Premium Business Cards

If you are in the business world, then you understand the importance of having a high quality business card. When you are designing your business card, there are a few factors you should consider.

Some of the most common ones are:

- Paper stock (standard business cards or premium business cards)

- Business card design (should you have one professional designed or use the ready-made templates)

- Finish of the business card (glossy or non-glossy)

This article we are going to discuss the benefits of having a non-glossy business card, as you can probably infer, this is my preferred type of finish.

Now don’t get me wrong, a glossy business card is a great way to stand out from the crowd. First, it looks expensive which is usually a great impression to give off.  Next, it’s flashy and most of the time flashy is good so you can stand out from the crowd.

But, there is a downside of a glossy business card…you can’t write on it!

Here is the scenario….

I was recently at a networking event and met someone and we exchanged cards. He asked me to connect him with someone that I had a close working relationship with, I said sure no problem at all. So, I took out my pen to write on his card “Connect with Greg on possible webinar”.  So, now I knew exactly what I needed to do to follow up with him after the event was over.

Now, the next person I met, I wanted to write a few details about the services she offered because I felt it was a great fit for what we were working on in our project. So, I took out my pen and attempted to write on her card…but it was almost impossible!

Her card was high gloss and there was no empty space on the card at all to write a single word. So, needless to say I didn’t take any notes about her on the business card, instead I pulled out my notebook and wrote some notes.

Now, the fact that the notes about her are now in two different places, it will make it more inconvenient and greater possibility that I will forget to follow up and forget what we discussed, and guess what, I did forget. I was going through my cards and I know I followed up with the ones that I wrote notes on, but the rest I said I would go through my notes and match them up, but I never did, and I am sure I am not the only one.

As I mentioned before, glossy cards do have many benefits, but if you do get a glossy card, try to just have it glossy on the front and non-glossy on the back, and leave a little space for someone to write notes on your card.

Also keep in mind, you should get a card that when someone writes on it they can see their writing. This means don’t get a black card with white writing.

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When you hear people talking about business growth, joint ventures, strategic alliances and networking, the one thing that will never go away is the use of business cards. Business cards are a way to extend the conversation that you have when you meet someone new and would like to potentially work with them in the future, maybe as a client, a business partner to simply to follow up for personal reasons.

The use of business cards has not changed, but the one thing that has changed is the quality, style and new advances in technology that changes to keep making business cards better and better.

But the question is how much should you pay for business cards?

First of all there are many sites on the internet where you can buy business cards online that offer free business cards. This is a great way for the particular business to get you as a new client AND a great way for them to advertise their business.

When ordering free business cards, here are some factors that you should keep in mind.

Depending on the company, you can order free business cards and just pay shipping, but there is a catch. The catch is that although you now have free business cards, the back of your card will be stamped with the company’s information, for example “Get free business cards at Vista Print”. So, they are using you as vehicle to promote their business in exchange for the free business cards.

The quality of the card is generally the lowest quality that they have in stock. When you order business cards online, there are generally two options, standard business cards or premium business card. These card have different quality paper stock, the premium business cards have a thicker card stock, and portray a higher quality business card, instead of the type of card you can print on your home printer.

When ordering free business cards you are also giving off the impression that you are broke or cheap and can’t afford to purchase business cards. With this in mind, who would want to do business with someone that is broke or cheap?

Having a cheap, free business card also gives off the impression that you don’t take your business seriously and may be seen as just a hobby or something that you do in your spare time. You may be seen as someone who does want to invest in their own business.

These days you can get such great deals with business cards, there really isn’t any excuse to not spend a little money and portray the proper image when handing out your business cards.

By using online coupons you can order premium business cards online with discounts up to 40% off.

Ask yourself the question on if someone handed you a low quality stock paper business card that feels like it was printing on a home printer and it has “Get free business cards at Vista Print” printed on the back of the card…would you want to do business with this person?

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When you go to networking events, social gatherings, business meetings, what is the one thing you should always have with you? The answer is business cards.

Business cards are a critical component when it comes to connecting with people in a business and even a personal setting. But, with this in mind, since business cards are so common, we can make the assumption that people have probably collected tons of business cards over the years.

These business cards generally go in a stack, and many times by time the person looks at them, they forget who the person was and the connection stops there.

So, how do you overcome the fact that people may have forgotten who you were, even if you did make a great impression?

The answer is to put your picture on your business cards.

It doesn’t matter what you look like, you don’t have to be a supermodel, if you are presentable enough to attend the event where you met this person that you gave the business card to, then you are presentable enough to have your face on your business card.

