Having been in printing and design business for most of my life I have seen my share of ‘file it under G’ business cards. That said our printing firm fulfills hundreds of business card orders in Canada and US each week. So what I am about to share with is a matter of opinion. I am of opinion that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. In life, oh well, if you don’t like it leave. But in business this is not case, assuming that your goal is to make a good first impression. This is way I view new contacts in business; 1) Your prospect wants you to WOW them
2) Your prospect wants you to sell them something
3) Your prospect forms an opinion of you in first 30 seconds
So these are assumptions that I walk into every business meeting with. Many of us truly believe that a business card is critical to your success and without it you are toast (for lack of a better term). To a certain degree you are correct.
I would like to submit to you that first impressions are always formed from one person to another. Your business card should reflect you and what you represent in sweetest way. But make no mistake, YOU need to make that first impression and that is not accomplished with a handshake, smile and a business card. So carefully spend time redefining your approach, want you want to sell and how you want to sell it. Try to follow this proven sales formula. We call it AIDA formula;
Approach Interest Desire Action
OK, so now we have buffed up a little on pre sales psychology, what about that business card? How can I get design wheels turning? If you are of creative mind but are not sure how to get started, there are many printing companies online that offer business card templates created by professional graphic designers. A good example of this can be found here http://www.weprintcolor.com/buscardtemplate.htm
You may also be of creative mind and are well versed in use of professional desktop publishing programs such as Adobe Photo Shop, Corel Draw, Quark Express, or Adobe Illustrator, why not just send file for printing? Before you do you should make certain your digital file is optimized for best print result! First learn what is required here http://www.weprintcolor.com/pre-press.htm then you can submit your digital file for free preflight check here http://www.weprintcolor.com/upload.htm . This way you are certain your file will print nicely.
Here are my 10 Tips on how to get your Business Card filed under ‘G’ (garbage);
1) Print type that size of ant’s feet. Your eyes may be great but mine aren’t
2) Print on perforated 10 up card templates from your ink jet or laser printer. Remember that first impression?
3) Choose colors that clash or do not compliment each other. There is a color wheel that explains 10 colors relating to each other. These colors have 3 basic relationships: Adjacent, Contrasting and Complimentary Adjacent colors share a common side and are similar. Contrasting colors are those which have three other colors between them. Complimentary colors are those on opposite sides of color wheel.
http://www.weprintcolor.com/usingcolour2.htm
4) Use a co worker’s business card and hand write your information on it. You might be able to use this once but don’t try it on your second or third meeting.
5) Print your business card with typographically incorrect information then try to patch it up. I will again, suggest that you rely on resources at hand. For $49 a company like ours would charge you to completely reproduce 500, professionally printed high quality, full color, aqueous coated business cards it’s a no brainer.