If you are about to order your new business card WAIT!  Your business card could potentially be the messenger for your brand and a useful lead generation tool!

Image Courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Your business card is a very important part of your business branding process and it is much better to have no business card at all than to have a sub-standard, generic ‘contact details card’.
Think about how you can incorporate your company mission and make your business card stand out from the crowd to increase lead response.
To leave a lasting impression on your customers, you need to make your business card an essential part of your brand awareness campaign.
Here are six ways you can use to advertise your business with your business card.
1. Add a Call to Action on the Back:
The majority of people use their business cards as a means through which people can contact them. However, you can take your card one step further. Don’t just provide your contact details, give the receiver a great reason to get in touch!
“Log onto www.YourCompany.com for our latest discount codes and offers”
“Check out www.YourCompany.com for free coupons “

2. Make it Memorable:
Whenever you are handing over your card to a prospective customer, think about this: how many business cards does he have in his pocket (or on his desk) already? Why would he bother to remember yours in case he needs a service?
The answer: Make It Different! Make It Memorable!
Making your business card memorable is a great way of making a lasting introduction.
This quirky business card ticks all the boxes for trendy design and not making it just another business card in your wallet.

Image Credit: YourReactor.com

3. Advertise your Website and an Offer:
Use your card to advertise your website. Provide your site’s link on the card.
Also provide your email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn vanity URLs.
For example, you can advertise your website through a free offer.
“Visit www.YourCompany.com/Youroffer”   to claim your free trial/gift of X”
While it isn’t a good idea to put too much information on your card, using the space on the back or a blank area somewhere and promoting a lead generating response is a useful way of promoting your products or services.

4. Tell People What You Do:
Don’t just include a logo and contact details!
Every business card you see will have someone’s name and contact details on it. A month later when they retrieve it from their pocket or wallet, remind them why they need to contact you and provide details of exactly what you do! Here is a great example from a radio presenter.

Image Source:www.adsoftheworld.com

5. Make Sure they are Standard Size:
Many people keep business cards in a set sized business card binder or holder. When branding your business and creating your awesome business card design, remember to keep it standard size so it is easy for them to store for the future. If not, people are most likely to leave it somewhere and forget about it or worse still, throw it away. Ask your printer for options.

6. Make Your Business Card a Tool!
You can even turn your business card into your brand as this awesome example from a personal trainer has done!

Image Source:www.quicksprout.com

#SUMMARY
Don’t forget, business cards are a very important part of your company image and branding. They needn’t be a huge cost and many printers offer pre-designed templates that you can use online.
If time is an issue and you realise you are low on stock of business cards or if you don’t yet have a business card and need one for that all important meeting in a few days, many business card printing companies offer Next Day Business Cards and some offer free business card templates and designs.

With so many creative options for your business card design, there is really no excuse for the generic piece of card of the past 50 years.Have you got a memorable design to share? Post a link and comment below.

Starting a Business Comes with Perks!

If you are on the fence about whether you should start your own business, you’re not alone. Taking those first baby steps can cause you to feel excitement, fear and dread, all at the same time. Despite this, there are so many advantages to starting your own business and working for yourself. Here are 10 awesome benefits which will help keep you inspired while you’re starting up!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. You Become Your Own Employer

In our current economy, you’re up against a lot of people looking for jobs. But if you have the determination and drive for success, owning your own business can be rewarding. This business can be a tool that can help you generate some income based on your expertise and knowledge. In fact, if you’ve been in a rut and want to get the motivation and drive to succeed, the chance to start your own business can get things moving.

2. Build Your Business, Realise Your Dreams

When you are working for someone else, you are helping them to achieve their business dreams and goals. In your own business, you can start the process of making your own dreams come true. If you have knowledge and experience in an industry and have the will to succeed, having your own business can help you achieve all your goals within a business.

3. You Add Valuable Experience to Your Resume

Having your own business gives you experiences that most people in corporate America will never have. There are lessons to be learned as you operate your own business and many companies will respect those who are able to take this process on headfirst. Having the chance to put a company on a resume will reflect your commitment to being dedicated and self-sufficient while also helping to keep employment gaps off your resume.

4. Work on Your Schedule, Not Someone Else’s

When you are working for a corporation, you are required to work their predetermined hours for you. Often, this can impact the time you have available for your children and spouses. But when you start your own business, you will have ability to create a schedule that is going to work for you. This means you can schedule around your spouse’s job and when the children are at school and still have time for the events that are important to you.

5. The Opportunity to Realize Your Full Potential

One of the biggest benefits of owning your own business is the ability to realize your full potential. When you land new accounts, are recognized in the community for your work, you will discover that your experiences give you a better sense of self-worth. That alone will make the struggles of the experience worthwhile and provides you with a psychological form of self-actualization.

6. Keep Your Mind Active Instead of Stagnating

One of the big concerns people have working for someone else is that they fall into a repetitive set of tasks. When you start your own business, you will frequently have work to do that is varied. Most people who own their own business don’t experience the monotony that the average 9 to 5 employee faces and that can help to build a strong and active mind.

7. Set Your Own Deadlines

While self-discipline is important, you are going to discover that having your own business allows you to set deadlines that are realistic.

8. Follow Your Passion

Sometimes we take jobs that we have no interest in. This can range from selling auto insurance over the phone to filing forms in a major corporation. When you start your own business, you have a chance to work in an industry you are passionate about and do something you actually enjoy doing.

9. Make Your Own Decisions Instead of Taking Orders

One of the biggest perks about having your own business is you no longer have to report to anyone for the choices you make in your job. That means if you have a great idea, you can run with it without having to get the permission of someone else. Of course, this also means that you also take responsibility for your mistakes.

10. Commutes in Heavy Traffic Can Be a Thing of the Past

If you despise rush hour traffic and long distance commutes, owning your own business can be a solution. Not only can you adjust your hours to work for you, but in some cases, you can even work from home so your commute would just be a walk down the hall.

Summary

So there you have it. Of course there are many more advantages of starting your own business, but if you stick to the plan, and stay on course during those early stages, these and many more benefits will follow!

If you’re a business owner, please share your thoughts below and help inspire others who are on their business journey!