Some people try to say that if you have a memorable business card, like your face on a hundred dollar bill that people will remember you. Some people even say, if you make a big enough impact on a person they will remember you therefore you don’t need to have your picture as part of your business card design.

But, I have to put myself in the other persons shoes…I’ve receive business cards that look like hundred dollar bills for example and I don’t remember the person. I met people that I really connected with but don’t remember their names.

Ask yourself, after you’ve left an event have you ever gone through your stack of business cards and don’t remember who is who?

But, most people remember faces. If you put a picture of yourself on your business card there is a much higher probability that that person will remember who you are.

Now when you take the picture, you should strive to look like what you look like at the events. The “normal” looking you, not a glamorized picture of you, but actually what you look like. Remember, this is not a dating service; you just want the person to remember who you are from looking at your business card design.

You can find a photographer that can take some professional pictures at very reasonable rates on sites such as craigslist.org, or you can just have a friend take a great picture with a white background and a good graphic designer should be able to make it work with your business card design.

So, when you are looking to create your business card design, make sure one of the elements of the business card design is to incorporate a picture of yourself on the card. A picture will give you a higher probably of being remembered after your card goes into the stack with the other collection of business cards.

Image source: LogoDesignerBlog.com

A business card template can be a creative yet convenient way to print business cards. There is no need to start from complete zero and you can produce a business card in as short as 15 minutes.

Why should you use a business card template?

Many people who are looking to buy business cards online tend to hesitate because they don’t have a design of a business card, therefore they feel they are stuck and unfortunately, just never order any business cards!

They either do not want to spend the extra money on hiring a designer, or they try to design one themselves and it just does not look good or professional.

Well, if that sounds like you in any kind of way, you are in luck.

There are many places to buy business cards online and the large companies have huge libraries of business card templates that you can pick from to create so you can buy business cards online with no pre-established design.

What kinds of business card templates are available?

There are so many business card templates available; it is way more than can be listed in this article. They have abstract business card templates, professional business card templates, business card templates with flowers, kids, pets, cars and much, much more!

How do I stand apart from the other people using business card templates?

That is a great question! First, you are correct in the fact that since it is a template, it is not a unique design, but the information on the card is unique. Make sure you have as much contact information on your card that you can provide. Some people don’t like to follow up via phone but rather by email, so make sure that is on there. With the move to social media, if it is applicable for your market, put your Facebook information on your business card as well.

What are some other advantages of using business card templates?

There are several advantages of using a business card template. One of the main benefits is that you have the basics in designing your own card. This allows you to start with a clear foundation of your design without totally starting from scratch. We all know how difficult to start from the very beginning especially when you are pressed for time and/or money.

Another advantage of using a template to print business cards is customization. You can choose to find the right colors, font styles, as well as other additional details effortlessly. Instead of being a time consuming procedure, create your business cards can be fun.  With the template design programs with many of these online business cards sites, you can change something with a click of a mouse, instead of going back and forth and waiting on changes from a designer.

When using the business card templates, you can play with images and text by simply following instructions of the guidelines. The tool will show you how to position the graphics and text   appropriately. Following the guidelines is so simple that it is very easy to finish your project. All you have to do is to fill the provided fields and produce your content.

After being satisfied with your business card design, you can finally choose the material for the final printing of your customized business card. As a tip, be sure to choose high quality paper to maintain that professional impression.

Without a doubt, using business card templates can make your life much easier (and more cost effective).  With business card templates, you can print business cards in a breeze!

Image source: www.multiwp.com

In today’s competitive world, every business is trying to get attention to help promote their product or service. In order to get attention from your potential clients, you have to be able to stand out from the crowd. The main way to stand out from this noisy crowd is by having your very own brand identity. One of the proven methods to tell the world about your business identity is with the use of quality business cards. This article will explain how top-quality professional business cards can be highly effective in promoting your brand and your overall business.

A Classic Staple

As far as marketing is concerned, business cards are a classic staple when it comes to identity in the business world. With your contact details, it contains the important elements to inform your potential clients or prospects about your products or services. It is also an opportunity to create an impression and a chance to start a long-term relationship.

When you meet someone for the first time, it is standard practice to ask them or be asked for a business card. Now, this is your opportunity to pass on your information to them with chances of getting a new client.

The Power of a Business Card

Never ignore the power of quality business cards. Though these cards may be simple, they can be your key to meeting the right clients and the ideal people you can do business with. In addition, it also establishes your identity with these prospects. Using professional business cards is a subtle way to promote yourself that can increase your chances of boosting your sales.

The Proper Business Card Design

As far as creating that distinctive brand name for your business, you need to have professional designs and attractive colors to portray the image you want to promote. Fortunately, you can now find the best options with recent technological innovations.

