successful networking, how to manage the business cards you receive, and how to stay on the minds of prospects and potential referrals.

These guides will teach you the best tips and tricks for successful business networking as discovered over the years, and they will describe how to avoid common networking pitfalls that can impair your business.

Each comprehensive guide is unique. In addition to complete coverage on how to create a successful business card along with details and helpful tips on how to successfully network, these guides are the first books in their genre to fully address recent developments the Internet has brought about that affect the design and usage of traditional business cards.

Following are questions these guides will help you answer: Do I still need a phone number on my business card, or is my email address enough? Do I need to include social media contacts on my business card? How can I store information from my business cards on my smartphone, to take with me wherever I go? When following up with a prospect, should I send an email or make a phone call? How can I stay on the minds of my business contacts? These are currently the only books on the market to systematically cover these topics given today’s changing business landscape.

Follow the useful tips in these guides, and I guarantee you in the next couple of months you will begin to see your network expand and your business grow. I hope you will apply these ideas to your new business card design and experience amazing results.

How to read this guide: Rather than read this guide entirely, it may be more productive if you search in the content for relevant topics. Keep in mind, these eBooks are business handbooks and not works of literature! —Oswaldo Zapata

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Contents 1. Why Business Cards in Today’s Market? ................................................................................................ 5 Importance Today ................................................................................................................................... 6 History ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 2. What Should I Include On My Business Card? ...................................................................................... 12 Name ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Job Title ................................................................................................................................................. 17 Company Name ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Phone .................................................................................................................................................... 23 Email ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 Company’s Tagline ................................................................................................................................ 29 Personal Tagline .................................................................................................................................... 32 Calls to Action ....................................................................................................................................... 35 Logo ....................................................................................................................................................... 37 Social Media .......................................................................................................................................... 40 Photo ..................................................................................................................................................... 43 QR Codes ............................................................................................................................................... 46 Address.................................................................................................................................................. 49 Back ....................................................................................................................................................... 52 3. How to Design Better Business Cards ................................................................................................... 55 Keep It Simple ....................................................................................................................................... 57 Shapes ................................................................................................................................................... 60 Colors .................................................................................................................................................... 64 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 67 Fonts...................................................................................................................................................... 69 Paper ..................................................................................................................................................... 72 Other Materials ..................................................................................................................................... 75 DON'Ts .................................................................................................................................................. 78 4. Online and Offline Business Card Printing ............................................................................................ 80 DOs ........................................................................................................................................................ 82 Prices ..................................................................................................................................................... 87 Online vs Offline .................................................................................................................................... 89 Free ....................................................................................................................................................... 92 5. Your Business Card Distribution Plan .................................................................................................... 95 Why a Distribution Plan? ...................................................................................................................... 96 By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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Strategies .............................................................................................................................................. 99

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1. Why Business Cards in Today’s Market?

“Even in today's digital world, a great business card is a must if you want to optimize your business.”

—Nancy Fox, Author of Network Like a Fox

Do you know the key to a successful business card? It’s not what you are thinking. Sure, contact information and a creative design are important, but these elements alone will not guarantee your success.

So, what is the key?

The key to a successful business card is found in a number of small but important elements. These elements are not necessarily hard to execute, but first you need to learn them. That is why I have written this guide: to help you create a successful business card and explain how to use it to effectively network.

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Importance Today Do you know how many business cards are printed every year? Millions? Tens of millions? No! Many, many more!

A study performed in the United States concluded that more than 10 billion business cards are printed in this country every year! Yes, ten billion! That’s a huge number: 10 billion = 10,000,000,000. Amazing, isn’t it? This means that approximately 33 business cards are printed every year for every single person living in the United States, babies and children included! That’s only in the United States.

If you add to this number to the number of business cards that are printed in the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, India, China, Japan, other Asian countries, Latin America, the Gulf region, and other entrepreneurial countries, we are referring to hundreds of billions of business cards printed every year around the world. This is phenomenal!

Did you know that 100,000,000,000+ business cards are printed worldwide every year?

In spite of these incredible figures, some people maintain that business cards are out of date. For them, business cards are a relic from the pre-digital age.

Business card detractors believe that modern technologies associated with the Internet are overcoming the previous hassle in creating and exchanging business cards. Some of them proudly boast that they stopped using business cards several years ago and that now they simply send an email, a LinkedIn invitation to connect, or a WhatsApp message. The most extreme advocates of this drastic decision affirm that if someone is really interested in getting in touch with them, he or she will find a way besides business cards to do so; maybe by searching for them on Google.

Less enthusiastic supporters of this radical view say that business cards are indeed not yet dead―they see them as a necessary evil―but nevertheless they are convinced that business cards will be off the market in the near future.

Most business card critics are younger entrepreneurs who do not want to spend their valuable time using old-fashioned methods that may not be successful.

Before engaging in new business relationships, they want to be certain there is a minimum commitment from their new connections.

If you want to read more about the arguments for and against the use of traditional business cards, take a look at these two articles: bit.ly/con-bcardsBy allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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amerland and bit.ly/con-bcards-serwin. The debates at the bottom of the articles are very interesting.

There is a problem with this limited view of what a business card is, its purpose, and its full potential in the business milieu.

No one denies that the Internet has transformed the way we do business; from the information we include on our business cards to the way we follow up and keep in touch with our contacts. However, the versatility and unique qualities of a business card and the rich significance of its exchange make it an irreplaceable tool.

It is a common mistake to think that business cards are no more than a practical means to communicate your contact information to people you meet in person.

The truth is, on this small piece of paper (or a less common material), you include not only your name, what you do, and your contact details, but you also tell others how much you care about your business, how much you respect your clients and customers, your values and business philosophy, why you are in business, and how much you value your business partners.

Another impalpable trait of a business card is its capacity to create a lasting impression on your prospects. When your potential client or customer takes your business card home, it resonates with them time and time again. The intangible qualities shown on your business card stay on your prospects’ minds and revive the very moment you presented it to them.

Business cards are unique because of their symbolic power. You can share so many aspects about you and your business with a little ink on a 3.5� x 2� piece of paper! Your business card materializes an interlinked, complex net of meanings that goes beyond the simple exchange of contact information.

These are only some of the untouchable attributes that a business card holds, that no mobile app can compete with. I will delve more deeply into these qualities in the following sections. I will unravel for you the marketing and networking secrets within this tiny piece of paper.

Conclusion Just because some techy enthusiasts claim there is little value in exchanging business cards, it does not mean you should not have yours.

Find out for yourself if your target market is using them. Mingle with your clients and customers, talk to them, understand them; only then will you know if it makes sense to order the business cards that you will be handing to them in the future. There are a few business people in narrow niche markets that may find the use of business cards irrelevant, but you will find most people cannot do business without them. Do your research and decide accordingly.

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Due to their unique symbolic attributes, in the near future I do not see a substitute to business cards. Traditional business cards and digital Internet developments are becoming complementary. The two worlds are converging and giving rise to an optimal solution entrepreneurs must have. allBcards is moving in that direction!

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History Today, business cards are ubiquitous. Wherever you go, business cards are available and readily exchanged.

You have certainly received dozens if not hundreds or thousands of them. You keep them at home and in your office. They are everywhere: systematically sorted out in your business card holders, or chaotically populating in the bottom drawers of your desk or inside a book you have not opened for years. From time to time, you find a business card that you forgot you received. Its revival may spark some interest.

Not only do you receive and collect business cards regularly, you also distribute your own business cards to every potential customer or client you meet. When you leave your home, you check to make sure you have business cards with you, and you feel lost when you run out.

Business cards are here to stay, and new social media and mobile app solutions are paradoxically having a positive impact on orders for business cards by entrepreneurs around the world.

Business cards have been around for at least four centuries ‌ and counting!

You may be curious about the history of business cards. When and where were the first business cards produced? Who were those visionaries that introduced this tiny yet mighty marketing and relationship tool? What were they thinking about? What were the benefits of using early business cards? Have things evolved over time?

There is no certainty about the origin of the business card, but there is a wide consensus about a few key points. This is how the story goes: Paper was invented in ancient China about two thousand years ago. For centuries, paper was widely used in the commercial environment; most notably but not limited to banknotes.

It has been suggested that business cards were also invented in China and by the 15th century they were commonly used. However, these cards were not used for commercial purposes, so they were not exactly what we call business cards today. A more appropriate name is “visiting card.�

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When an elite member of the Chinese society was visiting an acquaintance and it happened that the person was absent or unwilling to receive visits, it was common practice to leave a piece of paper with a note on it. The handwritten note specified the name of the visiting person and the purpose of his or her visit.

Since the printing process was not yet a diffused technique and considering that this was a proper custom of the upper class, we can imagine that these were handmade cards with beautiful designs, plenty of colors, and delicate calligraphy.

It might read, “Mr. Xi would be honored to meet thou.”

Later, this custom reappeared. Perhaps imported from China or reinvented, oligarchs from 16th-century France had a similar practice. Distinguished people used to leave a small card with their name and the purpose of their visit for the person they wanted to meet.

By the same time, in the UK business owners were using cards to spread the word about their businesses. These cards were known as “trade cards.”

History indicates that the business card as we know it today was well established in 19th-century England, the cradle of modern capitalism. With the booming entrepreneurial spirit of the time and the subsequent growing competition, shop and business owners began thinking about new ways to promote their products and services. With the commercialization of the standard printing press, they ordered business cards and distributed them in front of their shops and to people they met. The idea was to give the business card to as many people as possible.

The evidence suggests that in America the business card was received with enthusiasm by the most advanced entrepreneurial groups. The idea spread rapidly to the rest of the society. Early business cards were very simple: black ink on white or ivory paper. Unique fonts and simple designs were the main visual variations used to set business cards apart.

By the end of the 19th century, the printing process improved considerably and business cards started to look more like present day business cards. Colors were added and some graphic elements made business cards still more attractive.

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During the first part of the twentieth century, but particularly after WWII and the flourishing economy that followed in most Western countries, business cards began to permeate society as a whole. Small business owners and executives alike used their business cards on a daily basis to start business relationships with potential consumers and business partners.

With the advent of the digital age and the proliferation of smartphones, the business card is reinventing itself.

If you’re interested in learning more about the origin of the business card, Dr. Ivan Misner talks about it in the first pages of his book, It’s in the Cards!

Click here to view our gallery of vintage business cards on Pinterest.

Conclusion Since its inception several centuries ago―whether in oligarchic Beijing or Paris, or in entrepreneurial London―the business card has become an integral part of the modern business scene. In many industries it is mandatory to have a business card and that you are prepared to give them to the countless prospects you will meet during the day.

In the following chapters you will learn how to make the most out of your business card, from content and design to printing. I will also tell you how to create an effective marketing and distribution plan.

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2. What Should I Include On My Business Card?

“Business cards are the single most powerful business tool, dollar for dollar, that you can invest in to help build and promote your business.”

—Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder & Chairman of Business Networking International

Do you suppose the person you met the other day kept your business card? For how long? Maybe they kept it a couple of days or even a week or two. And then what?

The fact is, most business cards end up in a shoebox, piled up in the back corner of a desk, or at the bottom of a dusty drawer. They tend to hang around until the point the receiver becomes aware that they are completely unnecessary, and then they are thrown away.

The question is: when do people throw away our business cards, and why?

The reasons are many, and most of them can be avoided. The good news is that you can improve your tactics so your business cards are retained longer and used by our prospects.

The first reason business cards are tossed is associated with an attitude. We need to give business cards the attention they deserve. Most of us ignore the power of an effective business card. We do not care enough about our business card design, content, and quality.

Second, the power of the business card is misunderstood. We often associate business cards with our marketing materials, and we consider them as brochures or flyers. Well, they are not! Business cards are not for selling products but rather to establish a first point of contact that can potentially lead to a solid business relationship and more sales.

As a consequence of this misunderstanding, people do not know what to include on their business cards. This may seem obvious, but one of the most common questions people ask is, “What should I include on my business card? My name?

My company name? Phones numbers? Emails addresses? My social networks?

What else?”

There is also the problem of information overload. With the proliferation of social media and the number of ways to connect on the Internet, many of us tend to cram our business cards with too much information. We forget that a business card exchange is simply the first step in what we hope will become a mutually beneficial relationship.

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These topics are covered in full detail in this chapter to help you create a simple yet effective business card that will make a great impression on your potential customers and clients.

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Name You may believe that your name is the most important element on your business card, and you would be correct. Let me explain.

No matter what your name is, whether it is a popular one or a difficult one to pronounce, I am sure that when you hear it you feel important. Everybody likes to feel important!

That is why we are disappointed when people forget our names. When this happens, we feel the person does not care about us. It does not matter if they forget everything else we told them, but we hope they remember our name!

This explains why when we meet new people we tell them our first name: we want to create a sense of empathy. We want to show them that we are approachable and ready to build new relationships. We no longer say, “Bond, James Bond,” but rather, “Hi, my name is James.” In this simple way, we are telling our prospects that we would like them to address us in the most straightforward and familiar way.

The same applies for your business card: Your name must be the first thing your prospects see on your business card.

Here are some Tips for Choosing the Right Name to Put on Your Business Card.

You might find them useful next time you order new business cards:  Nicknames are acceptable on business cards. Use the name you feel most comfortable with. If your name is Katherine but most people call you Kathy and you prefer that name, then use Kathy. It depends on your business industry, but be aware that the use of a nickname in certain settings may leave a bad impression. Observe what others are doing in your field of business and follow the best practice.  Middle names are not required on business cards. If someone were to call you by your middle name, would you realize they are talking to you?

