Some might argue that business cards are obsolete in a world where everyone can look up what they need on a computer or hand-held device, so who needs business cards anymore?
Business cards are still a quick, inexpensive and easy way to sell your business to a potential client.
The problem is that most business owners don’t know what makes for an effective business card and often make the following 10 mistakes -
1. Separating your contact information or making the font too big
With today’s scanning technologies, don’t make someone have to scan both sides of your card for your contact information. The font size should enhance and balance all the information on the card – make sure to find a balance between content amount and font size.
2. Home-made business cards.
Just because you have computer software and a printer that allows you to make your own business cards, it doesn’t mean you should. Home-made business cards scream unprofessional.
3. Mystery meat business cards
When someone looks at your business card, can they tell immediately what your business does? And does your logo have some connection to what your business does? Don’t stick a logo of a crown on a card where your tag line says, “We’re hotter than the sun” and your business sells chili sauce.
4. Not providing a Call to Action or a USP
Not having a “call me when . . . or call us for” . . . statement on your card is missing a valuable selling opportunity. Have a missing Unique Selling Proposition like “we’ll fix it in 3 days or less”.
5. Using poor quality paper
Poor quality paper doesn’t last and are too easily damaged when being handled or stored. Poor quality paper gives a cheap impression.
6. Too many colors
Research has shown us that color is the most important factor in memory recall. Use only two specific colors and these colors should also be in your logo and your website.
7. Misspelled words
Sometimes there are printing mistakes or your own errors. Never line through and overwrite on the card to correct the information.
8. Not keeping plenty of cards with you or where you can get them at all times.
What good is spending time networking is you run out of business cards? What do you lose when this happens? Business.
9. Does not stand out or elicit positive feelings.
Ensure your business card is done in a manner that it attracts and maintain your clients’ interest and doesn’t turn them off with a negative image or representation of your brand.
10. Too much information or too busy.
White space helps to make the important information stand out. Too much information crammed into a small card is difficult to read. Keep it simple so your contact information stands out.
Your business card is one of the most important and cost-effective marketing tools for your business and creates a powerful first impression.
If you are not getting the results from your business cards, or you are not sure your cards are sending the right message to your prospects, we can help. Call us at 707-578-1390 today and we can help you with your business card design and help you determine how effective your logo is to your overall business message.
Our continued success to you,
About Forward Motion Studios -
Forward Motion Studios™ is a Santa Rosa Web Design company that builds, hosts and supports custom websites for businesses. This includes simple, brochure-like web pages to highly complex, software and database-driven eCommerce websites with B2B shopping carts. You can catch their Tweets at twitter/forwardmotion and connect with them on Facebook at facebook.com/forwardmotionstudios.
