Business Cards – Best Marketing Investment
If you are in business you need a business card. The cost of a business card is not just the cost printing, but most likely will involve some design expenses, too. What you need to understand that is a well-designed, quality business card can also become your best marketing investment.
While having a business card print may be a simple, straight forward process – you need to complete a number of steps before you are ready for the printing including:
- Business Name: You will need a business name which in itself is a very important decision because the wrong name can be limiting or misleading. You will most likely need to register the name with the Minnesota Secretary of State. This in turn will require a check on the name’s availability, an application and fee, followed by a publication of the name.
- Phone Number(s): You will need to have a business phone number and you may or may not want to list your cell phone number, too.
- Website: Today a website is most often a requirement like an ad in the Yellow Pages was in the past. No matter how modest or extensive your website, this requires obtaining a domain name, design, content, etc.
- Email Address: While you can obtain a Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. email address, if you have a website it looks more professional to have it be your email address (trwconsulting86@gmail.com vs. tom@trwconsulting86.com).
- Tag Line: Just as important as your business name is your tag line. Your tag line helps define you and differentiate you from your competition (e.g. Expect More, Pay Less – Target). For more on this topic see my August 16th, 2011 Blog
- Logo Design: Another important element of identifying your business is your logo. Think of Target’s target or McDonald’s golden arches.
- Professional Photo: If you are the person providing the service, then it may be a good idea to have a professional photo of yourself on your business card.
Don’t get carried away by making your business card too busy or too colorful. A properly designed business card informs people about your company, what you do, and how to reach you (phone number, web and email address, etc.). Often less is more and simple is better because it communicates a clearer message.
Your business card can be made into a marketing tool.
We have all heard that word of mouth advertising is the best form of advertising. Your business card can be made into an active element promoting your business. By providing your satisfied customers/clients with a couple of business cards with an offer on the back (e.g. 10% off to new customer on their first purchase) you can create value with your card. A business card is a business card, but one with a 10% savings is worth real money.
Final thoughts, take the time to thoughtfully put together all of the elements of a good business card. Next, have quality business cards printed to reflect positively on your business. Then use the cards in an active word of mouth promotion program to grow your business.