Sometimes? If you don’t identify with your middle name, why would you use it on your business card? Leave it out unless you have a particular reason to include it.  Second family names are not often useful on business cards. Unless you have a common name or you want to differentiate yourself from someone else, like your father or a colleague with the same name, keep your business card simple: use one name and one surname, in this order.

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Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with names shown prominently.  Unisex names can be modified for clarity. For example, names like Taylor or Jamie can lead to confusion. If that is the case and you think people may need clarity, then use a title. That is, precede your name with something like Mr. or Ms. in order to identify gender if necessary.  Abbreviations are best left out. Unless you are J. Lo or O. J., avoid abbreviations. There is no chance your reader will be able to decode F. after your first name, or what the R.M. stands for before your surname.

Abbreviations may look classy, but they are usually confusing. Leave them out unless you have an exception.  Give prominence to your name before the company name, with some exceptions. If you want to build rapport with someone, your name should stand out. This is the usual practice. Now, imagine the following scenario: you are attending a trade show to represent a company and people are interested in the products or services the company provides. In this case, the company name should be the first thing your potential customers or clients see. They are not likely interested in your skills or resources, but in how the company you represent can fulfill their needs.  Place your name in the most visible location. The most visible spot on your business card is usually near the top depending on the layout you’ve chosen for your visual elements. The left, right, or center of your business card is often the best place to place your name. This is the first place the eyes of your prospects will focus.  To capitalize or not to capitalize, that is the question. Given names and surnames can be capitalized or left in lower case. If you find that your business card design looks interesting without capital letters, lower case can create an appealing design element for client recall. It is understood by most that names are capitalized in formal settings.  You don’t always need a space between a given name and a family name.

The business card shown above is an excellent example that nothing forces you use traditional spacing.  Partner business cards may work, but individual cards are better. People working closely together may choose to have one business card with both names on it for business use. I think individual business cards are better for future opportunities, but if you decide to use two names on a card, be sure that they are equally prominent.

Conclusion Your name prominently shown on your business card tells your prospects that you are approachable and ready for business. There are many variations you can By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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experiment with concerning your name, but always keep in mind: your name is the most important visual element on your business card.

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Job Title If you have ever received a business card from a person and it displays the title “CEO” to describe a multitude of important roles, be aware that this can be a bit misleading.

This person does everything: crafts emails, engages in critical phone calls and teleconferences, attends business networking events and trade shows to find potential clients, tweets five times a day, posts Facebook updates, and makes investments to keep the business afloat, among other things. This person does absolutely everything!

Isn’t it absurd for such a person to deceive leads with such an inaccurate and pretentious job title?

This person may actually be performing the responsibilities of a CEO, but this may not be the sort of title business contacts expect. This misstep in business card content is damaging the business owner’s credibility in front of prospects and acquaintances that could help grow his or her business.

If you want to avoid making this mistake, the first thing you need to do is remove from your mind the idea that people like and trust you for something you are not. Sooner or later, they will learn about your values.

Take a look at this example of Albert Einstein’s business card:

Click on Dr. Albert Einstein’s business card if you want to share it.

Einstein was much more than a “professor of physics”, but he did not need to emphasize that on his business card. Why? Because nobody would ever question his understanding of the physical world!

When people trust you, there is no need to use pompous job titles on your business card.

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The following list contains 5 Important Concepts about Using an Appropriate Job Title on Your Business Card: 1. Avoid Self-Deception. If you think of yourself as CEO because you have a small business with a group of people working with you, you may be creating a sense of self-satisfaction that in the future can mislead you and your prospects. If you are humble and honest about your role, working your way to the top will come naturally. Recognize that your position as CEO may be in the distant future, but in the present you need to approach your business with integrity. You will know when to reveal that you are a CEO or highpowered executive.

2. Go Incognito. Some company founders and directors prefer to talk to their customers without telling them their real position. They believe that acting as an undercover agent allows them to get honest feedback from their customers; this helps them discover the real weaknesses of a company and the needs of their customers.

3. Useful Icebreaker. If you do not reveal your job title or position in the company to your prospects, they may strike up a conversation and ask you.

Leaving out your title could work as a conversation starter when you meet someone at a business networking event.

4. Good Partnership. If you are a seasoned executive, your colleagues may be critical of the fact that you are bragging about your achievements on your business card. Keep it honest.

5. You Are More Than a Title. You may perform a number of responsibilities and there is no true title for your job. In this case, leave out a title. During a conversation with your prospects, you can tell them exactly what you do.

There may be some good reasons too to include your job title on your business card. If you are an executive networking at a large event and other members of your company are present, it may be important to include a title on your business card. At these types of gatherings, attendees and participants are interested in meeting the most important representatives of a company. You can let them know up front on your business card that you are the right person to talk with.

Conclusion Whether to include a job title on your business card will depend on many factors: your position within the company, the size of the business, the people you are networking with, your business goals, and more. In general, there are more good reasons not to include a title on your business card.

At allBcards, I have seen hundreds of business cards of professionals and business owners who tag themselves with the wrong title. I have learned that for small business owners and solopreneurs, the best option is to leave out the title.

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If you believe it is necessary to include a title on your business card, get creative so that you stand out from the competition. Instead of using a title, show what you do for your clients and customers. For example, instead of “Customer Service VP,” try something compelling like “The Customer Satisfaction Guy,” to show your contacts that you are that friendly and helpful businessman they need.

At the end of the day, it’s your choice. Remember to ask yourself: would my prospects care if I included a job title to my business card? Will they understand what I do? Will a title make a good or bad impression on them? Will a title help me as an entrepreneur?

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Company Name Will your potential customers or clients care if you work for Microsoft, Samsung, or any other multinational company? Should the company name stand out from the rest of the content on your business card? What if you own or work for a small business?

Company names are a long-standing debate among business card experts.

Let’s say you own a small business. Consider whether you should give priority to your name or to the company name. It may be counterproductive to print a company name in large colorful lettering. Consider whether a company name on your business card will tell your customers and prospects how you can help them. This is the information they are looking for with any new business relationship.

A business card is not always presented to make a sale, but rather to start building business relationships that in the long run can be beneficial to both parties. If you are a small business owner, your name is the most important element on your business card.

There are some cases when the company name should take precedence on your business card. In the example, you see an old-style business card for Larry Page, co-founder of Google. When Google was in its early stage, he considered it appropriate to promote the company on his business card. He was not interested in people remembering his name, but rather his new web search engine. Notice he also includes his name and his position within the company, but the emphasis is on the company name. He wanted his business relationships and potential business partners to focus on his web tool, and it worked.

The following list contains 5 Good Reasons to Give Prominence to the Company Name on Your Business Card:  Boast Success. Make the company name a priority because you want to show recipients that you are a successful employee and that you have numerous responsibilities in a large firm such Microsoft, Amazon, etc.

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 You Are the Man or Woman in Charge. You want your potential business partners or customers to know that you are the right person to speak with if they desire something from the company you work for.

On allBcards you can search business cards by company name.  Expand Your Personal Network. If people know that you work for an important company, they will be eager to get in your circle of acquaintances, for a number of reasons. They may see you as an important sources for business introductions and networking. A company name can be advantageous in expanding your network of contacts for present or future projects.  Increase Your Credibility. A company name on your business card may increase your credibility in the eyes of your potential customers. For example, if you are a realtor working for Century 21 or Keller Williams, your prospects will trust you more than if you work independently or for a small real estate agency.  Job Searching. Representatives of other companies in your industry will notice that you are a highly qualified employee. Next time they need someone with your qualifications, they may think of you based on a significant company name.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with company names shown prominently.

Consider your situation carefully, and leverage the name of the company you work for if it is appropriate for your situation.

Conclusion If you work for a small business or you own a startup that only few people know about, your name must be the most prominent piece of information on your business card. However, if you work for a multinational or a well-know company, you can take advantage of a company name by giving it prominence on your business card.

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If you work for a famous and respected company, keep in mind that people will do business with you because of your values and experience, not because of your company name. They first get to know you and then start building a business relationship that may result in something beneficial to both of you.

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Phone Everyone has at least one phone and they know how to use it. In consequence, my recommendation is: Always include your phone number on your business card.

You may believe nowadays your email address and your website URL are needed on your business card, and that a phone number is not necessary or that it would be redundant. Rather, some if not all of your prospects and customers might prefer to talk to you on a phone. They may tell you how great it was meeting you the other day or they may invite you for coffee.

If these details can be shared in email or txt, “why should I share my phone number on my business card?” you may ask.

There are several Reasons Why People May Want to Have Your Phone Number:  A Personal Touch. Phone calls give a personal touch to the business relationship you are building. When you speak with someone, you can get to know the person better by the tone and character in their voice. You can identify whether the person is friendly and sincere.  Not Everyone Has Internet. This may sound strange to you if you spend most of your day online, but think about it for a second. What if you want to get in touch with your provider and you are on the street without Internet? What if Internet is down and you need to contact someone? In these circumstances, having a phone number to call is almost always the solution.  Technology Challenged. Your prospects may not use computers regularly or they may not know how to contact you online. A phone number may be the only means of communication for a customer who also happens to be a senior citizen.  Waste of Time. Some customers may feel that you are wasting their time if they have to search for your phone number online when you could have presented it to them on your business card. It might become easier for them to call your competition!  SMS or Whatsapp Alternatives. Some of your prospects may prefer to have your phone number so they can communicate with you via SMS or Whatsapp.

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Whatever the reasons your potential customers or clients might have for wanting your phone number, there is no doubt it is an important element on your business card.

The question now is, which phone number and how many phone numbers?

Should I share my home phone number or my personal mobile number? What if I have more than one phone number? Let’s address these issues one at the time.

You do not generally need more than one phone number on your business card. If you include more than one phone number, people may find it distracting and it can keep them from taking action. Psychologists call this “the choice inaction.” In this situation, “less information is more.”

Include the phone number you use to make and receive calls. Also include the business hours you are in the office and available by phone. Specify the time zone if needed.

If you work from home, add the appropriate business number to your business card and be sure it is you that picks up the phone. If someone else, like your kids, picks up the phone, you might leave a poor impression on your customers and clients or lose a sale.

If you are serious about your business, do not let your kids pick up the phone!

If you are devoted to your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as many business owners are, use your personal mobile phone and pick it up every time someone calls. This may be the ideal client or referral that will take your business to the next level.

Use a voice recording system so that prospects that do not have time to speak with you can leave a voice message. Mention this option explicitly on your business card. For example, “Leave a Message 555-222-2222 .”

If you are currently doing business in several countries around the globe, tell your customers and clients where you are located. For instance, you can write “UK: 0044 555-222 22 or US: 555-222-2222.”

If you like to be contacted on Skype because you prefer to see your clients when you talk to them, or because video calls are often inexpensive or free, substitute your phone number for your Skype username on your business card. Or you may wish to include both of them!

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Connect your phone number and Skype username to your Bcard.

Complement your phone number or Skype username with a call to action: Let’s talk again Call Toll Free Call now, 24/7 customer service Call Today!

See the section in this eBook for more information on how to use a call to action on your business card.

With the alternatives to faxing, FAX numbers on business cards are not used frequently. If you are among the few people who still receive or send faxes on a regular basis, you may choose to include a fax number on your business card. If not, then leave it out.

If you have more than one target market, order different business cards with different phone numbers. Depending on the person you are talking to, you can provide the business card that is appropriate for the new connection. You might give your personal phone number to a high-profile contact and your Skype username to a less promising prospect.

As a business owner, you may decide not to print a phone number on your business card because you prefer to write it down with a pen at the moment you are handing it to a potential client. That way, you can exchange the phone number or information based on the situation.

Conclusion If you are among those individuals who despise talking on the phone to people you do not know, consider changing your attitude in order to take advantage of some good business opportunities. Your phone number must be on your business card if you expect to succeed.

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Your potential customers or clients may not call you; they may send you an email instead. In any case, if they want to talk to you, it is best to have your phone number on your business card.

There is no need to share your personal phone number, as there are many other options: voice recorder, Skype, Google voice, etc. But, you need to include at least one method in which people can talk to you.

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Email One thing that almost every has—other than a phone number—is an email account. As a business owner or professional, you will want to include your email address on your business card as it can lead to more customers, clients, and ultimately, sales.

One of the first things people will do with your business card is look for your email address to make contact.

For the last decade and a half, email has become pervasive and many people use it to make a first connection. Contacts may prefer to send you an email rather than make a phone call for various reasons. They may not feel at ease talking to a stranger or they may not know if you are available. They will email to set an appointment, to ask you when you are available for a phone call, and so on.

By sharing your email address, people can also learn more about you, your business, and your social media presence (see, for example, rapportive.com).

You generally need only one email address, depending on your business. Select a clear typeface, place it in a prominent location on your card, and make it stand out from the rest of the content.

Below is more information on how your email address should look.

If you send email from an address such as: name@freeemailprovider.com, you could consider changing your email address to a custom domain name like name@yourcompany.com.

Even though Gmail and Hotmail accounts are free, changing to a dedicated mail server could help you deliver a better image of your business. If you own a small prosperous business or if you are a professional with a number of clients, it may make an impression on your prospects if you use a paid email account and place the email address on your business card. Good business requires portraying an image, and a free email account may stand in the way. Custom domains do not cost a lot, and you can get a business email account for a minimum fee.

