Even in the digital age, business cards serve a unique and often valuable purpose...
(PRWEB) September 27, 2013
Selected police officers and deputies in Lincoln County, North Carolina, will soon receive personalized business cards to give to witnesses, victims of crime and other individuals in the community. This action stems from a recent Crimestoppers’ initiative to supply “a more professional product” to members of the local police force.
Small business owners also need to have a professional business card as part of their marketing efforts. Whether at a trade show or networking event, a business owner’s card is often the first piece of collateral he or she shares with prospective customers. A business card can be included in a presentation folder or business correspondence. It can also serve as camera-ready art in local business publications.
“Even in the digital age, business cards serve a unique and often valuable purpose,” Jeremy Durant, Business Principal at Bop Design, a San Diego web design agency. “In business, first impressions are everything. So it’s crucially important that your business card clearly identifies you and your business, looks visually appealing and stands out from the competition.”
Here are suggestions for making all this happen on a 3.5 x 2 inch-sized piece of high gloss card stock.
Use type that’s clutter-free. Considering the limited available space, design experts advise not having more than two font types on a business card. Though it’s tempting to use flowery or elaborate fonts in an effort to differentiate yourself from everyone else, resist the impulse. Fussy type is often difficult to read and gives an impression of clutter. (There are still many readable, professional-looking fonts to choose from.) One more thing: font sizes must be large enough to be easily seen by people with varying degrees of eyesight.
Include all essential information. This includes:
- Your name and title (if appropriate)
- Your company name
- Website address
- Email address
- Telephone number
Another essential element—particularly if what a business offers isn’t immediately clear by its name—is a one-line slogan. “This can be a phrase or a complete sentence,” Durant says, “as long as it accurately describes your business and it’s memorable.”
Add your logo. A professionally designed logo is a key part of a business brand and should always be included on a business card. The logo needs to be scalable for use on all marketing materials, from business cards to letterhead and website.
Use colors that please the eye. Keep the range of colors to no more than three or four, using them as part of the text or logo or other background graphic elements. A photograph can be an excellent use of color. “If your business offers a service of some kind, a photo is a great way to make an instant connection with potential customers,” Durant notes.
Most importantly, a well-designed business card should match the “tone” of your product or service. A financial advisor, for example, might do better with a conservative design for her business card, while the owner of a “hot” new spa or restaurant might benefit from a more exuberant or gaudy design.
Durant reminds business owners: “Once your business cards are designed and printed, remember to keep them with you at all times, so you’re always ready to hand them out during impromptu introductions and other casual business encounters.”
Bop Design
Bop Design is a San Diego web design agency with offices also in the New York metro area. We express a business values through branding, advertising, design and web design. We also help attract a firm's ideal customer through search engine optimization and search engine marketing. The marketing firm's focus is on small businesses that want an external team of marketing specialists to help give their brand an edge in the marketplace.