Printed Business Cards » Marketing

Business Cards for the Job Seeker

Trish — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:57:35 +0000

If you don’t have a job, ordering a business card may seem illogical but in this tight economy, the unemployed person with a business card has an edge over the many others competing for the same position. A personal business card conveys contact information whether you have a job or are looking for the next one.

Think calling card rather than traditional business card when designing for the job seeker. You need to provide contact details in a professional and memorable manner. The cards could be included with resumes, handed out at job fairs or used to close any business conversation. Always include a hyperlink to your online resume on your personal business card.

The unemployed job seeker’s business card is a great gimmick for standing out at job interviews. Use clean designs with simple background and stick to two or three contrasting colors. A portrait photograph will help finish your card and make you more memorable.

These days, business cards no have to be an expensive investment. 250 well cut, easy to read, nicely inked calling cards could mean the difference between getting the job and getting back in the unemployment line. Spend a little of your current free time by investing in your business image. If you want the job, the extra effort will be worth your while.

Keeping Your Business Card Clean: The Business Card Holder Option

Trish — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:47:33 +0000

No matter how much time and money you may spend on your company’s business card, your professional handshake, if you hand it over in a disheveled condition all your hard work has been for nothing. Keeping your business cards in a presentable professional condition is a must if you hope for them to be effective. Business card holders have become a necessity in the modern business world and there are plenty of options to choose from.

For many the metal business card holder is an economical and classy way to protect your business cards. A thin sleek design and the coolness of the metal are a great combination for protecting business cards. Metal holders help prevent air and humidity from hitting your business cards. This could prevent softening of the card stock (which makes your cards seem old) and help avoid curling edges. Metal business card holders are very affordable.

Leather business card holders are more expensive than metal options but they do provide a great deal of personality and make for great gifts. A small monogrammed metal plate adds a touch of creativity. Leather holders are also comfortable in your pocket and hold the same amount of cards as a metal holder. They are not leather wallets and are not much thicker than any other business card holder.

Whether its a trade show or the reception desk, the open free standing business card holder is a great finishing touch. Most come in a simple clear plastic design but the utilitarian quality usually suits the environment. You wouldn’t carry a plastic card holder on your person. They are meant for ease of display and the ‘help yourself’ approach. Plastic business card holders are very affordable and a good idea even if you pick up a couple of metal holders for your pocket.

Business card holders are available wherever you buy or print business card so its worth a few minutes of your time to browse the selection. Often holders are offered free as part of a business card printing deal so you can keep your business cards in great condition for nothing more than the price of shipping.

Making the Leap from Traditional to Modern Business Cards

Trish — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:44:21 +0000

As traditional professions try to compete with the ever expanding digital jungle and green business outlook, the look and design of a business card tells potential clients and colleagues a lot about your corporate view of the changing business landscape. Is it right for your company to make the leap from classic business card branding to the ultra modern options now on the market?

Not only the type of business you own but the type of businesses and clients you come into contact with are important considerations when designing a business card. If you have a very traditional business with well established clients and partnerships with other traditional professions change in business card design should be gradual. No-one wants to be drug kicking and screaming into a modern perspective but no-one wants to be left behind either. Consider implementing a few changes with each new business card order.

If on the other hand if you are a start up company, operating mainly online and appealing to a younger audience, keeping up with modern business card techniques is practically a requirement. Newer companies are expected to come out cutting edge and the branding of the company still revolves around the business card no matter how cyber savvy the company may be.

Keeping on top of business trends is essential for every aspect of your business and your business card is a reflection of your knowledge. A well branded business card shares the story of the company and reflects their outlook of the economic and creative business climate.

Business Cards and the Branding Package

Trish — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:11:49 +0000

Business Cards may be your corporate handshake but alone its not enough to make a firm lasting impression. Ordering business cards is easy but what about ordering additional printed items for your company? Is that a hassle? In most cases designing your business cards as part of a branding package is the best way to go. So what does a branding package include?

Letterhead. High quality paper watermarked and printed with the company details may seem a little old school but it remains an essential of the business client relationship. A letterhead sent through the traditional mail service still carries more weight than something sent by e-mail. A medium sized company should consider 500 sheets of letterhead as mandatory.

Address Labels or printed envelopes. Envelopes with custom printing will always look more professional than stick on address labels but both get the job done. Printed return address on envelopes is a must for the larger business. Smaller businesses should consider an address stamp rather than address labels.