Create a personalized email address, such as john.doe@company.com. This will help your prospects and customers remember you. Do not use a generic address like hello@company.com. If your domain name already contains your name, then get creative with something like contact-me@johndoe.com.

I have seen numerous business cards that include long and complicated email addresses, things like katiushkarmentievich_86@thetinybakerymi.com. What By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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happened the last time you wanted to contact a person with a complicated email address? You tried to send an email and the system told you that you entered the address incorrectly. You tried a second time and again it was wrong.

Then you gave up! Follow my advice and use a simple email address that reveals something about you and your company (for example, name.surname@company.com). By all means, avoid underscores and numbers.

Use a simple and informative email address, and include a compelling call to action to invite people to contact you.

Contact me: name@company.com Connect with me today: name@company.com I would love to hear more from you: name@company.com

Conclusion An email on your business card is a must in today’s digitally connected world.

Always include your email address on your business card because people rely on it.

Using the guidance in this eBook, you are on your way to building a robust network of contacts that will bring you more connections and improved sales.

Don’t stop reading!

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Company’s Tagline Perhaps you have seen a business card with this company tagline on it: “We have the best products in the world.” What is wrong with this tagline?

The problem with this tagline is that the message is not specific enough. The company’s unique value proposition is so generic that it dilutes the message, conveying no real value.

What should my company’s tagline include?

First, let me define a tagline. A tagline is a simple sentence that tells others what your company is good at, what makes it different and better than the competition, and ultimately why they should consider doing business with you.

It is a very simple and powerful concept that every business owner should be leveraging. You would be surprised to know that most people forget to include a tagline on their business cards.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with company’s taglines on them.

I have been asked the same question over and over: “Do I really need a tagline on my corporate business card?” The answer is yes, you need to include a short and effective sentence that tells your prospects what you do, like no one else does.

Think about this scenario: The lady you met at a networking event last night is at home and she has your business card in her hands. She is ready to transfer your information into her online customer relationship management (CRM) program.

Do you think she will remember what your company does if she doesn’t look at your business card? Of course not!

Let’s suppose that the moment you introduced yourself, you told her everything about your company and you made a good impression. Perhaps she liked you.

Time has passed, and now she has simply forgotten what she once knew. It’s natural; she has many things to do, she meets many people, and she forgot what type of services or products your company provides. She may not think to contact you when she needs your services, if you have not made an impression with a creative tagline.

A tagline will help recipients remember your business. When she is back home in front of her computer, you want her to say, “Ah, I remember this guy. What was his business about? Hmmm… yes, here it is. His company does computer consulting. I liked his style and his card is cool. I’ll call him.”

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If you made a good impression at the conference event or business mixer you attended, the tagline on your business card will help to refresh the memories of your prospects and give them a sense of competency and trustfulness about you, just as it did the first time you met.

You need to help your prospects remember you.

That is the entire function of a business card.

Do not confuse a tagline with a selling phrase. Your company tagline tells your potential customers and clients what your company can do for them, not why they should buy from you.

A long time ago, in the middle of the past century, big brands used to bombard consumers, selling messages via television ads and billboards. Smaller business owners thought they could compete with a massive business card distribution plan. The strategy was essentially the same as the one used by big companies: reach more people and convert them into customers. Instead of using expensive television advertisements, they decided to turn to the humble business card.

Today, this model for competition has changed. The world is more competitive and consumers are aware like never before of the many alternatives. Customers tend to choose brands not for higher quality or lower prices, but because they like and trust them.

When you meet a potential customer or client, your goal is to create a rapport and offer something of value that nobody else in the market can afford. The power of your tagline is to synthetize all of this in a short sentence.

This is how your tagline from allBcards might look.

Use keywords so that Google and Bing can find you.

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As you may expect, crafting an effective tagline may take some imagination and a lot of thought. Start early and explore different ideas. Take the “elevator pitch” you use for your company and summarize it in a sentence. This will eventually lead to the best tagline for your business card.

An effective tagline should contain 6-8 words, never longer. If the tagline is too short, you risk being misunderstood by your prospects. They may not understand exactly what your business does. On the other hand, if the tagline is too long, you may not be using the best words to describe your business. Drop superfluous words that do not add value.

Talk to your customers and clients and see how they react to your tagline. Take note, improve your tagline, and use it on your next business card order. Repeat this process until you find your perfect tagline. Also check to ensure that your tagline is not being used by another company or copyrighted by someone else.

Conclusion An effective company tagline is one that tells your prospects what your business does in a couple of words, and sets your business apart from the competition.

If you are in a competitive industry, you may need to work harder to have more connections and make an influence than some of the bigger brands. With a great tagline, that’s not a problem. If you can convey in a clear and persuasive manner what you do better than anyone else in your market, your prospects will show interest in your business. An initial curiosity may turn into a solid business relationship.

Create a clear and concise tagline for your business card that is easy to remember and that identifies the benefits of doing business with you.

Constantly look for improvements to enhance the effectiveness of your business card and adapt it as your business evolves.

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Personal Tagline What is the number one reason you buy a product or service? Because it provides a solution to a problem, right? That is exactly why others will buy from you: because your products or services will help them solve a problem.

When trying to convince someone to consider your products and services, these are the questions you want to ask yourself: How will my products or services make my customers’ lives better? Will they be able to do things faster? Will they save money? What makes me different or better than my competition? Answer these questions in a short sentence and use it on your business card; this is your personal tagline.

Your tagline is a short version of your “Unique Value Proposition,” that is, what you offer that is valuable and unique. It is not about how great you are but how you can help your potential customers and clients, that is, how you provide value to them. And you are unique not because you think so, but because you help others to succeed as no one else can do it. In only 6-8 words, your tagline should tell your prospects what you provide and why it is unique.

The tagline on your business card must be short and informative.

The elements in a perfect tagline for your business card include these features: It must begin with “I help…,” “I provide…,” “I offer,” etc. You are in business because you help someone or provide a product or service, so it is important to state this.

Specify your target market. When crafting a value proposition, many people make the mistake of trying to reach everyone. It is common to see business cards with taglines that use the word “You.” Using the word “You” is a generic way to hand out the same business card to every one you meet. Using “You” is simple, but it is the wrong way to reach your target audience. “You” addresses everybody and no one.

Your business card tagline should be specific. Substitute “You” with something more tangible. For example, instead of stating “I help you …,” state, “I help marketers …,” or “I help job seekers ….” You can take this approach no matter who your target market happens to be.

Finally, include the problem you are helping to solve.

The format of a great tagline for your personal business card is very simple; state “I help ‘target market’ to ‘solve problem.’”

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If various niche markets might be interested in your products or services, try business cards with different taglines. Each package of business cards should come with a different tagline based on each target market and the problem to solve.

At first, creating different personal taglines may seem like a lot of work, but once you know the customer segments you want to target, it is easy to create and print your business cards with unique taglines for each. To avoid confusion, carry them in separate business card holders. Your past experience will tell you where to network and which card to present to whom.

Here are some 3 Things You Don’t Want to Forget when Writing Your Tagline(s):  Emphasize your role. Notice in the taglines above I have emphasized the role of the business card owner with the personal pronoun “I.” You can do the same with your tagline.  Avoid jargon. The people that truly understand what you do are your colleagues and competitors, but they do not need your services!

Your potential customers and clients have no interest in learning how you exactly describe your products and services. They simply want to know how your business can fit their needs. So, avoid unnecessary jargon that may sound like pure nonsense to your prospects.

Avoid jargon and try to say what you do in simple words, As if you were explaining it to a layman!

The more specialized your occupation or business, the more effort you need to make in order to convey your message in a clear and unambiguous way. The rewards are worth the time and energy invested.  Be creative but don’t overdo it. Be creative when you describe the benefits of your business. For example, instead of simply writing “Personal Trainer,” a more descriptive tagline would read, “I Help Busy Moms Live a Healthier Life.”

Another approach is to tell your prospects what you have accomplished with your present and past clients. For example, this tagline might read, “I’ve Helped Hundreds of Busy Moms Become Healthier.”

Be creative when writing your tagline, but don’t exaggerate or your prospects may not understand what you are trying to say. For example, if you are a social media expert and you write on your business card, “I connect you with the world,” this message could be misleading.

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Alternatively, you could write, “I help small businesses boost their social media presence.”

You may not be as famous as Guy Kawasaki, who can simply say “I empower people” and everybody gets it. You need to be more explicit.

When people exaggerate their tagline, they tend to trespass over the line between a smart tagline and a silly one. Instead of coming up with an intelligent tagline, one that engages people, they craft a ridiculous tagline that would lead to embarrassment. You will stand out from the crowd, but unfortunately for the wrong reasons. Restrain from over-creativity.

Conclusion Rather than asking yourself, “What’s the perfect tagline for my business card?,” ask yourself, “What’s the perfect tagline for my business card in my particular situation?” By getting specific, you can describe the goods and services your customers and clients are seeking and how you can best help them. You will be able to convey your unique value proposition more effectively.

Your tagline will communicate in a concise and memorable way the main benefits of your business. For maximum results, use the format: “I Help…,” “I Guide….,” “I Assist…,” “I Make …,” etc.

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Calls to Action You can hand out hundreds of business cards every month, but if your prospects don’t follow up, what’s the point?

One of the easiest ways you can boost your follow-up rates is to add a “call to action” to your business card. That is, a short sentence that encourages the recipient of your business card to take some type of action.

Studies have shown that people are more willing to take action when you tell them exactly what to do. For example, if you want someone to call you, simply mention it.

Let’s look at some helpful examples of calls to action you can display on your business card: Be explicit and tell your prospects to call you. Instead of writing, “Tel. 555-2222222,” write “Call me at 555-222-2222.” If you want them to connect with you on LinkedIn, write something like, “Let’s connect on LinkedIn: myusername.”

This holds true whether you want your potential customers or clients to call you, send you an email, or visit your website.

Always be explicit and specific with the call to action you use on your business card.

In order to maximize the results of your calls to action, start your sentence with an action verb followed by a subject. It is well known that this direct approach helps people more quickly grasp your meaning: “Email me,” “Call me,” “Visit my website,” etc.

When do you want your prospects to call or email you? The sooner, the better.

Right? Append a sense of urgency to your call to action. A simple well-chosen word is appropriate. For instance, write “Call me today: 555-222-2222,” or “Email me ASAP: name@mycompany.com.”

Also consider adding the associated benefits for your prospects when they do take action. Why should they call you in the first place? What is there for them?

Describe in a few additional words why they should consider your products or services. For example, instead of writing your phone number: “Tel: 555-2222222,” write “Call me now at 555-222-2222 for a free consultation.”

The most important call to action on your business card is the action you want your prospects to take and it must be located in a prominent position on your business card to be noticed. If you want your call to action to stand out, don’t By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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position it in between text or graphic elements. Place your call to action independently, and use colors and fonts that are easy to read and stand out from the background.

Be creative and test your calls to action to find out what works best. Try different calls to action and experiment with different font colors, sizes, locations, and so on. Distribute your business cards in a methodical way, and then keep those with the calls to action that have generated a response and proven more appealing to your prospects. Order new business cards with the winning call to action.

Conclusion Crafting an engaging call to action will take a bit of your time along with some extra space on your business card, but it will increase your follow-up rates.

Add a call to action on your business card to encourage your potential clients or customers to get back to you. In a short time, you will begin receiving more calls and emails from your ideal prospects.

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Logo “Do you like the logo on my business card? I did it by myself!”

“No, it’s awful!” is the cutting reply you might receive if you asked a client for an honest opinion. Unfortunately, people tend to be nice and not tell you the entire truth. If you want to know the truth, let me help you: if the logo on your business card looks amateurish, it may project a pitiful image of you and how you manage your business.

Good logos are difficult to create and often they can be so costly, so why should I use one?

It has been shown time and again that people react to images much faster than they do to written messages. If someone has seen your logo and it is well designed, there should be no need to read anything in order for prospects to remember you and your business service. That first impression is what makes a logo a powerful way to convey your message.

This process of recognition only takes a fraction of a second!

If you want people to easily recognize your brand, then you need a logo.

A logo usually consists purely of a graphical element. It may also include a company name or an abbreviation.

Every logo should include simplicity and originality. If another company in your industry uses a logo similar to yours, the lack of unique properties will reduce its effectiveness.

Crafting an attractive logo is a challenging task, and, like it or not, only trained graphics artists generally have the skills to design a professional and effective logo. If you are using a logo you designed, you may be damaging your credibility.

Do I need to spend a fortune on my new logo? Usually big companies spend a lot of money on a successful, well-thought-out logo. For instance, BBC spent $1.8 million and Pepsi spent $1 million on their logos. However, you do not need to spend such an amount for a good logo design.

You do not need to spend a fortune on your new logo.

Nike paid $35 and Twitter paid no more than $15!

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If you are on a budget, you can seek a good designer at dribbble.com or graphicriver.net to create your new logo for a reasonable price.

I do not recommend clipart logos. You will find that some online business card printers offer free logos and do-it-yourself solutions. The problem with these logos is that they are not unique and in general they do not look as professional.

Below is an example of Vistaprint’s logo maker tool:

The free online logo maker from Vistaprint.