You can play with colors to add life to your prints and attract attention effortlessly. You can also make your logo as the focal point of your business card. In addition, another important point is the use of a sturdy paper, preferably with a 12pt cover paper stock, to make it more long lasting. Lastly, never forget to emphasize your contact information.

Without a doubt, business owners understand the value of these business cards. But based on reports, a lot of these entrepreneurs are having doubts that these marketing tools, especially the high quality types, may be expensive. The truth is that not all quality business cards are highly priced. The Internet is the best place to find these services that can offer you with quality prints within your marketing budget.

Image source: DetroitPrintShop.com

Did you ever experience someone give you a glossy calling card? Most people would instantly be attracted to the shiny finish of the card with its vibrant colors. It is pretty obvious that glossy business cards can have a significant impact and can be a great conversation starter.

Did you notice when you give a prospective client a black and white business card with ordinary finish? They will simply give a glance and forget about you. Therefore, your business will only be part of the stack of other forgotten businesses that they are not interested with. But with a high quality business card, better yet a glossy business care, you can make a great first impression.

If you are a business owner and you are passing out business cards to get some new clients, your business card is one of the most important things that you have, and you have to make sure you stand out from the rest. One of the easiest ways to be different from the crowd is with a unique business card. The best way is to have business cards that are uniquely interesting, durable, and truly worth keeping.

Because glossy business cards are attractive, they can have an impact when you give them out. They offer an impact that regular cards cannot give. The glossy finish can be attributed to the UV gloss coating. This layer can give your business card that distinctive finish and shine. In addition, the good thing about the UV gloss finish is that it can help maintain the color of your business card. The coating can provide a protective layer that can help prevent fading unlike other ordinary calling cards. After someone puts your business card in their bag, purse, pocket or anything else, it can get beat up and look warn down. But with the glossy business cards, they are more durable and will last longer than a standard business card.

Glossy business cards are also sturdier because they are thicker. Most ordinary business cards only last for very short periods of time because they lack the thickness. With the right thickness, glossy business cards can last longer and are more resistant to moisture and dirt. Hence, you will make sure that your cards stay with your prospective clients for more time…and still look good.

So, if you intend to invest money in creating your own professional design, don’t just get the ordinary finish. If you invest in bright images within your cards, use UV gloss coating to help maintain the quality of your business card. The extra fee you pay for a glossy finish is a small amount to preserve the quality of your cards. Having glossy business cards is now necessary for practical reasons.

Glossy business cards can be truly effective in giving you an impact with the people you meet. These cards can tell a lot about you and your business, boosting your appeal and credibility. In the end, by protecting your cards with that glossy finish, you ensure that you leave the impact you want to have.

Image source: BestBusinessCard.net

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Make the correct first impression.

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When you are ordering business cards you generally have to pick from two choices, standard business cards or premium business cards. Which one do you choose? Well, it depends on what impression you want to make, what your business is, what you plan to do with them as well as understanding your target market?

What impression do you want to make?

Do you want to make an impression of a business or company that is high end, successful and mindful of their image? Of course you do!

When I ordered my own business cards for the first time, I just ordered whatever was cheaper, wow, what a mistake. What I got back were some very cheap looking and low quality business cards. These cards looked like I could have printed them on my home computer.

When I was at the networking event that I was supposed to be passing them out, I actually told people I ran out of cards because I was too embarrassed to pass them out!

Even though people say “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, unfortunately people do…all the time. People will also judge you by your business card and the quality of your business card.

What type of business do you have?

If you are in the marketing, advertising or public relations field, you have no choice but to have a high quality business card. As someone in the field of marketing, advertising or public relations you should be stressing to your clients the importance of a premium business card, therefore, you should be the role model and the best advocate and sample for this great suggestion.

What do you plan to do with these business cards?

Depending on where you are going and what you plan to do with these premium business cards may alter your decision on your purchase. If you are passing these out at a high end networking event then you should have premium business cards, high quality business cards. If you are posting them on a bulletin board at your local grocery store, then you may not need to spend the extra money for a premium business card.

Who is your target market?

Understanding your target market is a great way to decide on if you want to purchase standard business cards or premium business cards. If your target market is CEOs of large corporations, then of course you would want to get premium business cards. If you own a lawn care business and your target market are home owners, then maybe you don’t need to have such a high end premium business card.

In summary, the decision on what type of business cards you should buy depends on a few factors, but the choice is ultimately up to you…just remember, many times you only have one chance to make a first impression, so it should be a great one!

Image source: SarahPerkinsDesign.com