subject: How to Make your Business Cards Sell for you [print this page] How to Make your Business Cards Sell for you
Did you know that the business card is one key ingredient of a successful marketing plan? It is what your business contacts should primarily get hold of. Your other marketing materials may disappear or be forgotten, but your business card where your contact details are found is most likely to be kept. Therefore, your business card isn't just a worthless piece of paper with your name, address and contact numbers in it. It can be a potent tool to make your product sell. And because of its worth, it should be designed and made to fully serve its purpose.
So what is the importance of a business card? Before you think of the design of your business card, you should know and understand first its functions to make your marketing plan work. An impressive business card has at least four functions that you should bear in mind:
First, your business card should help you convey what your company is about. Think of it as an instrument that could help you open endless doors of opportunity. For instance, handing out your business card during a meeting or social event would make other people know that you and your company exist. Introducing yourself through handing a business card has proven to be a professional and presentable way of reaching out to possible business colleagues. Your aim is not to push your card to people who might not need it but to establish new connections. Hence, handing out your card should also be accompanied by a polite opening statement.
Second, your business card contains pertinent information about you and your company. Therefore, before you even think of giving out your card, consider the details you would want to be in it. Essentially, it should convey major information about your company. The basic details would include your name, the name of your company, business address and your contact information. You might also want not to include your cellphone number first. When you have already handed out your business card to a potential client, you can then tell him/her that you can write down your cellphone number in case he/she wants to reach you through that line. This will give your potential client the impression that you're giving him/her special attention.
Third, your business card contains the most important sales message that you want your recipients to know. This is even more important than your contact information. Thus, if you don't have a sales message yet, make your own. This should essentially contain a brief statement about the business nature of your company which is more like a five-word slogan. As brief and concise as it should be, you must never forget to make it catchy and memorable.
Lastly, make sure that your business card upholds the company's image. It should be consistent with your other marketing paraphernalia. Apart from including the company logo, see to it that your font style, color and lay-out are consistent with all your other materials. You can also add a photo of your product. Even with all these, it is still very important to give attention to your sales message as it will establish how your company will be perceived by your clients.
So there you have it, some things to keep in mind about the use of your business card. Now that you know what it should ideally be, start creating that business card that would sell for you.