Once you have a logo, the next step is to find the right location to place it on your business card. Most business cards display the logo near the upper left corner. You can also find logos placed in the center or in the upper right corner. I prefer to place my logo near the upper right corner of my business card, so that I do not hide it with my thumb when I present it to someone.

There is also an option to omit a logo on your business card. If you do not want to include a logo, either because you do not have the skills to create one or because you do not want to spend the money, it is acceptable to leave it out.

Many professionals do not need a logo, as long as people are easily able to identify the business.

Conclusion A logo is a visual symbol that identifies your company or personal brand. It can be a powerful device in your marketing toolkit if you want people to easily recognize your business. Including one on your business card can be a good choice.

The idea behind a business card is to create an attractive and memorable impression. First, you want your customers to be surprised by its beautiful and unique design in order to remain fresh on their minds. Then you want your ideal customers to remember your business when they see the business card again.

How can you help them remember you? A well-designed business logo!

If you own a company, a logo can help you. If you provide professional services, you may or may not need a logo. Try to find an inexpensive professional designer, and then ask your friends and incisive colleagues what they think about it.

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Social Media Do you want more engagement from your prospects?

Did you know that Facebook has over 1.5 billion users worldwide and Google+ and Twitter have about a half a billion each? LinkedIn, the largest professional social network on the web, has about 300 million active users.

Today, everybody in one way or the other is engaging in social media. The odds are very high that your customers and clients are spending several hours a day interacting with their friends and colleagues on their social networks.

If you want to take advantage of the many possibilities the digital age we live in has to offer, you should use social media to connect with your potential customers and clients.

Include your social media info on your business cards to interact with your prospects.

Your prospects will visit your social media pages to learn more about you, your services, and your products. In addition, it is most likely they will try to get in touch with you before they make a decision to hire you or buy from you.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with social media contact info.

When I mention this to allBcards’ users, the reply I get is: “Got it, but how many social media channels should I include on my business card? One? Two? All of them? Which ones?”

It is commonly advised that you share as much contact information on your business card as you can, so that you make it easy for customers or clients to get in touch with you. If they do not use Facebook, they might have a Twitter account, a YouTube channel, or a Pinterest board. If you follow this recommendation, however, you will end up with a business card that is overcrowded with social media icons. Contrary to this belief, I am convinced that you don't need to add all social networks on your business card.

Over the years, I have noticed two problems with the practice of including as many social media links as possible. The most obvious one is unattractive and illegible business cards crammed with social media icons. The other problem is business cards with social media icons and no usernames or URLs associated with them. The issue with this is that printed icons are not clickable! This might seem obvious, but some designers don’t include them on purpose.

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You are fooling yourself if you think your prospects will go to Facebook or Twitter to find you among dozens or hundreds of other people, just to send you a friend request or follow you. The truth is, they will not bother! If you include your social media icons, always add the handles and URLs. Otherwise, no one will connect with you.

We know we should limit our social media contacts to one or two, but which ones should we use?

If you want to generate more business, don't share your personal Facebook page or Instagram username on your business card. Since LinkedIn is the largest and most respected professional network on the web, most of the time your LinkedIn address is enough. People who want to know more about you can take a look at your profile, present job, past achievements, and your current clients and products, among other things.

If you really want to add another social media contact, share one that you use for professional reasons. It can be Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc., but it needs to show your professional interests.

On allBcards, you have the option to connect your business card with four social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.

allBcards gives you the option to include four social media links.

Conclusion In reviewing the numbers presented at the beginning of this section, it is clear that if you work in any specific niche market that uses the Internet, some if not all of your potential customers are present on social media.

My advice is that no matter what target market you serve, you should try to connect with your potential clients and customers via social media.

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Carefully study your target market values and your business objectives, and then include one or two social media icons on your primary business card. Share business and professional networks, rather than those with your personal interests—it is not because you want to hide your personal life, but it is simply because your prospects do not care. This way, you show your prospects that you want to stay in touch with them and that you care about your business relationships.

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Photo Should you add your photo to your business card? Are you wondering whether people still do so? In this section we will talk about the pros and cons to consider when it comes to including your photo on your business card.

In some industries, people put a headshot on their business card because everyone else is doing it; for example, in the real estate industry. They want to show their potential clients that they are vested members in the industry and that they follow what the field considers consummate practices.

This may work for you, too. However, think about this: Con 1. You may want to consider if going against the mainstream could be more effective. Since nearly everyone adds their photo on their business card, why not discover if it’s more advantageous to leave the photo out?

Con 2. Another reason to omit your photo is the high cost of production. The quality of your photo requires more precision than the rest of your business card.

Printers in general charge you an extra fee for a photo and to include a headshot on your business card. If you are not sure the extra expense is worthwhile, check with your printer in advance to find out the cost.

Of course, there are some pros as well: Pro 1. The number one reason why people find a photo useful is that others will more easily remember them.

Imagine you are organizing the business cards you received at a big conference earlier in the evening. You met dozens of people interested in what you do. Of course, you don’t remember all of them. In line with dozens of business cards, a photo will certainly help you recognize that particular prospect that seemed so enthusiastic about finding ways to collaborate with you and your team. This is a strong argument in favor of placing a photo on your business card.

Pro 2. If you include your photo, you may appear more approachable and trustworthy. People want to do business with people they like and trust.

Including a photo showing your best side will move you in that direction.

Pro 3. Do you have a first name like Sean or Taylor? Having a headshot can help avoid confusion as to your gender, if necessary.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with photo.

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If you think a photo on your business card can help you develop relationships with potential clients or customers, here are some Tips to Make the Most out of Your Business Card Photo:  Have someone take a professional headshot that shows a friendly face and a good smile, and don’t worry about your wrinkles!  Do not wear accessories like sunglasses or hats.  No pets or kids in the photo. This is an unbreakable rule if you want to look professional. Of course, there is always an exception to the rule, but only if it is relevant to your job. For example, it is acceptable if you are a school or music teacher, a sports instructor for kids, a pediatrician, a veterinarian or a pet breeder, and so on.  Hire a professional photographer to do the job.  Use a headshot only. Do not take a full body photo unless you are in the fitness or fashion industry, or another business where this type of photo adds value.  Use a small area for your photo. In other words, do not take up half of your business card with your photo.  Do not print it on an everyday desktop printer. If it unprofessional to print your own business cards from home, if you don’t have a good printer and high-quality cardstock paper. Your photo will look unprofessional and leave a bad impression about you and your business.  Do not present a business card with a dated headshot that looks nothing like you. There is no sense in giving out business cards that do not match your current image. If you look younger, have a different haircut, or show a moustache that you don’t have anymore, it’s not the right photo.  Try to use the same photo you have on your social media profiles, especially LinkedIn. You will increase the odds that people will recognize you and you will start becoming more familiar to them.  You do not need to a have real photo; you can use a drawing or a caricature.

This can be very useful if you are a designer or cartoonist.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with drawings.

Whether you choose a picture or a drawing, you must know and understand your target market and try to figure out how they will perceive the photo on your business card. With whom would they like to do business? How could you connect best with them? Do you look friendly and likeable enough? How could you project trustworthiness and professionalism? These are some questions you should evaluate before making a decision about your headshot.

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Conclusion Including your headshot on your business card can be a good idea; headshots make it easier for people to remember you, and they may keep your business card around longer.

There is extra work and time to consider when you decide to include a headshot.

Ask yourself these questions: Is it worth your time and money to have a photo on your business card? What do you want your business card to do for your business? What do you want your business card to tell people? Will it make your brand look more friendly and trustworthy?

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QR Codes It’s trendy. It’s cool. It’s the QR code!

You may have considered adding one to your business card as well. Let’s be honest though. When was the last time you scanned a QR code? Several weeks or months ago?

This is an example of a QR code.

By now, you have certainly seen this fancy square on marketing materials, product labels, and business cards, among other products. They are everywhere.

What is a QR code and how does it work?

QR stands for Quick Response, and QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes encrypting some type of information: it can be a text, phone number, email address, website URL, a LinkedIn profile, and so on.

If you search for “QR code generator” on the Internet you will find hundreds of websites that create QR codes. Using one of these websites, in less than a minute I created the QR code shown above. It contains a link to our home page: www.allBcards.com.

How do you know what is contained there? QR codes can be read by special software that translates the embedded information into something we can identify. If you have a mobile phone, it’s easy to discover what a QR code contains. In the App Store or in Google Play, you can find many QR code readers.

Open the app, capture the QR code, and that’s it! The information has been decrypted for you.

An easier-to-understand example of encrypted information on a QR code is plain text. Let’s say you are in a museum and the paintings have QR codes beside them. You capture the code with your mobile device and the app shows you the text with the story of the painting. You can read the story or origin of the piece.

For example, following is a simple QR code with text: By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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If you’re enjoying this guide, read the code above and share it with your peers.

QR codes have become very popular, since they provide users with an easy way to connect the offline and online worlds. Business owners and networking experts in particular have found QR codes helpful, since it is simple to share their contact information by adding a QR code to their business cards.

When your prospect receives your business card, he or she scans your QR code and immediately has your contact information. Depending on the information you encoded, you can be contacted right away: sending an email, writing a text message, visiting your website or LinkedIn profile, you name it.

Business card designers have taken advantage of the multiple possibilities offered by QR codes. They have found that QR codes add a modern personality to what some people consider boring and unexciting pieces of paper.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with QR codes.

Today, many online printers understand this new trend and they are offering QR codes that you can include on your business cards. Below is an example of a QR generator used by the online printing company, Office Depot:

The process is very simple. First, you upload your own business card design, or you choose one from their free templates. After this, you see the option to include a QR code:

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This company gives you three options for your QR code: phone number, website, or vCard.

Moo is another online printing company offering business cards with QR codes.

As with any new technology, there are pros and cons. The most important factor to take into account when considering a QR code on your business cards is your target audience.

If you work with young tech-savvy entrepreneurs, then a QR code on your business card can be a good idea. Check the business cards you have collected and see if your contacts use them. On the other hand, if your clients seldom use their smart phones, then don’t include a QR code.

QR codes have been around for several years now, but not everyone understands them or uses them. This situation has led some experts to predict that QR codes soon will be dead.

Conclusion Since their dissemination a few years ago, QR codes have been a challenge to the standard ways of exchanging contact information as well as to traditional business card design.

Business owners need to understand how these trendy QR codes fit into the general strategy for their businesses. I do not include a QR code on my business card, but whether you do or not depends on your needs. If you think a QR code is a good option for your business card, give it a try.

With a QR code on your business card, you will encourage prospects to contact you immediately after you exchange business cards.

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Address At one time, it was common for small business owners to include a street map on the back side of their business cards to indicate to their customers how to reach their shop.

This is a feature hotels, restaurants, beauty salons, and some other businesses still find helpful. However, if you check the business cards you have collected recently, you will notice not many businesses still include a map nor is there a physical address written on the card. Why so? What has changed?

Many things! Today, we stay in touch with our prospects and clients via email, phone, and social media. I frequently hear people say: “Why should I share my address on my business card? My customers already have my email address and they follow my Facebook fan page. Moreover, I don’t want strangers to show up in front of my house or office when I’m not there. No way!”

Let us discuss some Good Reasons Why You Should Consider Including Your Address on Your Business Card:  You are constantly receiving posts from your clients, customers, and business partners. In this case, you could alternatively use your Post Office box (PO Box).  People often come to your storefront to pick up products or materials they have purchased from you. If you are doing business together, your contact information should already be in their database. However, having your address on your business card can help them when they are on their way to your office.  You offer a service in which people need to come to your office (for instance, if you are a dentist or an optician).  In some industries, an address on a business card gives more legitimacy to the business. This is particularly true in conventional and conservative businesses.

A snail mail address on your business card could enhance your credibility.

 You want to show prospects that you are a successful business owner or professional. For example, if you are a law firm in New York City, show everyone that you have an office on 5th Avenue. Use this strategy to show prospects and present clients that you are a successful lawyer with a highlevel profile.

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 You own a hotel or restaurant, or any other business where customers would need an address and expect an address to be included.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of business cards with addresses and street maps.

The best position for your address is at the bottom of your business card. It is current practice to use smaller fonts and center it, depending on the design you select. Concerning the street map, use the back of your business card.

There are also good reasons to exclude an address from your business card.

If you are a professional, generally you do not need to include an address on your business card. The first thing your prospects will do is call or send you an email. They will not go to your office. Your address is something you will usually communicate to them after several exchanges. In this case, you can safely leave out the address on your business card.

Some people have serious concerns about making their addresses public. If you believe it can somehow be annoying or dangerous to share your physical address (due to advertisements or thieves), don’t do it.

If you are afraid someone could show up in the middle of the night or when you are not at home, a good solution is to write on your business card the country and city where your business is located. With this solution, you will show your prospects that you have a physical address without sharing your exact location with everyone.

On allBcards, users can see where your business is physically located.

Location of a business, as advertised by allBcards.

Conclusion

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Your business card must provide your basic information. If you sincerely think your customers or clients need your physical address to reach you, then include your address. If you work at home, spend most of your time online, or your industry does not find an address useful, then leave it out.

Every situation is unique and both solutions have their pros and cons. Evaluate the specifics of your business’ target market and decide.

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Back You should always take advantage of the back of your business card and use it to further communicate information to your prospects. Yes, always!

Never leave the back of your business card blank.

