Getting The Most From Business Cards

In order to get the most from your business card, you have to make sure that it stays around for a while; hopefully a long while. A card that has gone straight to the trash does you no good. Think of the poor baby you have worked so hard designing just laying there in the trash, waiting for incineration. Sort of makes you want to cry, doesn't it? Okay, maybe that's taking it a bit far. It is upsetting though. What can you do to prevent this card tragedy from happening to you? A number of things:

• Paper quality. It must be high. Period.

• Ink must not run. Place a drop of water on your card and see what happens

• Size must be standard 3.5" x 2" inches. Larger ticks people off

• Colour. This is a big deal. Anything over 3 colours is distracting (photographs exempt) and black and white is just boring. Find the middle ground and go with it

• Message. Your business card should clearly tell people what you do. If it isn't clear, you need to do some work and re-word it.

• Font size. Font should be no smaller than 10 points; otherwise it's too hard to read.

Your card is around even when you aren't. It can speak for you, do advertising for you. Make sure it does just that, and stands out from the rest, but in a good way. Give out lots and lots of cards, 2 or 3 at a time, so they may be passed on to others. Your cards do you no good sitting on your desk; give them away, that's what they are for! You can always have more made.