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Why is My Business Card Ineffective?

February 26th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Online Business

Lynne Saarte asked:

Have you been giving out your custom business cards but you do not seem to get a phone call? Did you spend a significant amount of money for business card printing only to find that no one really cares to look at them? Are you having difficulty giving out your custom business cards altogether? There are several ways why a business card can fail. This usually relates to you, the business card holder yourself, or the look and feel of your business card. Here we have collected several common reasons why people ignore your business cards, or throw them out altogether. Try to see where you got it wrong.

Poor Business card etiquette: The most common reason why business cards get thrown out is because of poor business card etiquette. Some people might not know it but there is more to giving business cards than just whipping it out and giving it to people like a flier. Give your business cards in good taste, and for a reason. When you encounter a possible business contact, be friendly and ask about them. Do not just give them your business card. Explore each others interests first, especially in business. If something comes up that is related to your field then it is a good time to introduce yourself as someone who wants to do business and give them your business card. This way you establish a real relationship with the color business card as the bridge.

Internationally, there are also some important business card etiquette reminders you should follow. In general, when you are giving your business cards, also ask if the receiver has his or her own business card at hand. This way it tells them that you care for making a contact and not marketing yourself. Also in some countries a specific gesture must be made to give business cards. In Japan for example, your business card is your honor. It is presented with both hands carefully, with a small bow to denote respect. Whipping out your full color business card and just casually handing it over is a sign of ill manners. Make sure that when you visit another country you know business card customs like this to prevent from appearing a rude or ignorant foreigner. Business card etiquette is just as important as the card itself so don’t forget about them.

Incomplete, Outdated or Dubious details Some people, on the rush to print business cards do not check the details and the fine print. A common reason why business cards fail is that the details contained in the business card is wrong. For example, if your company suddenly moves to a new location, or you suddenly changed phone or fax numbers your business card details are automatically invalid. When people attempt to contact you again, they will fail to reach you. People might think that your business card might be a bit dubious and throw it away. Even if it is only a little change, always update your business card design with new details and print business cards again for distribution. This ensures its integrity. Make sure that the pertinent contact details like the telephone number, mobile phone number, address, web page URL and email address are included with your name and title as you print your designs again. Stop being cute.

Uninspired Design If you used a simple business card template for your card design then that might be the reason why your business card is failing. Uninspired designs are a mark of laziness when it comes to business card printing. Your design must be eye-catching, easily noticeable and if possible have a picture of you, or an image if your business. This helps people remember you card based on its design. Plain business cards are hardly interesting and would probably end up in the trash.

Substandard material Lastly, try to print your business cards made with durable materials. Picking out the cheapest paper to print your business card is totally the wrong decision to make. People place business cards in different places like their wallets, drawers, handbags etc. Besides the usual wear and tear, accidents may happen and business cards can degrade or fade over time. If your business cards become shabby after only a short amount of time, some people might not consider contacting their owners. Always invest in the best material you can afford so that your business cards last well in the years.

Those are the reasons why your business card can fail. Sound familiar? If they do, then you have something t o improve upon before the next opportunity for giving your business cards. Keep a steady head and make those cards fly!

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Custom Business Cards, Business Card Printing

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Your New Year Resolution: Printing New Business Cards

February 26th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Online Business

Lynne Saarte asked:

It is the New Year and it is time to throw out the old and welcome in the new. If you have your old business cards still in your wallet, maybe it is about time to throw them out and make new color business cards. In this dynamic business atmosphere it pays to always have a fresh face. New color business cards will tell people that you are always up to date and in with the times. So, it is always a good practice to print business cards with new designs periodically.

Now, do you know how to redesign your business card? It is very simple. Follow some of the tips we have listed here and you will be ready for a color business card makeover. Hopefully this will help you show a fresh face to current and potential business contacts.

Change your colors The best and easiest thing to change in your business card is its color. If you are still using a plain white business card, then you are indeed behind the times. The most effective and eye-catching business cards today use different colors. If you look at your collection of business cards you will always spot the ones that are not white right? So this new year, treat yourself to something new and change the color of your business card. A simple color change may be from white to black. Black business cards with gray, silver or white lettering has elegance all to its own. Black is always popular and you can never go wrong with it. Other formal colors include light blue and light green. If you want be a bit adventurous you can also try Red or Yellow business cards. However, use these colors carefully as some industries might not take you seriously with such bright and flashy colors.

Switch to new and popular designs Next, you can also try to redesign the overall layout of your business card. You can do this by looking through the new and popular business card template designs that are available this year. Just look for business card templates in your search engine and browse through the myriad of designs online business card printing companies have to offer. Of course you can also create a color business card design of your own. You can try changing your business card’s original font, its text size and the overall placement of its elements. Again you can refer to several examples that can be found online for inspiration.

Find a new motto Now, if you have a motto or maxim in your print business card, you can also change this for the New Year. If you are not particularly attached to your tagline then this is a good opportunity. Taglines are a good way of remembering a business card. If last year your business cards were not that effective, then maybe a new tagline might help. Maybe your tagline was boring, so now you can change to a catchier one. If you can, try and integrate a few rhymes into your business card tagline to make it more memorable. Also, word techniques like repeating first letters also work here. For example your tagline can say “the best bargain baggers in the business”.