Offer something valuable to your prospects.

Even though the front of your business card is the most important real estate, it does not mean you should neglect the back side. Cramming everything on the front of the card can completely ruin the effectiveness of an otherwise wellthought-out business card.

On the front, you include the most important information. On the back, you add supplemental details that will tell your potential clients and customers more about you and your company.

It should be clear to the person who receives your card, which is the front and which is the back. On the front, you include your name, company name, tagline, email, and phone number. Present your business card with the front side up.

Your prospects will turn it over to find additional information and benefits your business provides, or you may jot something down for them on the back side.

Here is a list of 20 Ideas for the Back of Your Business Card: 1. For some businesses and professional activities, a before/after photo can be very compelling (for instance, if you work in the diet industry or you are a fitness coach). It can also be helpful if you provide home improvement, furniture repair or restoration services.

2. Use the back side of your business card to show prospects that you are a reputable expert in your field. You can add titles or cover photos of any books you have published.

3. If you are a teacher, include the titles of your courses and the number of people you have trained in your career. Public speakers can include the titles of their talks.

4. Use Testimonials from a couple of your most famous and respected clients.

5. If your company has several branches, tell your prospects which location to find you and add the phone numbers or addresses of your main divisions.

6. Many people still use an annual calendar printed on the back of the business cards they have collected.

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7. Incentivize customers to go to your shop by offering coupons or discounts for items you sell or services you provide.

8. Let people know the hours you are open for business. Write the hours and your availability to receive calls.

9. If you own a restaurant, you can include a small menu, especially for takeout customers. You can add a persuasive image, showing a couple of your most praised dishes.

10. Proudly boast the names or logos of your major clients or customers.

11. Include a short list of important local and national media in which you have been featured.

12. Some coffee shops offer a free beverage after you have purchased so many: “Buy X, get 1 Free� program. Business cards are often used as punch cards to help keep track of the number of coffees sold. You could use a similar strategy for your business.

13. Add more details about your products or services and the benefits of doing business with you.

14. Your mission statement. This is not your tagline, but a couple of sentences stating the essence of your business, your goals, and your values can go a long way.

15. Display the prices of your best-selling products.

16. This is the best place on your business card to add a photo.

17. A translation of your business card will help you if you are doing business abroad. It makes a great first impression on your foreign clients and customers.

18. Career achievements, special prizes, or honorary degrees can give you prestige.

19. Print a street map to show where your shop or office is located.

20. Add a personalized design to help your prospects be reminded of their appointments with you. This is helpful if you are a dentist or a psychologist.

On her blog, Diana Ratliff has a thorough list of ideas for the back side of your business card.

Use graphic elements to make the front of your business card more appealing.

When someone is looking at your card, there should be no doubt which is the front and which is the back. Business card organizers, whether traditional or digital, also give preference to the front side of business cards. So, make it easy to distinguish the side that has the most important information on it.

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Conclusion There are plenty of content options for the back side of your business card. Use the back of your card to add additional information, but don’t repeat the content on the front side.

What you should include will depend on the specifics of your business: your target audience, your business goals, your unique personality, the time of the year, and so forth. Whatever you decide to add to the back of your card, make it something valuable and beneficial to your customers or prospects.

If you are not using the back side of your business card, you are missing a big opportunity to communicate your message. Use both sides, the front and the back, so you can double the impact of your business card!

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3. How to Design Better Business Cards “Your business card makes a powerful statement about your professionalism and credibility.”

—Diana Ratliff, Author of Business Card Breakthroughs

Are you trying to create the perfect business card for your small business or a professional activity? You know, one that enhances your image and makes it easier for people to remember you? You know what I’m talking about: your dream business card; the one that will encourage every new prospect you meet to get in touch with you and ask you more about your business!

It may seem like a dream, but in fact you can learn how to create the ultimate business card. At allBcards, we have the experience you need. We have seen many business cards and talked to many business people about what works and what doesn’t. Today, we want to share that knowledge with you!

In this chapter, I’ve collected the basic visual elements a successful business card design must have.

In the previous chapter, we saw the right information you must provide on your business card. Yet: A business card is much more than a piece of paper with some information on it.

If you are attempting to make a lasting impression on your contacts and grow your network, there is more to consider than your business card content. By making your card more appealing and graphically engaging, in a short time you will notice a positive return on your efforts toward relationship building.

Business people recognize the importance of a beautiful and compelling business card design, but they do not know how to manage the situation. They generally proceed in a rudimentary manner. They will peruse the business cards they have collected and hope to adapt some of those visual elements for their own business card. They may also find a source of inspiration from business card examples found on the Internet. Pinterest is another great source, where people pin their favorite and most inspiring business cards for future reference.

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While these are excellent resources to get some ideas, in this chapter I will show you a more systematic way to create a visually appealing business card that your potential customers and clients will not easily forget.

I have seen business owners with excellent products become frustrated because their networking efforts are not paying off. They frequently attend networking events and they have a well-thought elevator pitch; there is no doubt they are making a good first impression. However, customers are not responding. They know something is wrong, but they don’t recognize the problem. Well, there is something lacking on their business card!

On the other hand, many small entrepreneurs with mediocre products and services are expanding their networks quickly. Why does this happen? Have you seen such cases? Have you experienced this situation yourself?

The answer is very simple: because successful networkers have effective business cards. Prospects keep these business cards longer, and people remember them—not because of the information on the card, but because of the attractive design of the card.

Follow the steps in this chapter and you will be able to create an amazing business card that will make a great first impression on your prospects and persuade them to contact you.

Business cards have been proven as one of the easiest yet most powerful tools to start a business relationship. You just need to know a few secrets to stay on your prospects’ minds.

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Keep It Simple More is better, right? Not in the world of business cards!

Have you ever received a business card that was so jam-packed with minutiae that you were not sure where to fix your eyes? You try to find an element of focus, a place to start reading, but the card contains so much visual noise that it’s not only unpleasant to see, it’s also hard to find the information you are seeking from your prospect.

You only have a couple of seconds to grab your prospect’s attention.

So, make sure not to overcrowd your business card.

When you have received only a couple of business cards to sort out, extra information is manageable, but when you have dozens of business cards to organize in folders or add to your database, this problem can become big. In this case, you will likely take the cluttered business cards and throw them away.

Before you toss them in the trash, you think, “I hate to do this! Why can’t he simply make a decent business card? It’s not that difficult! Who cares about the other five phones numbers, three additional blogs, both home and office addresses, and ten social networks? In addition, there are pictures of the products he sells! Oh my gosh! It’s a mess!”

This is something that happens to us often, and we do not want to spend valuable time organizing and managing our business contacts, making life harder than it is.

We have already come to understand that the most important information on a business card is your name, the name of your business or the company you work for, your tagline, your email address, and your phone number. It may sometimes be useful to add a physical address and a website or LinkedIn URL. That’s it!

Everything else is supplementary.

It is worth commenting that simple doesn’t mean minimalist.

Some people include only their website URL on their business cards. If the website URL includes a name of a person, like www.johndoe.com, this approach is a good idea. In a simple line of text, you are providing your name and your preferred method of communication. The problem is that your prospects may not remember what you do and your business card may still end up in the trash or in the bottom drawer of a dusty desk. You can elaborate with a URL like www.johndoe-photographer.com, but this can become cumbersome. If you want to keep it safe and simple, use the traditional elements: name, company By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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name, tagline, email, and phone; include mailing address and website (or LinkedIn profile) if needed.

It’s OK to keep your business card simple, but it must be informative.

It’s a business card, not a minimalist manifesto!

Concerning the design of your business card, the same principle applies: keep it simple. There is no need to overwhelm your prospects with tiny visual details, social media icons, infinite typefaces, pictures of your products, and more.

Have you ever seen Malevich’s painting, “White on White”? That has the right idea: simple, evocative, and memorable, all at the same time.

If there is something positive about free online templates that companies like Vistaprint offer, it is that most of their designs are simple and fields for the information you can provide are limited. This is helpful, because these constraints help to keep your business card simple.

Example of a free Vistaprint business card template.

You can’t clutter one of these.

There is a networking benefit in avoiding clutter on your business card. When you leave space on your business card, you or your prospects may jot down some notes there after you speak. A note on a business card may increase the chances your prospects will remember you and contact you.

Your business card recipients will recall the details they need to know about your products or services. Of course, they may not find everything, but they know how to reach you. You have already provided them with enough information to get in touch with you or search online for additional information.

Conclusion Business cards are more effective when they convey your message in a simple and yet powerful manner. If your business card is full of visual noise, your card By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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may end in the trash. Keep it simple and do not forget to use the back side of your business card.

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Shapes Do not believe people who say business cards are boring! In fact, they rarely ever look the same.

Look at the business card example below: do you love this cute dog? Would you throw away this business card? No, I don’t think you would.

Click to view the business card on our Pinterest gallery.

People who believe business cards are boring ignore the versatility of this small piece of paper and the infinite shapes and sizes it can display. If you want to set your business cards apart from the hundreds of the other cards your prospects are taking home after a networking event or conference, design one with a unique shape.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common shapes and sizes you can use for your business card:  RECTANGULAR BUSINESS CARDS. This is the most common shape for business cards. With a standard size 3.5” x 2.0” card, you can use horizontal or vertical display. If you choose this simple rectangular format, create an outstanding design in order to make it stand out.  ROUNDED CORNER BUSINESS CARDS. Adding rounded corners to your traditional 3.5” x 2.0” card will effectively tell your customers and clients that you are open and friendly. This shape of card blends perfectly with Sans Serif fonts and warm colors.  MINI BUSINESS CARDS. This new format has become very popular in the past few years. The usual size for most online printers is 2.75” x 1.0”, though Moo produces mini business cards that are slightly bigger at 2.75” x 1.1”.

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of mini business cards.

These business card minis are the most versatile of all the shapes. They have become an alternative to standard 3.5” x 2.0” cards that are most often used in business settings. They are widely used in the promotion of social and cultural activities; for example, in art galleries and exhibitions. I have received mini business cards from people who are promoting their blogs, YouTube channels, and social media accounts. If you are involved in cultural or sports events and you want to promote your cause, I recommend mini business cards for added interest.

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Two online printers offering mini business cards are Moo and Zazzle.  SQUARE BUSINESS CARDS. Square cards are printed on 2.0” x 2.0” paper.

Compared to a standard rectangular business card, square business cards have the same height but almost half of its width.

Click to view our Pinterest galley of square busienss cards.

Due to the smaller size, the information on square business cards must be reduced. In fact, if you try to retain the same amount of detail you normally print on a rectangular 3.5” x 2” business card, you will soon notice your square card looks jam-packed.

Pay attention to a lengthy tagline. It may not fit on the 2” square card. A small redesign may be necessary. Try to cut your tagline in two lines and align it to the left border. Finally, use the back of your square card to get additional elements to fit!

Overnight Prints and Moo are two online printers that sell square business cards.  CIRCULAR BUSINESS CARDS. You do not see many of these around. Have you ever received one? If you want to stand out from the crowd, circular business cards are a good choice.

You can order them at most online printing companies. I have found that GotPrint has the largest variety of circular business cards on the market.

You can choose between diameters of 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, and beyond:

 LESS COMMON SHAPES. You can combine the previous shapes and sizes to create a business card that is unique. For example, you can use a square card with rounded corners to create a business card that is half square and half circular, and so on. If you want an unconventional business card, try one like the card at the beginning of this section.

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Look at the different shapes and dimensions of the business cards Uprinting has to offer:

On our allBcards Pinterest gallery, we have pinned a large collection of business cards with creative shapes for your inspiration. Whatever your business or professional activity, you will find one that suits your needs: yoga instructor, jewelry designer, plumber, real estate agent, graphic designer, music teacher, and so many more. It is worth taking a look: www.pinterest.com/allbcards Just as unique shapes create interest, uncommon business card shapes have their detractors. Some business card experts do not like the fact that most of these cards will not fit in standard size wallets, in business card holders, or in standard organizers. For them, most of these cards may inevitably end up in the trash.

Those who support business cards with unusual shapes and sizes, on the other hand, profess that business cards end up in the trash because prospects are not interested in the products and services they promote. This may have nothing to do with the shape of the business card.

Before spending valuable time and money creating an original business card with a unique shape, think carefully as to whether the return on your investment is worth it. It’s up to you to decide if you want a traditional rectangular 3.5� x 2.0� business card or one with an unusual and perhaps unique shape.

Conclusion A business card with a creative shape can make a great impression on your potential customers and clients. You can express your personality and the qualities of your unique business. There is no doubt that your business card will be noticed.

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Keep in mind, a unique business card shape is not a panacea. The truth is, you will not convert more prospects into customers just because you have a business card with a nice shape. That is pure fantasy! A successful business card is just a single element in a complex process. Make a great first impression with a fantastic business card, and then follow up to deliver value to your prospects.

This long term-approach is the only winning strategy.

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Colors Your goal in designing the perfect business card is to ensure that your prospects will not throw it away.

Did you know that the colors you use on your business can drastically affect the number of people who will remember you after a networking event? Did you know that business cards with colors are kept longer?

Yes, it seems that people consider attractive business cards worth keeping. They may not be interested in the product or services offered, but they like the business card! Colorful business cards are definitely more attractive than black and white ones.

Use colors to highlight the most prominent visual elements on your business card: your logo, your headshot, and your background image (if you have included these). A colorful business card is an excellent way to call the attention of your prospects.

