5 Tips For Creating a Fantastic Business Card

You may overlook the value of having a fantastic business card created that brilliantly enhances your image, yet this small piece of card will be a crucial part of your business branding package. When you meet someone for the first time, it’s usually the first thing your prospects receive from you, so it’s your first opportunity to make a strong, positive impression on them.

We would suggest you do not go down the track of the do-it-yourself online business card printing companies. Usually it’s fairly easy to spot these inexpensively produced cards. When you choose to “go cheap” on your business cards, what message does that send to those you want to do business with? Are you really doing yourself any favours by missing out on the opportunity to start building a positive brand image right from the start?

Cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to first impressions. So, give your prospects and clients a great first impression with these 5 tips for creating a fantastic business card:

Design Tips
Tip #1: Enlist the help of a professional designer unless you skilled with the graphics programmes enough to design your business card yourself.
The designer then gets to know you and your brand and can help you with all your printing and marketing materials, including your flyers, business cards, letterheads, website and signage.

Tip #2: Keep it simple.
Business cards are typically just 95mm x 54mm, so you don’t have too much space to work with. Don’t make your logo too big, don’t make the type too small to be comfortably read, and don’t be afraid to use white space.

Tip #3: Keep to the standard business card size – unless you’re the adventurous type.
There are things you can do to a 95mmx54mm business card to differentiate yourself (ie rounded corners, luxurious finishes etc), but going with an unusual shape can be tricky. A round card, for instance, is quite memorable, but it certainly won’t fit in standard business-card holders or wallets. You must be willing to trade convenience for memorability if you choose an unconventional shape or size.

Content Tips
Tip #4: Be deliberate in choosing the information to appear on your card.
What’s most important? Your name certainly needs to be there, along with the name of your business (your logo), your phone number and your e-mail address. Space permitting, you can add your physical address, fax number, cell-phone number and company website address. Don’t clutter things up too much – as with the design, simpler and cleaner is always better.

Tip #5: Think about keeping the back blank, or ensure the recipient can write on it.
How often will people see the back of your business card? If you do wish to put copy on it, be sure the information is of a supplemental nature: e.g., your company’s mission or tagline. Also remember, many people use the back of the business card to make a note about you so they remember where they met you. Don’t use a luxurious gloss glaze if you want them to be able to write on it.

The Bottom Line
Think about how you use other people’s business cards when you make decisions about your own. Do you get frustrated when you can’t quickly find the information you need? Or the type is too small to read? Or printed in a font that’s hard to decipher? Do cheaply produced cards make you think less of the person or company represented? Does it take you a while to realise whose card it is, or what company that person works for?

Don’t make those same mistakes when designing your own business card. Make sure it’s a positive reflection of both you and your company, and it mirrors your brand identity.