Take a look at your business card. If it looks like this, your card is failing at marketing your small business:
Custom printing technology has advanced to make many premium elements realistically affordable for small businesses, such as gold foil, rounded corners, double-sided printing and glorious full-color. Take advantage of these possibilities to turn your business card into a marketing asset that customers talk about and keep.
Photographer Laura Northrup of Reflected Spectrum Photography details how her business card design facilitates conversations with prospective clients:
“I use double-sided business cards as a mini-portfolio for my photography business. When I meet a new person who may be interested in my services, I can casually share my photographic style and philosophy through my business cards. It makes a memorable first impression, yet keeps the conversation fun and friendly.”
Here are samples from three online printers to give you some ideas.
Personalized Pizazz from MOO
With all the design options MOO offers, any small business can craft a meaningful, custom design that speaks to customers. Some of my favorite choices are large-format cards and spot gloss. Find your favorite here.
Watercolors and Vintage Style from Zazzle
If MOO has you feeling a bit overwhelmed with choices, here are two interesting styles from Zazzle that draw inspiration from watercolors and vintage designs. View more of their catalog here.
Striking Typography and Patterns from Minted
The designs at Minted combine typography and patterns for a modern, artistic effect. Here are two examples (with a little gold foil thrown in). See other designs here.
Make Your Card Purposefully Creative
Your creative business card design needs to be part of your overall marketing strategy. There are many beautiful designs that won’t encourage customers to buy from you. Be purposefully creative to help customers connect your card with your brand. Identify these goals before finalizing your business card design:
- How your business card should be delivered. Do you personally hand it out? Do customers take it from a standalone holder?
- What you want customers to think when they take your card. Should they think that you’re professional with deep expertise? Maybe a creative problem-solver?
- What you want customers to do with the card. Hang it on the fridge? Share with a friend? Connect with you on LinkedIn?
Want to improve your business card design? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out to me at amanda@zooinajungle.com.