Different colors have different meanings. Before choosing a color or multiple colors for your business card, first study your target market and then select the colors that best respond to a mood and specific circumstances.

For example, if you organize events for kids you might want to use garish colors kids love, something you can’t do if you have a business dedicated to funerary services. Not everyone associates the same meaning to colors, so pay attention to the colors you choose.

Here is a list of colors with their main associations in a western culture:       

RED: courage, passion, happiness, and celebration PINK: tenderness, seduction, and the romantic ORANGE & YELLOW: optimism, warmth, joy, and pleasure GREEN: nature, vivacity, life, social status, wealth, and the dollar BLUE: harmony, faithfulness, and confidence BLACK: power, authority, elegance, and solemnity : innocence, cleanliness, impartiality, beginnings, new, and fresh

If you are looking for inspiration in terms of color for your next business card, check out our Pinterest galleries.

In addition to the interests of your local demographic target market, be aware that the different meanings associated with colors are also culturally dependent.

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countries you are not familiar with. For example, red is the color of abundance and happiness in China so a red business card might be a good idea. However, in an ex-communist country red means something different. You do not want your potential business partners to think you are handing them a sort of excommunist party membership card!

There is much to say about color modes and the best ways to combine them.

Let’s scratch the surface on this deep subject. You may already know what complementary colors are, but blending them for balance can be a challenge. If you want to combine warm (yellow-orange-red) colors and cold colors (purpleblue-green), some talent is needed. People attempt this on their own, but most of these experiments result in complete failed business cards. Leave it to the experts at online business card companies or skilled graphic designers.

One of the features that allBcards provides completely free is the ability to search for business cards by their dominant colors:

Use caution when you send your business card design to the printer, since the colors you see on the screen are not the same as you will see on the printed product.

Here’s what happens: Computer screens usually work in RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) mode, and commercial printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key/Black) mode. The two modes are not completely compatible. In order to avoid problems before you send your business card to a printer, check to see how your business card looks in CMYK mode by changing the default mode on your computer screen (or within the software program you are using).

Before ordering hundreds of new business cards, most local printers will print a couple of sample business cards for your proof. Make sure they do. This way you will be able to see if the colors are what you expect and that they match your other marketing materials.

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There are hundreds of colors you can use for your business card and there are infinite ways to combine them.

Colors are critical to the success of your business card design, so I always recommend consulting with or hiring a professional designer. No one knows your business and target market as well as you do, so take into account the previous tips and—with the help of a designer—use colors to your advantage to send the right message to your customers and prospects.

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Background You have heard many times that “a picture is worth a thousand words.� If images increase engagement by their audiences and your business card is sometimes the only opportunity you have to positively impress a potential customer or client, why not use a background image on your business card?

What kind of image, you ask? I will help you decide.

Use an image that is relevant to your business. Oftentimes, I have come across business cards with background images that are too generic or simply have nothing to do with the products or services the person is promoting. For example, if you are in the real estate industry, do not use a picture of a beach no matter how beautiful the beach might be. Irrelevant images do not add value for your prospects. Your business card is small, so an additional element must always be an asset to your business card. As a real estate agent, you could use a picture of a beautiful house or a gorgeous view from the condominium you are selling or renting.

Use a professional and relevant background image on your business card.

Be aware that a background image could make your text unreadable on your business card. If you use a dark background, do not use dark fonts since the text will be difficult to read. Most of the time, a dark image will blend perfectly with a light font, and a light background will blend with a dark font.

Large online printing companies usually have a variety of free background templates to can choose from. You can find hundreds of business card designs for almost any industry. How great is that? You select a free template, you add your content, and they may print the business cards for free. Sounds great, right?

Not so fast!

Even though online printing companies are offering free and easy products and services, it does not mean this is the solution. There is something you should consider before ordering.

Other people are using those same background templates! One of the most characteristic strengths of business cards is the versatility and ability to convey a specific message in a unique way. If you use one of these free templates you are depriving your business card of its unique power. If you are on a budget, it may be a suitable option, but be aware of a lower impact in your business card strategy.

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Free business card templates by Vistaprint.

A better option is Zazzle. On this online printer graphic designers sell their business card designs at a reasonable price (in average between $15 to $50):

Conclusion A background image on your business card can be a good way to attract the attention of your customers and prospects.

Use a background that contrasts well with the rest of your content, whether it is text or images, and keep it relevant to your business.

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Fonts If you are one of those people who believe that any font will work as long as your message is delivered, think twice! The message you are trying to communicate with your business card will come across completely different based on the type of font you use.

“Really? Are you sure?” Yes, absolutely!

If you are not a graphic designer―and I am assuming most of the readers of this guide are not―this is what you should know about the use of fonts on business cards: Choose a font that is easy to read and, at the same time, has the potential to call your prospects’ attention. These two characteristics may seem incompatible at first. Many people think that eye-catching fonts translate to typefaces with serifs and fancy shapes. The fact is, for business cards the opposite is generally true. Attractive and effective business cards have simple and readable fonts.

“What else should I know about using fonts on my business card?”

Tip 1―Choose your business card fonts according to your industry.

You may not be aware, but some fonts are more suited to certain types of businesses and professional activities than others. Let me clarify this point.

There are two main groups of fonts: Serif and Sans Serif. Serif fonts have small lines attached to the end of each stroke in a letter; Sans Serif fonts do not. Serif fonts are commonly associated with classic businesses and traditional ideas.

Sans Serif, on the other hand, bring to mind modern trends. For example, if you own a shop where you sell gothic clothes and accessories, select a font with serifs for your business card. Something like this: “My Business.” If you are involved with the technology industry, use a font without serifs: “My Business.”

It is recommended that you use no more than two different fontss on the space of your business card. “How can I blend them? Can I combine Serif and Sans Serif fonts?” This is known as a difficult subject in graphics design. Many fonts simply do not fit together, while others do. If you do not know the subject and you attempt to place mismatched fonts on your business card, you take the risk of coming across as careless and unprofessional. Ask a graphic designer for help.

Tip 2―Use fonts that reflect your unique personality and your business values.

It is important to use fonts that match the mood and values of your business.

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meanings associated with fonts are not as straightforward as we would like it to be. It is a complicated business!

You may choose to use fonts in only uppercase or lowercase, vary the sizes, combine bold fonts with light and italic fonts, underline parts of the text, and so on. The options are infinite and the choices are perplexing, so the best way to get it right is to talk to a professional designer and ask for advice.

Only a graphic designer can tell you which type of fonts you should use on your business card.

Be aware there are some Fonts You Should Avoid at All Cost:  Fonts that imitate hand-written text make your content unreadable and impede the natural flow of the readers’ eyes. Here are two examples of fonts to avoid: Edwardian script and Palace Script . Your prospects will despise you for using them. Worse yet, they may toss your business card.  Do not include fonts that are amusing, unprofessional, or irrelevant. The most common of these are IMPACT, Comic Sans and Papyrus. The fonts you use should fit the image you want to deliver. If you want to look professional, avoid these fonts.  Do not use fonts that are standard for other media. For example, Time New Roman is the typical font used for large text on many newspapers and books. It is instantly associated with informative “boring” text. On the other hand, Verdana and Arial are widely used on the web. If you can, avoid these sorts of fonts and choose an alternative with similar stylistic qualities.

Be aware that if your business card has bright and narrow text against a dark background, when you print, the ink might cross over the text and make it unreadable. Check this before sending a new business card to the printer.

Always view a proof.

Conclusion The perfect combination of fonts is an area of study that takes years of experience to master. Only a skilled graphic designer will be able to guide you in selecting the proper fonts for your new business cards. I hope this section has helped you with the basics.

Follow the recommendations above, and your business card will be more readable and relevant for your business image and values.

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Paper Effective business cards are about more than content and design. No doubt, content and design are important, but how does your business card feel when you touch it? Does it feel like toilet paper? Is this the brand image you want to convey to your prospects?

Seriously, paper stock is something you shouldn’t take for granted. Business networking experts state time and again that if you use high quality paper for your business cards, you will make a memorable first impression on your prospects.

Your prospects will remember you and just how serious and professional you are about your business. This is the idea behind exchanging business cards. So, think twice before ordering business cards printed on low-quality paper.

What are the characteristics of a good business card paper stock?

First of all, your card must feel pleasant to touch. You know, it feels nice in your hands. It is soft but not flimsy, smooth but at the same time rigid. It is a beautiful feeling when you hold it in your hands.

A good business card paper stock makes your prospects want to grab it.

There are two broad types of paper: matte and glossy. Matte paper is the most common. If you did not include any special visual elements on your business card, matte paper is a good option. It looks professional and less pretentious than glossy paper.

Glossy paper, on the other hand, is brighter and more attractive. If you have images on your business card, glossy paper is a good choice.

If you print your business cards on glossy paper stock, double check that you can write on them with most pens. Try different pens and be sure to take along the appropriate one when you are networking. If your prospects need to, they will be able to jot notes on your business card.

The thickness of your business card is also important. You do not want it to be too thin, but not too heavy either—just the perfect weight.

Business cards are normally printed in 14, 15, or 16 point paper stock, or 0.14, 0.15 and 0.16 inches, respectively. In general, a 1 stock thickness point is equivalent to 0.001 inches. See the table below for a list of paper thicknesses for some of the most popular online business printers.

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If you want a more sturdy business card to give the impression that your business is durable and reliable, you can order cards that are much thicker than the standard ones. Moo offers business cards printed on thick, 32pt “Luxe Paper,” and Overnight Prints has “Sandwich Business Cards” at 42pt and 56pt. These cards are three to four times thicker than a typical business card. Vistaprint has “Ultra Thick Business Cards”, but they are only two times thicker than common cards.

Business cards are tangible, and they cannot be replaced by a simple verbal exchange of contact details. Moreover, the pleasant feeling you get when you touch a high-quality business card is an experience that no mobile app can substitute. Those who do not use business cards are missing something special.

Conclusion The quality of paper stock you use for your business card says a lot about you and your business.

A business card with a soft feel tells others that you are approachable and friendly. A sturdy business card indicates, in a subtle manner, that you are a determined and responsible person, that your business is solid, and that you are a trustworthy business partner.

If you combine all of the possible associations stock paper invites along with other elements of a business card such as colors, fonts, and so on, the range of possible messages is infinite. With a perfect business card, your message can practically speak for itself about your business. This is something you will never be able to do with the modest verbal or contemporary digital exchange of contact information.

Before choosing paper stock for your new business cards, ask yourself: What image do I want to project for my business? What will my prospects think when they hand out my business card for the first time? Will it be the best positive impression possible? How can I improve the experience? How can the quality of the paper help me?

Ask your local printer for advice. They will be able to help you in selecting the best paper stock for your business card.

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Other Materials What comes to your mind when you think about awesome and effective business cards? Attractive colors, engaging images, and nice fonts. Right?

Have you ever received a business card made of pastry or meat? If you did, you would certainly remember it!

Click to view our Pinterest gallery of edible business cards.

The desire to be easily remembered, to stand out, are the reasons business owners and professionals prefer to make their cards with materials other than paper. You can find business cards made of plastic, metal, wood, cork, leather, tissue, cotton, wool, cardboard, ceramic, and edible materials like chocolate, peanuts, pastry and dried meat. If you need some inspiration for your new business card, take a look at our Pinterest gallery with an incredible number of amazing non-paper business card ideas. We have the largest collection of business cards on the web!

Why are business cards made from unusual materials attractive and memorable?

The reason is, we are used to receiving business cards made of paper, and we like to see new things! When we receive a traditional paper card and we are not interested in the person’s business, or the card doesn’t have an amazing design, we throw it away. That’s normal. We want to clear our desks of things that in a matter of a few days or hours will become trash. When a business card is made from an unusual material, we may take a different approach.

I have received thousands of business cards, but I have only received twelve business cards that were not made of paper. Eleven were made of plastic and one was made of metal. Not surprising, I keep them. Wouldn’t you?

The number one reason business cards made of materials other than paper are so impressive and are usually kept longer is that people think they are nicer than typical business cards. This does not mean your business card will not be thrown away—it just increases the odds that your prospects will keep it longer.

The other reason why people use alternatives to paper for their business cards is to make a great first impression.

Below are some Business Cards Made from Alternative Materials that can be printed on something other than paper:  PLASTIC BUSINESS CARDS A plastic business card will stand out from the rest of the business cards exchanged in a networking event or social gathering. How many plastic business cards did you see the last time you attended a networking function?

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Not too many, I bet. If you got one, I am sure you still remember the traits of the person who gave it to you and the nature of their business. Of course, you also remember the business card, at least the color and the shape. That is way more than what you remember about the other people you met.

Most plastic business cards today are made of PVC, a very resistant and malleable sort of plastic. Different processes produce the types of plastic business cards you see on the market. In one process, the ink is placed directly on the plastic material, and then the two sides of the card are covered with a thin layer using heat and pressure. Translucent and semitranslucent plastic cards are created with a gel of plastic and then the ink is applied. Visit this website PlasmaDesign to learn more about the process of producing plastic business cards.

The final result is a stylish and elegant business card. You can take them with you to a networking event and be certain to make a memorable first impression. Keep in mind that plastic business cards are much thicker than standard paper business cards (more or less like a credit card). If you plan to give out more than twenty of these cards during the function, think in advance as to where you will carry them with ease.

