For most, when you decide to start a business, it almost doesn’t seem real until you can read your name on your own business card or hand it on to someone to tell them what you do and how to contact you.
There is normally a great sense of pride and achievement when you take delivery of your very own business card.
For the ‘online only’ among you, virtual business cards are possible too, and there are some who will argue that a website can act as a business card also – but there is something so appealing about that familiar card shape to take with you and remember… even if it is an unusual shape or has various artistic cut-outs or finishes etc.
And that is the point! You give your business card to create a memory for whoever you give it to – allowing them to refer back to it and do something about it – contact you, or look you up online.
But are you missing a trick? an opportunity? Ask yourself, does your business card stand out from the crowd or is it just like every other card? Will the person you give your business card keep it somewhere safe because it catches their eye or will it be thrown into their desk drawer with the other ‘lost business card souls’ from meetings gone by? Banished to the ‘business card graveyard’!
Here are our 10 Tips for successful Business Card Marketing
1. Contact me
The absolute minimum to Business Card Marketing – your contact details displayed in a readable font. These days it is commonplace to leave out traditional information, like an address, but bear in mind that being able to display an address, landline as well as mobile, is a subtle indicator of credibility. Much like how not having a website is too!
2. Simply say what you do
Many businesses assume that once you hand over your card, the recipient will remember what it is that you do, and why you were (or were not) interesting to them when they met you. Far more reliable to say what you do, in simple, plain language, so they can always refer back to it and be clear. If they have collected your card as well as your competitors’, chances are they haven’t bothered to say what they do. When that ideal budget appears… you get the business because you said that you could solve their problem on your card.
3. Friend or follow me on social media
Collecting fans on Facebook? Are you particularly witty and relevant on Twitter? If it is a good channel for you to build relationships, then adding your strongest or preferred social media details could be helpful.
4. Land here
Imagine if you could get visibility of how many people checked you up online after receiving your business card? Imagine no longer – simply direct them to a purpose-built landing page. You could get really clever and do a different one for each event you attend. Google Analytics will tell you the rest.
5. Show me
Many people miss an opportunity to use the reverse of their business card, but this space can be used effectively as additional advertising space. It can be an instant window into what you do, and a reminder too! A photographer or artist may have a few different business cards printed with an eye-catching image or photographic portrait on the reverse for example.
6. It was good for them
Use the reverse of the card to quote a satisfied customer’s testimonial. If you have particularly strong (and obviously real) testimonials, why not print up a variety?
7. Put a face to the name
A lot of businesses are putting their personal photograph on the card. This is not for the faint-hearted and it is certainly not recommended unless it is a professional photographer. This addition to your business card certainly reinforces the ‘remember me’ factor. A word of warning though – consider your business as depending on what kind of business you have, it may not be good for your image!
8. An irresistible offer
If it suits your business, promote an exclusive offer (preferably time-limited) on the card. Using a unique code to quote when ordering will help.
9. Credentials
A recognised logo that identifies you as being a quality something is a good thing to put on your card, assuming you are entitled to do so. Like organisations that exist to regulate what you do. It should be discreet, but it will act as a seal of approval. The opposite will be true if you list all the associations you belong to and every possible logo. Let it act for you simply, and with strength.
10. Choose us
A clearly articulated point that makes you different, or a strong benefit of doing business with you can be a compelling reason to retain your card, and contact you.
If your business is in need of a new logo design, corporate branding and corporate stationery design, then contact BlueFlameDesign today and together we can ignite your Business Brand!