The Job Search: Are Business Cards Necessary?
What is the real purpose of a business card? Everyone knows that they ought to have one but do they really help to generate business or aid in a job search? According to the “experts”, a business card is an integral part of any corporate or personal marketing plan (that’s right it is okay to market yourself). Of course, you can't expect a business card to tell the whole story about you or your company. That said, the real purpose of a business card is to present a professional image or impression so that people will remember who you are after they meet you.
It goes without saying that a business card can make or break a client's first impression of you or your company. In fact, it is likely that this little card makes as much of an impression as your personal appearance, the clothes you wear or the blackberry model that you carry! With this in mind, I offer the following suggestions regarding creation of business cards for personal or corporate use.
Information On the Card
You MUST include your name, title, company name, address, phone number (or numbers, if you want to include your cell), e-mail and Web site. After all, if someone wants to contact you after receiving your card, you contact information better be on it!
Business Card Style
Choose a card style that's appropriate for your business, industry or personal style.. When crafting a design, start with the style that best supports the business image you wish to project. To help you get started, here are five different card styles for you to consider:
Basic cards. A basic card is usually printed in black ink on plain white or cream stock.This is a good style to choose when utility is all you need. It's a no-nonsense approach that can appeal to clients and prospects who would not be impressed by fancy design features-the people who want "just the facts, ma'am." The design is simple, and the information is clear and concise.
Picture cards. Having your face on your card-whether it's a photograph, a drawing or a caricature-helps a contact remember you the next time he or she sees you. Images representing a product or service, or a benefit your business provides, can help you communicate your business better than dozens of words. A splash of color (rather than just black and white) is often helpful on a picture card, too.
Tactile cards. Some cards are distinguished not so much by how they look as by how they feel. They may use nonstandard materials, such as metal or wood, or have unusual shapes, edges, folds or embossing. Tactile cards tend to be considerably more expensive than regular cards because they use nonstandard production processes such as die cuts. But for some businesses, this more unusual card may be worth the price.
Multipurpose cards. A card can do more than promote your name and business-it can also serve as a discount coupon, an appointment reminder or some other function. It may also provide valuable information that the average person may need. For example, a hotel may include a map on the back of its card for any guests who are walking around the local area. A card of any type can be made multipurpose by adding any of these types of features.
Outside-the-box cards. A wildly original, fanciful or extravagant presentation can draw extra attention. Creativity knows no bounds-except the amount of money you wish to spend. Some examples are cards made of chocolate or that folded out into a miniature box to keep small items in.
Printing the Cards
Once you've settled on a basic idea for your business card, it's time to head to the printer. There are four primary considerations when ordering business cards:
Weight. Most business cards are printed on 80-pound cover stock.
Finish. Of the three available-smooth, linen and laid-the smooth finish is the most popular.
Color. Right now, two-color cards predominate. If you're selecting from a catalog, there are between five and 15 standard colors to choose from. If you have another ink color in mind, your printer can show you a Pantone Matching System book, which includes every shade under the sun.
Quantity. It generally pays to print more cards rather than fewer, because the printer's cost is primarily in the setup.
Using Your Business Cards
After you have made all of the above mentioned decisions and identified a printer who will print the cards as cheaply as possible, your next task is to give your card to as many people as you can! A good way to promote business card usage is to leave the original box that your cards came in, in a highly visible location. Nobody likes spending money for nothing!
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Losing a job or getting laid off is without a doubt one of the more emotionally devastating events that most people face. Unfortunately, in these troubling financial times, many more people are likely to face this likelihood than any other time in recent history.