Marketing Mojo: The Business Of Business Cards
5/18/2015
| admin_us605
Everybody is familiar with the phrase, "Don't judge a book by it's cover". While the sentiment is completely true when applied to our fellow man, the truth is that trips to Barnes and Noble would be a lot less fun if all of the books had the same plain boring bindings. And while a title or author might still grab your attention, there's no doubt that cover art and book jackets make a big difference in whether or not you pick up a title to learn more.
First impressions in business are crucial to developing work and customer relationships, and there is no easier way to make a bad first impression than a business card.
Business cards are important, but they are often treated like an afterthought for a business, just something to hand out and throw away. I remember when I got my very first business cards in my first "grown-up" job, I was so proud I gave one to literally everyone I knew. If we still got that excited about our cards years later, would we be satisfied with boring, basic, or poor quality pieces? Probably not.
Having a good business card doesn't mean you need to go all out either - a lot of design magazines and branding awards seem to think in order to have "great" business cards, you need letterpress, specialty papers, custom diecuts or luxury finishing in order to "stand out". But most small businesses don't have that kind of budget - and they really don't need it. If you want good business cards that will fit your brand without being boring OR breaking your budget, just follow these simple steps:
1. Begin with your brand. Your business has a unique voice, and your business cards should reflect that. Try to think of words to describe your brand, and apply those words to your branding in terms of paper, font, or style choices. A sprawling, loopy cursive might work for a feminine boutique, but not for a professional plumber.
2. Avoid pre-design templates. Your business isn't generic - so why should your cards be? It's easy to plug in your information to a template online or in Microsoft Office, but a custom designed business card will always feel more organic to your brand.
3. Quality Materials, Quality Printing. You don't necessarily need a gold foil stamp on specialty linen for a luxury business card. That same feeling can be achieved just as effectively with high-quality digital color printing on the right stock. With a variety of finishing options available, even cost-effective business cards can have a high level of impact.
4. A Print Partner. We're not trying to brag, but we get a lot of people who come to us to fix the problems that come with cheap, online business cards. Alright, maybe we're bragging a little - but there is something real to be said for a printing partner who will help create custom, unique business cards with you in mind. We're with you every step of the way to make sure that your first impression is the best it can possibly be.