Eric Ollenburg

Business Card Design - Hot tips to get you into the pocket.

One of the most important marketing tools you'll ever use is a business card, which is why business card design is so important. A business card is given to prospects and customer, they are tucked inside of presentation folders, dropped it in letters, and used in many other ways to let people know who you are and what you do. Another thing to think about is having business card design that can be used to run ads in local newspapers and for publication's "business card ad" pages.

Business card design tips:

Use of a logo

For business card design and logo design it's always a good idea to have a professional designer create your business logo. A simple a logo can be more memorable - consider a symbol that represents the products or services you provide. It should also be scalable for use on business cards, letterhead, brochures, and your website.

Develop a one-line slogan or sub title

If from your business name what you do isn't immediately apparent, create a one-line slogan or sub title that will help people remember what you sell. Include this slogan in your business card design.

Include web site address and/or email address

Now a days people have come to expect some sort of web site to go to learn more about your product or services. If you do have a web site be sure to include it in the business card design as well as an email address. The more sources of contact you provide the better. If you are concerned with spam, set an email that you feel more comfortable handing out to the public.

Make sure business card is legible

Be sure you or your designer uses a font that is big enough to be read with a magnifying glass. If someone has to work to contact you they will loose interest very quickly.

Business card design that stands out

Any business card may potentially end up in the back of a desk drawer or stacked with other business cards. Have your business card design stand out - use bright colors, maybe include your photo on the card.

Use good card-stock

A business card that feels flimsy or looks like someone printed it themselves on a cheap printer, it gives an impression that this is a small business that might disappear as soon as the owner finds a real job. Use a textured card stock or invest in a die to cut round corners. It pays to invest a little more in your business card stock, feel the different card stocks with your eyes closed, go for a pleasant paper over the cheapest card-stock for the buck, find a paper that complements the business card design.

Hand out your business card in confidence

Have a bounce in your step, a sparkle in your eye and fire in your hand shake as you pass your card. No matter what your current business card design is, sell yourself in confidence when you pass it on.