Depending on your target market segment, you may invest between $1 to $2 for each plastic business card. If you think your prospects will be just as impressed by your traditional paper business card, then reconsider the cost of your new expensive plastic business cards.

Check out our Pinterest gallery with 60+ plastic business cards for inspiration.

You may have received few plastic business cards over the years, but receipt of a metallic business card is less probable.  METALLIC BUSINESS CARDS Business cards made of metal are simply remarkable. They look professional and luxurious. As soon as you see one of these cards, you associate the person who gives it to you with success. It’s automatic and unavoidable!

Thanks to recent technological advances, today companies can print business cards in many different shapes, thicknesses, sizes, and colors: mini business cards, rounded corners, circular, and more. Click here to see our Pinterest gallery with more than 60 metallic business cards.

The high cost of a metallic business card is why we associate it with success and wealth. If you want one of these, be ready to pay around $2 to $3 each, roughly ten times more than an average paper business card. They can go as high as $1,500 each!

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If you want to make the best possible first impression on your clients and prospects, hand them a metallic business card. None of your prospects will ever throw away what is likely the only metallic business card, and the most expensive one, they have ever received.  WOODEN BUSINESS CARDS When I mention that a business card can be made of wood, I get this reply: “Cutting down a tree for a business card? No way!”

The truth is, a wooden business card is among the most eco-friendly cards you can find on the market.

These business cards are the perfect option for you if you work in the wood industry or produce objects made of wood. You have a wide range of tones to choose from, ranging from warm tones to dark tones. They can be laser engraved or printed, and they come in a wide variety of thicknesses. The degree of details for these business cards can be astonishing.

Here is a link to our Pinterest gallery of business cards made of wood.

Wooden business cards are not as durable as metallic or plastic business cards, however, they are quite resistant. If you have a wooden business card and you follow the guidelines I’ve provided in this eBook―using the right content and the right design―you can be sure your prospects will keep your business card for a long time.

Conclusion If you are in a competitive industry and you want to set yourself apart from the competition, I highly recommend an alternative material for your business card.

Depending on your industry and budget, you might prefer to print a plastic, metallic, or wooden card. If you want something even more unconventional, you can design a business card made of dried meat or chocolate. In the end, it depends on your target customers, but do not hesitate to be creative!

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DON'Ts Have you ever wondered why some business cards are kept while others are not?

You no longer have to guess the answer. Below I have put together a list that will help you with this.

If your business cards are thrown away the same day you give them out, chances are it has to do with poor design elements.

To help you avoid some of these mistakes, the following list contains 11 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your New Business Card: 1. Your business card is so crowded that your prospects will not bother reading it. They will pitch it in the trash as soon as you turn your back.

2. You use too many colors and your card looks more like a mini circus billboard.

No one will take you seriously.

3. The fonts you use are so tiny that your customers and clients need a magnifying glass to read the text.

4. The colors on the business cards you just received from the printer do not match your other marketing materials. Do not forget that the colors you see on the screen are not always exactly what you see on the printed card.

5. Visual elements seem to be added at random. Your prospects find it annoying when they have to search for the most important information on your business card.

6. Your business card looks more like a flyer. It contains too many salesy words, promotions, price symbols, product images, and so forth.

7. Your business card delivers a brand image that does not fit your other corporate materials. Be consistent, so that potential customers and clients can easily recognize your brand.

8. You use light fonts on a dark background and the text is illegible on the printed business card. Verify readability with your print shop or online company before you print hundreds of new cards.

9. There is too much text on your business card. Keep it simple.

10. You didn’t put your text within the safe zone and it was cut off!

11. You are not using the back of your business card. Huge mistake!

Unfortunately, these mistakes are made every day by millions of business owners around the world. Be smart and learn from them!

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Conclusion With everything you have learned in this eBook thus far, you are now ready to begin designing your dream business card. Before you design it, re-read the common mistakes and try to avoid them.

Congratulations! Thanks to your new business card design you are on the right track to attract more prospects, steadily grow your network, and increase your monthly revenue. Let us continue our journey and discuss several facts about the process of ordering and printing business cards.

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4. Online and Offline Business Card Printing “The impression your business card can make and the business leads it can generate demand you spend the extra dollars to make it the very best it can be.”

—Big Mike McDaniel, Author of Business Cards: Front to Back

As we have learned in previous chapters of this eBook, business cards are more than useful tools to exchange contact details and information.

We learned that in order to deliver your message effectively, you need to include the right content and create an attractive business card using the appropriate design, shape, and material. To craft a memorable business card, you also need a high-quality printer. This is the subject of the present chapter: how to choose the right printer for your new business cards.

Friends and allBcards’ customers often ask: Can I print my business card at home?

Are local print shops better than online printing companies? What is the cost of a pack of new business cards? What will I get if I order free business cards? What will people think of my business?

Below is a brief sketch of the topics in the following sections.

It is not a good idea to use your home or office printer to print your business cards. The final product is unprofessional and your cards may leave a negative impression about you and your business. However, some companies like Avery offer good and affordable solutions that can be helpful if you must print your own business cards.

Both local printers and online solutions have pros and cons.

Your local print shop is usually an excellent source for advice about your business cards. You can ask questions regarding the general layout of your business card and the paper stock that best fits your business and budget. If you need help with the design, they may be of assistance or they can recommend a good graphic designer.

Online printing solutions have positive points as well, mainly the fact that you can decide on every element in the production process, from design to shipping.

Start by visiting the website. Select the background image you want for your business card, and then enter the information related to your business. Pick the card stock you desire, and select the number of business cards you need. Finally, choose the shipping preferences and the day you want to receive them.

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Online printers are becoming increasingly aware of their customers’ needs and some of them are now providing personalized customer service.

Depending on your budget and your target market, your business card can cost you a few cents or few dollars. The quality of the paper and the material you choose (plastic, metal, wood, etc.) will be the most determinant factor.

Concerning free business cards, it is fair to say that many business people find them unprofessional. There is a wide consensus among networking experts and business professionals that free business cards are a no-go solution. However, if you are starting a new business, they can be a convenient, low-cost option.

These topics will be covered in more depth in the following sections. You will discover what you need to know to wisely select the printing service that will deliver the business card you always dreamed of.

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DOs How do you feel when you are ready to click on the “Order Now” button? Are you afraid that your printed business cards won’t look exactly as you want? Will you be disappointed and forced to reorder new cards?

We have all been in that situation. Even though we have checked the work several times, we are afraid we have missed something. “What if I forgot my email address?” “What if there is a typo?” You do not want to waste money on business cards that will be tossed.

Does the picture in your mind of throwing away your new business cards because of a small error make you tremble?

I will help you manage this situation. I have seen many business cards, and I know what people tend to forget. Below is a list of 6 Most Common Business Card Printing Mistakes, and how to avoid them: 1. The necessary information is not included.

In Chapter 2, we learned that the most important information on your business card depends on the nature of your business. However, you should always include your name, company name, tagline, email, and phone number. If you have additional information or messages that you want to communicate, check for those also.

2. There are typos.

This may be ridiculously obvious, but typos happen a lot. Before clicking on the “Order Now” button, verify that your name and contact information are spelled correctly. Many people have printed business cards that show a mistake. The difficulty is: you cannot always see your own mistakes. It is best to ask a friend or colleague to take a look at your business card to find possible misspellings or errors.

3. The information is out of date.

A business card with outdated information is useless, and it looks unprofessional to cross it out and then give it to your prospects. Check to see that all of the information on your business card is current: email, phone, address, etc.

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If there are typos or outdated information on your business cards, throw them away!

4. The information is cut off.

Take a look at this image of a business card:

The blue line―called the trim―indicates where your business card will be cut. The light blue area―the bleed area―represents the paper that will be discarded. Since the machine might not cut the card exactly where you specified, the red rectangle―the safe area―indicates where it is safe to place your information. Note: none of these lines actually print on your business card.

Avoid reordering new business cards.

Double check that your design is inside the safe area.

The image below shows a business card template from Overnight Prints, with the same properties:

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Be aware that different printing companies use a slightly different variation of the above terminology. Look at Vistaprint for example:

Vistaprint has only one border while Overnight Prints has two, to prevent your information from being cut off. A Vistaprint user reported this issue:

Some online printers notify you on their websites of the dimensions of these outlines. For example, Moo’s dimensions are shown below:

5. Printed colors are not what you expected.

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You learned earlier that colors you see on the computer screen do not look the same when they are printed on paper. People often forget this and then they are disappointed with their new business cards.

Before printing hundreds of business cards that will cost you money, check that the colors on the final product are as close as possible to what you want.

This is not always easy, but talk to your printer to see what they can do for you. They have catalogs to check in order to reproduce the colors you want for your business card.

Often colors are not vivid enough or they are simply not the ones the customer chose. In the screenshot below, a Vistaprint customer complains because the business cards she ordered did not arrive with the colors she expected:

The customer was fortunate that Vistaprint recognized the problem and took responsibility. Not all printers will respond this way. Take into account this tip the next time you order business cards, and avoid wasting money.

6. The images are not clear and small details are imperceptible.

Small drops (dots) of ink produce the visual content of your business cards.

The more drops per-surface area, the finer the final product. How may drops (dots) is enough to create a high quality printed business card? It is understood that 300 dots per square inch will be adequate for color on a business card.

The problem arises when you send images to the printer that do not have enough dots per square inch. When you look at the screen, the image looks great, but when you print, the image comes out blurred and fuzzy.

Online and local printers usually take care of this problem. If you send them a picture with a low resolution, they will let you know if the image is not adequate for printing and ask you to send another one. To avoid the problem, every time you order new business cards, send the picture with the highest resolution available.

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Moo’s tips to avoid printing a fuzzy business card.

Conclusion I hope these tips will help you avoid printing business cards that will need to be thrown away.

Consider how gratifying it would be to look at your next monthly revenue and realize that your new business cards have increased your income. This is completely possible. You need to take precautions and follow the tips in this section.

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Prices You want to make a lasting impression on your potential clients and customers.

Who doesn’t? But how much are you willing to pay for a business card? Could you afford a business card worth $1,500?

A company based in England will craft especially for you the most luxurious business card ever. Their cards have diamonds encrusted on delicate cast acrylic or classy metal. Your name and photo will be engraved onto the card. These luxurious business cards also come in different colors for you to choose from.

The price: $1,500!

Since most of us do not have the money to spend on such luxurious business cards, let us consider the prices from some of the most affordable online business card printing companies.

The business card industry is very competitive and online printers continously change their prices, with new promotions every once in awhile. Check these websites regularly to see if they have new offers.

Vistaprint has a large variety of business card designs, shapes, and paper stocks.

Standard 3.5” x 2.0” business cards start at $9.37 for 100 of them.

The quality of Moo’sbusiness cards is better than Vistaprint’s, in consequence the prices are higher. For 100 classic business cards you will pay $39.98.

Overnight Prints offers 100 business cards for $10.55 plus shipping. The Pricing Calculator on their website will tell you exactly how much you will pay for your new pack of business cards.

Uprinting has “Standard Business Cards” (from $8.45 for 25 cards) and “Die-Cut Business Cards” (from $28.35 for 25 cards).

GotPrint’s prices start at around $7 for 100 standard business cards.

If you are not sure how many business cards to print, always start with a small number. If you like the product, you can order more business cards from this printer. If you don’t like them, try another company.

Conclusion You may not believe that spending a few cents more on a business card can affect your networking success, but it really can. Look at successful business people in your circle.

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Successful friends and colleagues do not usually have business cards worth $1,500 each. Their business cards were not cheap either. They were simply unique, well-thought-out cards worth remembering. Effective business cards are not expensive, but they are not free either.

I recommend you visit the websites of online printers I link above. For each one, upload the business card you want to print (content, shape, back side, paper stock, and shipping) and compare prices. Select an online printer and order your business cards. Repeat this process elsewhere if you are not satisfied with the product delivered. This can be a tedious process that you won’t want to repeat every time you order new cards. Once you have found a printer that delivers a product you are satisfied with, stay with them.

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Online vs Offline Creating and ordering new business cards is time consuming and it represents an extra investment of our limited resources. So why not use an online business card printing service which makes things much faster and cheaper than a local printer?

Sometimes online printing companies offer to print business cards for free and you pay for shipping. Or, you pay for the business cards and they ship them to you for free. There are so many options!

Online printers are very good, no doubt. Recently, they have become the first choice for people looking for cheap business cards and fast turnarounds. Here are some of the advantages of choosing an online printing company for your next business card order: Online Printing Advantages  Online printing services are much cheaper. They have less brick-andmortar space and staff to maintain.  The hours are flexible. Online printers don’t have regular hours, so you can order your new business cards anytime. It can be during the week after you’ve put the kids to bed or on Sunday morning before you go out to play golf.  You can order business cards without leaving your home or office. If you have a busy day ahead with no time for a trip to the local print shop, you can turn on your computer, design a business card, and order your new business cards online. You need an Internet connection and that’s it.  Online printers have faster turnarounds. In couple of days, you can have your new business cards delivered to your home.  You control every step of the process, from design to shipping times.  Since the most popular online printing companies are much larger than many local printers, they have modern machines and therefore more alternatives to choose from―colors, shapes, paper stocks, types of ink, etc.

Offline printers have their advantages, too. Let’s review some of them.

