Guest post and Contest Announcement from Postnet.com
Surprising as it seems, a piece of heavy stock paper just 3.5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide remains a powerful marketing tool in today’s electronic-driven world.
Amid all the handheld devices and iPads at meetings, conferences and other events, you still see business cards exchanged with regularity. Business cards are one of those eternal staples for any profession. Your card is the first and lasting impression. Design, stock, color and message all make a difference.
Here are some simple tips for creating an impactful business card:
Match it Up:
The colors, styles and logos on a business card should match your other marketing materials. Mismatched business cards, letterhead and brochures look unprofessional.
Invest in Good Stock:
The way a business card feels has a big impact. It’s hard to be taken seriously when you hand over a paper thin card that wrinkles in their wallet. Test some samples to find a good-quality paper stock that fits within your budget.
Choose Your Words Carefully:
Add value to your business cards with phrases that provide useful information. For example, “Credit cards accepted,” “walk-ins welcome” or “located next to …”
Make Your Card “Download Friendly”:
A new trend is to include QR (quick response) codes on your business card so that people can use their camera phones to instantly download your contact information or a map of your business straight to their phones.
Kill the Clutter:
People should be able to easily see your name, website and contact information at a quick glance. Don’t overdo text or artwork.
Use Both Sides:
If you want to include more details without clutter, use the back side of the card for additional vital information.
Cater to the Audience:
While it might be a bit more expensive, tailoring the business card for each audience you serve can pay off in the long run. For example, if some of your clients are international, print off versions in different languages.
Small business owners looking to upgrade their business cards are encouraged to enter PostNet’s We Print online contest. Throughout September, visit www.postnet.com and take a brief survey for a chance to win 250 free business cards. PostNet will award 10 winners with free business cards and one with an iPad. All contest participates will receive a coupon for discounts at PostNet.
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
Follow Me:
What about also including your picture so that people will remember your face? After collecting a bunch of cards at a large networking event, it would be nice remember what the person that gave you the card looks like so that when you run into them again you can say hello.