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Reinventing the Business Card At pennies a piece business cards can be your most cost effective marketing tools. The key to effective business card marketing involves innovative design and delivery.
DESIGN: If you’re like many people your business cards are uninteresting 3.5”x2” cards ‘designed’ by your local printer. And, if you’re like many people this little piece of mediocracy is the first thing that you give to every prospect. For a relatively small investment you can elevate your business cards from mediocre to magnificent. Professional designers, like those at DivaDesignWorld, can help you breathe new life into the look, feel and message of your business card. Things that your designer can help you assess include: Message - Does your business card clearly communicate who you are and what you can do for a prospect? Is the information clean and uncluttered? Image - Do your business cards present the correct image? Cheesy clip-art screams amateur. Primitive, cluttered layout implies a lack of sophistication/credibility. Thermography is just plain ugly! Creativity - Who says that a business card has to be a 3.5”x2” rectangle printed on white card stock? A thoughtful designer may suggest alternative mediums, dimensions, and printing methods that meet both your budget and desire for originality. Gratuitous alteration of shape or materials is just as bad as uninspired design. It’s best to leave such decision to a trained graphic designer. DELIVERY: Once you’ve transformed your business cards from mediocre to magnificent you should devise a delivery strategy. A few ideas for better business card delivery include: Helpful Handouts - The next opportunity you have to share useful information or a referral, jot it down on the back of your business card. The recipient will be thankful for the information, and reminded of your generosity each time they refer to your business card. Back Door Promotion - Imagine you are going to a networking event where many prospective buyers of your rare red widgets will be present. Before the event neatly write on the back of several business cards, “Portland’s Only Red Widget Distributor”. Distribute these mini promotions to all event attendees. 24 Hour Access - Many recipients of your business cards will want to learn more about your business. Make it easy for them by including an address to your web site. Notice I said ‘web site’ NOT ‘web page’. A single web page is worth very little. A multipage web site filled with important information about what you can do for the prospect is extremely valuable. It’s Never Enough - Prospects often misplace or discard your business card. Help them out by offering your business card at each meeting, and in every mailing (without being obnoxious of course!). At pennies a piece you can afford to be generous with these little marketing powerhouses.
About the Author: Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency, DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services. She is also the founder of divadirectories.com,a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of female business owners throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Northwest.
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