Offline Printing Advantages

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 You talk to a real person. The difference is similar to ordering books from Amazon versus going to a bookshop. Maybe you are going to buy the same books, but the buying experience is completely different.  You get free advice. In your local print shop you can have a conversation with a customer representative. You can tell that person about your needs and your target market and they will help you with the concept and the message your business card must deliver.  A local printer will be able to print a sample of your business cards before you order hundreds of them. This allows you to check the quality of the final product before ordering a whole pack.  You would like to support your local community. Did you know that millions of small businesses in America account for more than half of the sales in the entire country? If you don’t own a national or multinational corporation, supporting your local community in the long term means supporting your small business.

Printing Business Cards From Home Printing business cards from home is popular among people who are just starting their businesses. The option is attractive if you are creating sample business cards using an online business card template or software, and you want to see what they look like.

Some people go a step further and buy special paper that is thick and sturdy, like real card stock, to make the best of it: bit.ly/allbcards-avery-paper. After printing on a home printer, individual business cards can be easily snapped apart. The best quality papers result in cards with smooth and non-perforated edges.

Whether you use a special paper or not, in matters of minutes you have new business cards in your hands. You feel great, ready to meet new prospects and amaze them with your fabulous piece of art. Not so fast!

We are sorry to disappoint you, but you will impress no one with unprofessional homemade business cards.

The truth is, most people will think your business card looks cheap and unprofessional. You will give the impression that you are in a transitory business and you don’t want to spend money on your business cards or your business!

Another point worth mentioning about homemade business cards is that they are not cheap. For instance, if you buy the perforated business card paper, you will be paying around $15 for 200 business cards, without counting the cost of the ink and other small expenses. You will get a better quality business card for almost the same price at Vistaprint or other online printers.

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Conclusion Online and offline printing services have both pros and cons. To decide which option is best for you, you must first consider how much money you want to spend, how much time, and how many resources you want to invest on the design and printing of your business cards. I have used both methods and they have worked well. Use the option that delivers the best quality product.

I do not recommend changing your printing service, whether online or offline, if they are providing a good product. Trying other companies can be time consuming and sometimes disappointing.

Today you can find high-end home-based printers that create acceptable business cards, but the quality is never as good as that offered by commercial printers. Two weeks before you run out of business cards, order new cards from your favorite online or local printer and avoid the chance of leaving an unprofessional impression.

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Free You may or may not have ordered business cards from Vistaprint, but you have seen their banners offering 250 business cards for free. Their ads are everywhere: on the web, on TV, with amazon orders, you name it. Have you been tempted to order them? Who hasn’t? Free stuff! Who doesn’t want free stuff?

Let me be clear on one point: your prospects will notice if you are handing out free business cards. The quality of the paper is not the best, the background image is not unique, and the back side of your business card looks like this:

“Business Cards are FREE at www.Vistaprint.com” … and you advertise for them, for free!

What?! Yes, you choose the front of your business card from their gallery of free business card templates, and they advertise their services on the back! Free to you, free advertising for them!

Moo, on the other hand, prefers not to include their logo on the back of their free business cards; instead, they promote their business partners:

Advertisements at the back of two free business cards by Moo. At first, it looks a good deal. I’m sure it can be helpful if you have no money to spend on business cards. But what will your prospects think? “The poor guy, he must be broke,” or, “Wow, he can’t even invest in decent business cards,” or, “Oh my gosh, another cheap Vistaprint business card.”

Is this the image you want to deliver to your potential business partners?

Think about it.

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Templates to create your own free business cards from Vistaprint website.

The consensus—people despise free business cards. I have many articles online of people complaining that their new business cards look bad, have poor quality, and are unpleasant to touch.

Here are 5 Reasons Why Free Business Cards Look So Cheap:  The paper is much thinner than the paper used for standard business cards. It is flimsy and uncoated.  The ad from the printing company on the back of the card can leave a bad impression.  The same templates are used by many people, so your business card is not unique.  To reduce costs, printers use less ink. In general, colors are less vivid.  For some printers (like Vistaprint), free business cards are a bit smaller than traditional business cards.

Those who order free business cards obviously do not have the money to spend on extra marketing materials. However, there are better solutions for exchanging your contact information and spending little or no money. For instance, there are hundreds of mobile apps that allow you to exchange your contact information for free.

The use of business cards is not a matter of saving a few dollars!

Business cards are a great tool, not because they are the cheapest way to promote your business or exchange your contact details, but because they help you make the best impression on your prospects. With business cards, you can convey your message in the most convincing and memorable way. That’s why they are unique.

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Free business cards are not a solid solution for networking.

Spend a little extra money on high quality cards.

If you must order free business cards, remember always to check the proof for the printer’s advertisement on the back of the card. You may want to reconsider.

Conclusion There is nothing wrong with saving money on free business cards if you are just starting your own small business or need them for a professional activity on a budget. These free cards will help you pass across your message, but keep in mind they will not make the best impression on your customers and prospects.

As soon as your business starts gaining some traction, throw your free business cards away and spend some money on durable, high quality business cards that feel rich.

Do not believe ads that promise free business cards as a successful tactic to reach more prospects and grow your network. It’s too risky and expensive for a serious business owner to make a bad first impression with cheap business cards.

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5. Your Business Card Distribution Plan “Think of your business cards as seeds and plant them cheerfully.”

—Reno Lovison, Author of Turn Your Business Card into Business

Designing and printing your new business card is only part of an entire process.

If you can’t use your business cards to grow your network and increase your revenues, you will not be in business for long.

How do you convert your business card into a powerful marketing tool? You must craft a savvy distribution plan!

In the previous chapters, we learned how to create and order an effective business card. Now that you have them, what do you plan to do with them? If you are like most people, you have no plan at all. You may give your new business cards to people you meet by chance, but sadly this is the wrong way to proceed.

If you have no plan for distributing your business cards, do not bother spending the money on them.

In order to teach you how to design a successful business card distribution plan, on the following pages I have assembled some important concepts business card experts have found: what works and what doesn’t.

The one fact business card and networking experts have learned is that you are not likely to see results right away. If you keep up with systematically placing your business cards in the right hands, you will begin to see traction within two to six months.

In my next eBook The Complete Guide to Business Networking, I will explain how to successfully network with your business card. Whether you go to a local business networking function with a small group of people or to a large conference with hundreds of attendees, this guide will teach you the most effective tips and tricks networking experts use. With this knowledge and some practice, you will become a “ninja” networker in only a few months.

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Why a Distribution Plan?

Have you ever felt that no matter how much time and money you spend toward the design and printing of your new business card, it is still not effective? You can’t understand why your prospects are not calling or showing interest in your business.

If this happens to you frequently, it is likely you have a problem with your business card distribution strategy. Or worse, you don’t have a distribution strategy at all!

The painful truth is that most of us order brand new business cards without any real idea of what to do with them.

When we receive new business cards, it is a good feeling. We feel that we are serious business people. We visualize others congratulating us for our awardwinning business card, but when the time comes to get them into the right hands, ironically we do not know what approach to take. Why is this so? There must be an explanation for this passive behavior.

Below are 3 Reasons that Explain Why Some People Do Not Feel at Ease Giving Out their Business Cards.

1. Stinginess. Some people do not feel comfortable giving away that which has taken them considerable time and effort to create and that which they own.

They have spent so many hours creating the perfect business card design and inspecting the content, that they believe their business card is a most beautiful work of art. As a consequence, as bizarre as it sounds, they don’t want others to have them!

2. Self-satisfaction. Getting out of a comfort zone is difficult for some. Most of us feel terrified at the idea of meeting dozens of new people and trying to sell our company or ourselves. But, we know if we want to be successful, we have to order business cards and network. So, the simple idea of having business cards makes us feel that we are headed in the right direction. Of course, nothing will result from obtaining business cards and leaving them at home on your desk. But, somehow, this makes us feel pleased that we have at least accomplished something in the direction of our business goals.

3. Unworthiness. Many beginning business owners claim they have difficulty meeting the right customers or clients for their business. They say, “Why should I carry my business card with me? Nobody will ask me for it!” For them, there is no reason to carry business cards. They often feel unworthy or too

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shy to promote themselves. These people need a little confidence and a business card strategy to take their business to a new level.

If you are among the types of people who keep their business cards at home instead of giving them to others, let me remind you: maybe you are not aware, but the whole idea of having new business cards is to share them with other people; people who can bring you business.

This is the key point: If you want to see your business grow, then give your business cards to others!!!

Below are three questions people ask when you suggest a systematic plan to distribute their business cards.  How many business cards should I give out each week? If you are serious about your business, according to networking experts you should be handing out over 250 business cards every month; that is, about 8 business cards every day, or 3,000 in a year. What about you? How many business cards have you ordered and handed out so far this year?  To whom should I give my business card? Ideally, your business cards should be in the hands of your best prospects or clients. But, to achieve this goal, you need to target a large market and include people who may not currently buy from you.

Why give business cards to people who can’t contribute to your business?

Business cards are for doing business, not making friends, right? Well, yes and no. Remember that unexpected things could happen. Give out your business cards generously. You never know who will become your next client or send you a new lead.  Where should I leave my business cards? Think about places where your ideal clients or customers congregate and leave your business cards in those places. Check back regularly and restock the supply if people have taken them. Leave business cards in places where traffic is high, and stop leaving business cards where they are not taken. Finally, don’t forget to ask people who contacted you where they found your business card.

These points will surface again in the following sections.

Conclusion You need a business card distribution plan, and you should start one right now.

You cannot afford to continue missing business opportunities. I guarantee if you leave your business cards at home, no one will call you!

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Make a plan and expect results in several weeks. If you are going to distribute your business cards, make sure you leave them in strategic places and then constantly check back to see what locations are bringing the highest return on your time and money invested. If you still don’t see the results you expected, tweak your plan to adjust your tactics and maximize your efforts. Attend at least one local networking event per week and one major event at least once a month.

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Strategies In the past few years, I have learned that most entrepreneurs and small business owners do not have a systematic plan to distribute their business cards. Even seasoned and successful business people paradoxically ignore the effectiveness of a strategic distribution plan. If they could foresee the results, their businesses would be much larger and more profitable.

Below is a list of 11 Ideas You can Start Using Today to Distribute Your Business Cards. If you use them strategically, business card experts guarantee that in the short term you will expand your network and find more clients and customers.  If you frequently attend meetings by your local chamber of commerce or you stop by your community center on a regular basis, ask staff if you can leave some of your business cards in a visible spot. Depending on the nature of your business, health centers might also be effective. Always ask for permission before leaving your business cards.  Pin five to ten of your business cards on bulletin boards you find in your local area. You can find them in public places such as shopping centers, coffee shops, cinemas, theaters, and schools.  Include a couple of your business cards with every package or envelope you send. If you are shipping a product someone purchased, sending a follow-up letter, paying a bill, or sending an invoice, include a couple of your business cards. In this way, you will send a clear message to your customers and prospects that you are open for business.  If you are sending a present to one of your customers, such as a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers, attach your business card to it.  You can leave your business card on the table every time you pay a bill and leave a tip at a restaurant. This practice may seem a bit aggressive, but it may generate a lead. Create a business card especially for these occasions (a mini business card is an excellent idea).  Use the fishbowls in restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses, to drop some of your cards. They may need your services or products.  Place your business cards on the rear window or windshield of vehicles you find on the street or in parking lots. Pay attention to laws in some cities and states that may pertain to this activity. It may be illegal.  If you have magnetic cards, stick them on cars and metallic doors.

Magnetic business cards are more expensive than paper cards, so think carefully about where you want to leave them.  Do not be afraid to give more than one business card to people who make good referrals. Most of the time, customers and clients who are happy with your products and services will be glad to send their friends to By allBcards, Your Free Online Business Card Manager

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you. Next time you meet them, ask if they know anyone who would be interested in your products or services, and give them a couple of your business cards.  Non-competing businesses within your industry are an excellent source of referrals. Talk to them and build a mutually beneficial referral system.  Don’t forget to give your business cards to your family and friends. They know perfectly well what you do and they will be happy to see you prosper.

If you want to learn how to effectively distribute your business cards, take a look at Chapter 2 of Reno Lovison’s book, Turn Your Business Card into Business.

Lovison’s book is full of original and clever ideas, and tells you exactly how to implement them.

Be aware that some of these ideas involve little or no personal contact, so they might not be as effective as you expect. You will see growth in your network, but without a face-to-face strategy you will only realize modest results.

Leave your business cards everywhere you go, and create an army of supporters to help you spread the word about your business. Following these concepts for business card distribution will help your network grow quickly, but you must complement your business card distribution strategy with a business networking plan and a systematic follow-up program.

Finally, the most aggressive business card distribution idea ever: Go to a bookshop or library and leave a couple of your business cards inside the books your potential customers or clients would likely buy or read. For example, if you are a sales or marketing consultant, leave your business card inside books related to marketing. Keep in mind, this strategy may be disrespectful with regard to some readers or the institution.

Conclusion In this eBook, I have shared some ideas for an effective business card distribution plan. There are still many more, but I have attempted to only share those that are truly effective. Try a couple of these strategies and see what works for you.

Your best approach is to spend more time attending networking events, handing out your business cards, and following up with your new acquaintances.

If you want your business cards to bring in more business, you must learn the art of networking. Log in to your allBcards account and download our free Complete Guide to Business Networking. There you will find everything you need to know to become a master networker.

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