Business cards that do the business -

Alan Fairweather A business card makes a statement about who you are and what
your business is about. It needs to convey the quality of
your business and an insight into your personality.
I have been handed business cards and the first thought to
go through my mind was - "Cheap" A tacky design - low
quality paper - doesn't feel good in the hand and looks
cheap to the eye. That then becomes my overall impression of
the business.

Here are some ideas:

*Use colour - black and white is too boring but don't use
"day-glo" colours - too cheap

*Put your photo on - it will help people remember you and
make that important human contact. The photo needs to face
into the text, not away and be of good quality - not a "mug
shot."

*Quality paper - my business cards are made from a really
durable card, that doesn't get "dog eared" easily and are
difficult to tear up

*Put your logo on - make the logo small, you've a lot more
important information to put on your card. You don't
necessarily need a logo but helps give you an identity. Get
a graphic designer to produce one for you; however there is
software you can buy for a DIY job. If you don't have a logo
you could utilise a drawing, caricature or a picture - as
long as you're consistent.

*Make it a standard shape - however you can use a fold-over
which gives more space for text and looks different. I used
to have a card like a small tent card. I've seen it several
times standing on a customer's desk. It looked too good to
throw away.

*Do something different - have a card that stops people in
their tracks and makes them want to find out more

*Have benefit statements and/or your USP (Unique Sales
Point) prominently on the card - tell customers what you can
do for them - how you can help solve their problems. Your
name and your business name should be much less prominent.

*Use both side of the card - if you have a photo, benefit
statements and all your business details then you'll need
both sides of the card. Business details can go on one side
and benefit statements on the other.

*Don't squeeze too much in - it can start to look messy

*Contact information - you business name, address, phone,
email and website. I would avoid putting your mobile phone
number on. You can always write it on for "special"
customers, letting them know that you only give this number
to certain people.

*Your name - put your name on as you'd like to be addressed
when a customer calls you. You don't need all the middle
initials. Also avoid all your qualifications, the majority
of people aren't impressed by all the exams you've passed;
they only want to know if you can solve their problems and
they could even be put off by a whole string of letters.

*Make the text easy to read - don't use all capital letters
and not too many typefaces. Fancy fonts can look really
cheap

*Change of details - if your details change, don't score
out the old and write the new stuff in - order new cards.
Putting little stickers on with your new information is
another no-no; it makes you and your business look cheap.

About the Author

Discover how you can generate more business without having
to cold call!
Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales
without Selling" This book is packed with practical things
that you can do to – get customers to come to you .
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http://www.howtogetmoresales.com