Custom binders or folders. Promotional literature should always be presented to clients in a custom printed folder. A plain folder always makes the company look cheap and your branding look scattered. Smaller businesses should consider custom oversized labels to personalize the plain folders their budget affords.

Promotional literature. For some companies this is brochures for others its fliers and posters. Whatever additional printed material your company uses in the running and promotion of the business it should all match the business card design.

Branding is all about repetition and cohesiveness. If all of your printed materials are cohesive your company logo, colors or slogan will be easier for clients and potential customers to remember.

New Year, New Business Cards, New Printing Deals

Trish — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:29:14 +0000

Black Friday may be over but the January sales are just beginning. Companies across the nation are handing out drastic price cuts and awesome clearance prices as they try to clear their shelves for new stock. Printing companies are no exception to this rule and use January as a time to clear out the template vaults, shift discontinued cards or inks and basically provide a good deal for the savvy shopper. A quick price comparison could lead to a great deal on this year’s business printing.

Decide what you want in your business card and break that down into sections. For instance you may not have made any decision on color or design but you know you want engraved printing on fold over card with a gloss finish. Add a general quantity and perhaps even guesstimate your budget then you are ready to compare.

Comparison shopping is always made easier when you can see the information for each printing site at the same time. As they are in competition with each other this isn’t possible. Cut and paste the information into a word processing document on your computer so you can see the differences without the distraction of banner ads and off topic deals.

While browsing for your business card criteria look out for extras such as free shipping. Always check how much free shipping affects the per piece price and always make a note of bulk buying discounts. Don’t forget to check for bundle bargains such as buying your invites and getting your matching thank you cards fifty percent off.

After you have finalized your business card design and have your order in the virtual shopping cart open a new window on your browser. Type in the name of the printer followed by the phrase “coupon code” and see what results you get. Often coupon codes will provide a few more dollars off your order.

If you haven’t done it already it is time to design and order your business cards for the coming year. Consider starting your research immediately to take advantage of the January deals.

Welcome to the World of Work: Intern’s Business Card

Trish — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As thousands of college graduates flood the job market even the position of unpaid intern is hard to secure. A successful internship in a professional setting can lead to great future employment opportunities. Looking like the right intern for the job is about having a professional business card. An intern’s business card should reflect both work history and have a bit of personality.

The contact information on the intern’s business card should be personal not professional. It would be unwise to include the phone number and address of your internship. Instead include your personal e-mail, social networking links and cell phone number.

As there may be little to no work experience, the intern should include a link to their online educational or volunteer resume so potential employers can read up on you. Be sure to highlight the URL in blue on your business card to make it stand out.

Keep the intern’s business card simple, clean and easy to read. You are selling you not the business card. Avoid gloss finishes unless you’re working in a highly creative field. Think about traditional colors and designs used on business cards in your chosen field and reflect that in your own card. Try to stick to no more than two contrasting colors in your business card template.

A portrait photograph is an appropriate finishing touch to the intern’s business card. Visit a professional photographer and be sure to get the copyright to your photographs so you can use them on your online printer’s website.

Never send out a job application without a business card. Hand a business card to every professional you have contact with and don’t forget to distribute your details at network events.

Its a tight job market out there and standing out for all the right reasons can help intern become employee. A professional business card can help make this happen.

Catering Across the Board: Casino Business Card Strategy

Trish — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:12:09 +0000

You may think that a casino does not need a business card. In fact, they probably need it more than some other organizations. A casino may be attached to a resort but have different contact information. Business cards have several uses in the gambling industry.

Larger casinos have a number of rooms or play areas that offer a different experience. Each area is associate with certain staff members and has a manager or supervisor. If you have an issue or want some information in the Rainbow room, you don’t need the contact information for the manager in the Cabana room. Having business cards at the front desk or information area in every casino room will decrease mix ups and improve customer service by allowing folks to get a hold of the right people.

Business cards make great coupons or tokens for casinos. They can be printed with different colors and codes every year to provide an expiration. Fold over business cards with a perforated center fold means a casino can provide coupons but give customers the opportunity to retain contact information. Because casinos offer a number of different gambling activities, they would need to have a separate set of business card style coupons for each game.

Casino business cards should reflect the established branding of the casino or resort. Always check with the marketing department to ensure your business card design doesn’t overlap with a neighboring casino. Visual clues should be very personal to the casino.

Most importantly, like any large business a casino must always have good customer service in mind. When a guest enters through the main front doors there should be information to welcome, explain and provide support to gamblers. A stack of business cards on the front desk is a great way to introduce players to the hospitality of your casino.