Redistribute Lastly, once you make your new color business cards. Do not forget to redistribute them. Since you may have updated your contact numbers since last time your printed your business cards this is a great opportunity to re-establish a few past contacts. They may find your new and fresh business cards appealing and you might get some new business opportunities.

Great! We hope you can use these tips for you new business cards this year. Remember that your business cards should always be dynamic. The world will change always, so always change with the world.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Color Business Cards, Print Business Cards

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Different Types of Business Cards for Different Types of Business

February 24th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Online Business

Janice Jenkins asked:

Some people may not realize it but there are different kinds of business cards that are used for different kinds of purposes. Each type of business card can be can be suited for a particular kind of person or profession. Also, each can have a certain standard look or design that maximizes its potential. Knowing each type of business card can help you in your business card printing strategy. This determines the design of your custom business cards and ensures their full effect when you give them.

Below are several common types of business cards that business card printing companies produce for people. Try and determine which type matches you and your goals.

The trade business card

People from a particular trade or industry have their own on kind of business card. For example if you are a plastic manufacturer, your trade business card will usually be given to your suppliers, competitors, resellers and investors. These kinds of business cards embody the particular trade of their owner. Their design should be related or have symbolisms to the trade. If you are into plastics you may have a plastic business card. If you are a baker why not print full color business cards shaped like bread? Basically, trade business cards should give the image of a particular trade so that you can easily be remembered as a part of that industry.

Corporate business cards

Business cards in the corporate world are of cure a whole other type altogether. They differ from trade business cards since the focus of a corporate business card is the company and not the whole trade itself. Because of this, the logo of the company has a prominent place in the design of these business cards. Usually they have a serious and simple design perfect for the more formal minded corporate culture. Companies may even issue a uniform design for their employees to use especially if they will be representatives. Corporate business cards are usually given to important business contacts and potential employees.

Personal business cards

A lot of people have personal custom business cards. This is the most common type. Their design does not focus on a particular trade or company. The focus here is the profession and personality of the business card owner itself. Because of this personal business cards usually have the most beautiful, interesting and varying designs. When you do print your custom business cards you can give them to almost anyone including your family and friends.

Marketing business cards

A marketing business card is a type unto itself because it can change certain conventions of a typical business card. Besides selling “the person” that owns the business card, a marketing business card can advertise a certain product, service or event. For example, your marketing business card for your product will have your name, as well as the phrase “supplier of the best computer in the state, the PC4000.” Different marketing cards should have different gimmicks and designs like this.

Those are the most common business card types. Have you seen the right type of business card for you? Choose the right type for yourself and you will be making contacts, new relationships and business opportunities in no time.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Custom Business Cards, Business Card Printing

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Color Business Cards and Their Meaning

February 24th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Online Business

Lynne Saarte asked:

One of the major aspects in business card printing is the color of the cards. Color business cards provide a way to customize your business card with your own personal look. For certain, business card printing companies are ready to print custom business cards with every color of the rainbow. A client is always right, so if you want to print business cards with your favorite color like electric pink, then why not?

Of course keep in mind that colors have their meanings. So your color business cards will not only give your pertinent details to someone, they will also display your personality and image. It is important to know how colors are perceived by people and how this will affect their perception of you. To help you choose a color for your business card, below is a list of the common colors of business cards and their perceived meanings. Choose well and choose wisely.

Standard White First of course, we have the standard white. Almost everybody uses white business cards. If you are just starting out in business card printing then white is probably the safest choice. A white business card is of course universally accepted, and all kinds of designs and images work with white. It is basically a blank canvass to work on really. Of course, be aware that since white is the standard color; it tends to be the most boring and mundane. Almost everybody has a white business card, how will you stand out?

Elegant Black Black is well, interesting. As the saying goes, you can pair any color with black. Since it contrasts almost any kind of color, a black business card definitely stands out in the sea of white and colored business cards. Black is a nice solid color to use and a lot of business card printing companies are equipped to print them. Add that with contrasting silver or gold lettering and you have a nice and elegant color business card.

The Red Card The red business card is of course something eye catching. If a woman in a red dress speaks of a subtle beauty and passion, then that is how a red business card operates. Of course not everyone can pull off a red business card. It depends on your personality and of course your industry. But there is no question of the impact of a red business card. It turns eyes and roller decks.

Subdued colors On the general side of color business cards, subdued and light colors are the best way to use color business cards without straying too much from a safe white business card. The subtle hint of color adds some personality to a business card and it doesn’t risk an intense reaction like a red or black business card. Of course, subdued and light colors still have a few qualities that are like standard white business cards. Unfortunately they can also run into the same pitfalls.

Bright Colors Brighter and fuller colors of course offer the complete impact of your chosen favorite color. Using these kinds of colors makes your business card more personal and it gives its own unique impact. A pink or neon green business card for example may gain looks. However this may also run the risk of looking too unprofessional. The safest way to use full bright colors is to only use one color at the most. If you use more color combinations, it might look cute, but it will also look more informal. This if course depends on your industry. If you are into a more casual line of work it may be fine, but for corporate types this might be frowned upon.

So have you chosen a color? Achieve a balance between your personality and your business environment and you should have the correct business card color to choose from. Be as eye catching and as decent looking as possible with color business cards.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Color Business Cards, Business Card Printing

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