If you only have one piece of marketing literature for your business and it’s your business card how can you make it work harder so that it helps you attract potential clients and more profit?
In the Technology section of the Irish Times today there is an article by Karlin Lillington which explores why we don’t use digital tools versus the traditional business card.
Karlin contacted me to ask for my perspective which you can read about in the article and I also provided her with an article about the five of the biggest mistakes that people make with business cards. Why not assess how well your business cards stack up against these common mistakes that I see:
1. Incomplete Contact Details – Whether during or after a networking meeting, many people will do a quick review of your business card. If you only have your mobile number on the card and no landline or address, don’t expect to be taken seriously. People expect to see full details on your card so they know you are a real business and in it for the long haul.
2. Creating Your Cards for Free – With the advent of free online business card services and stationery that you can put into your own printer, many people mistakenly think that a free business card is the relevant solution for their business. It’s not! There are some terrific services available but don’t be seen as a ‘cheap skate’ with cards that have on the reverse ‘Printed Free by xyz company’. You won’t be taken seriously.
3. Branding Someone Else – One of the first things people check on a business card today is if you have an email address. Yet so many people have a Google, Yahoo, ATT or eircom email address reinforcing someone else’s brand not their own. Instead, invest in your own domain name which can be used to host your email address so it reads ‘yourname@yourcompanyname.com’, even if you are not ready to develop your own website.
4. Your Brand is Bland – Make sure that your corporate identity it is reflected through your business card. However, be careful with the colours that you choose resonate with your target audience. And make sure that your font is legible and consistent with your visual identity.
5. The Back Is Blank – If you are going to print your business card, take the additional step to invest in printing on the reverse of the card. This could be promoting how people can access a special report, white paper, your ezine, a special discount or even a trial of your product or service. Your business card then becomes an integral way to connect to your overall marketing and lead generation strategy.
What are the common mistakes you see people making with their business cards?
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