The Brewer’s Business Card

Jim — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:58:27 +0000

Purveyor of the Porter. Handler of the Hefeweizen. You are the person that people come to when they want a fresh and unique taste in life that will make them feel terrific. You’re the beer brewer. And whether you have been in business for thirty minutes or thirty years, a well thought out custom business card is a must when trying to get your name out there.

Let’s be honest, in this instance, a business card isn’t going to keep your customers coming back to you…the quality of your beer will do that. However, a custom business card is the first step for customer acquisition. The way to do that is by keeping your contact information (and layout) the same for everyone that works in the company, and for all of you to decide what type of image should go on the card.

The image should be tasteful, no pun intended. Sometimes all it takes is a great logo. If you have a good, recognizable logo, your personalized business card will look great. However, if you are just starting your business and do not have a well-known brand logo, think about putting an image in the background along with a logo. This is where you can be creative. One idea could be having a very close-up photo of a “sweating” pint of beer with carbonation flowing up. Another idea could be an over-the-head shot of a pint of beer, where it looks like a circle of glass and the foam of the beer. The possibilities are almost limitless.

As for acquiring the customers, never forget what the back of a custom business card can do. On this back, you could have another smaller image with some text saying, Present this card at our brewery and receive one free six-pack of beer of your choice, with a small code next to it. You might lose a few dollars on the six-pack, but as long as you are confident in your beer, you should be able to turn the customer into a regular buyer. Once they hand you the business card, mark down the code so they can’t use it again, and then hand it back to them.

So keep brewing that delicious beverage, and keep brewing that great business card.

Travel Agent’s Business Card

Trish — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:06:17 +0000

People mistakenly think that the job of a travel agent has become obsolete what with all the new technology that helps you plan a vacation. That’s not the case at all. Travel agents create a valuable link between you and the travel companies. Travel agents ensure you don’t forget the little details like travel insurance and extra baggage tax. The travel agent’s business card should be confident, cheerful and informative.

Branding is the foundation stone of any business card and the travel agent’s business card is no exception. Use established color palettes and logos when creating your business card. You can use a template from the business card printing website and just plug in your established sections. Always check with the marketing department of your company to be sure there are no planned changes to the company’s branding.

A travel agent’s job is to inform and their business card should provide plenty of information. Too much information in a small space looks messy and dismissible. Go with a fold over style card so you have room to add numerous hyperlinks, phone numbers and images.

Consider a calender or travel notes section on the real estate agent’s business card. By making a portion of your business card into a top ten list or vacation calender you give customers more opportunities to utilize your card. A useful item is not easily discarded.

The travel agent’s business card should include a number of images. Symbols of vacations perhaps in the form of four seasonal photographs would be eye catching. Visualizing a beach, a ski resort or city is a good way to keep clients focused on the task at hand. You know, booking a vacation.

Unique Visibility Through Business Cards

Jim — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:50:28 +0000

The toughest part about succeeding with your new business is getting noticed and acquiring those first few customers, am I right? It’s those first few months that can make or break your business. Custom business cards can help you with both of those issues. So far on this blog site, we have developed the usual and most trodden paths to gaining visibility through business cards. However, below are three unique ways to gain more visibility using your business card.

1. Leave your cards at certain strategic locations. Some of the more well-known places are the bank, grocery marts and drug stores. However, think outside the box with this one. For example, if you are a custom blown glass maker, talk to a florist and see if he or she will let you leave some cards at their store. If you provide software solutions, head over to a technology-oriented store to see if you can leave some cards with them. Active marketing with your business cards is the best way to get known.

2. Once you have your custom business card created, take the design you created and brand it. What I mean by branding is, take your image, images, or slogan, and put it on everything you have. If you have a website, make sure every page has that logo visible at all times. If you drive a car, opt for a small or large car door magnet with that same logo. For added notoriety, you can make your own personalized shirts to hand out as a thank you to customers. Make sure that you have the same logo on the shirt that you do on the business card.

3. Business cards don’t have to be used solely for customers or custom acquisition. If you meet someone new, regardless of in what capacity, hand him or her one of your business cards. You can say something to the extent of, I’m not always at my cell phone, but I check my email frequently, so you can reach me there. If you keep a constant push towards visibility, you will eventually gain it.

Take these tips, and try to incorporate at least two of them in your current marketing plan. Although active marketing can take a bit of work, even if you gain one more customer, it will be worth it. So flaunt your personalized business card and get your name out there.