The Art of Giving Business Cards

Why do we give business cards? It's a hard question to answer, because the etiquette for distributing your card is not very well-defined. There are many benefits to handing out your business card, but it's also important to consider the negative consequences.

If you're handing out business cards in hopes of landing leads and closing deals, be aware that this is a possible outcome. But distributed too often or inappropriately, a stack of them can seem desperate and insecure.

I find it's better to distribute a business card when someone asks for it. That way you're not as likely to look like you're begging for attention, and you save the cards for people who are interested in what you have to offer. If someone asks for your card, they genuinely want one.

Not only do cards serve as a reminder of your identity, but they also give the recipient the choice of how and when they will follow up with you or contact your company or organization. This is one of the reasons why people are hesitant to distribute their cards. They want to control the situation and be the one who decides when they will follow up with someone. This is not an effective way to grow your business or network.

The cards you pass out should meet some basic standards, like size, design and purpose. First, choose a card that represents you well and accurately reflects your brand's aesthetic. Your business card should not only look professional but also give people what they need: a way to contact you (your name, number and email) as well as a brief description of who you are and what you do.

There are several types of cards other than the standard business card. Some styles have a font and format that's specific to your brand or industry. For example, a flyer for your company's website would look quite different from a card for an art gallery.

You may also choose to customize the design and information on your business cards with white space or unique features, such as gold foil or embossed text. These details can make people feel like they're receiving something exclusive, or they can just be fashion statements. [ARTICLE END]

The art of giving business cards

By Greg Cheek

There is nothing more important in the sales process than presenting your clients with a solid business card. Unfortunately, business cards are often overlooked and left at the bottom of a pile of other things to do.

Most people don't even take the time to write their name, title and contact information on them. All this leads to a lost opportunity: millions of pieces of paper with no name or contact information sitting in a box somewhere never to be seen again.

A name, title and contact information is only part of the equation — it's also the card's size and design that make it effective. There are four general categories into which you can categorize the types of business cards you like to use: presentation cards, standard business cards, novelty cards, and special-purpose cards.

There are several steps in creating and using a business card, but they're mostly straightforward. Remember to use the following tips:

Avoid using a colored card. Colors can be distracting to your customers and make them feel as if they are taking a test or being interviewed. Stick with black and white only when possible, but also avoid heavy colors like red or blue.

Use heavy stock paper when printing your cards. This reduces the amount of ink used per piece and makes them more durable against getting bent or folded. Avoid flimsy stock like lighter cardstock because it can strain to withstand regular use.

Go with the standard size. It's most likely that your customers already have a business card holder to store their cards. If you use a non-standard size, it may not fit into the holder, forcing them to look for an alternative. Standard business card sizes include 3x2 inches, 3.5x2 inches, and 4x3 inches.

Don't go overboard on your design. The more graphics or images you add, the less space you leave for information or contact information. Remember that people want to be able to quickly view your contact information so they can make a decision on whether they should bother calling you later or not.

If you're giving a business card to someone for the first time, present the card with two hands. This shows that you respect him or her and values what he or she does. It also demonstrates that you care about the business relationship.

Business cards are used to identify who you are and what you do. They're also a convenient way of storing your contact information. Don't look at them as an annoying chore, but instead as a way to market yourself to your clients and customers.

Greg Cheek is an author, writer and entrepreneur who provides tips on business etiquette and networking conventions in his weekly newsletter, The Protocol Report - www.theprotocolreport.com . He is also a frequent contributor to Entrepreneur magazine.

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Business cards for sales people Answer to a question for me, why do business people hand out business cards? What is the purpose of the business card? I don't think it serves any real purpose except as a conversation starter. Even when I was getting my first job out of college, I remember coming across doors and seeing people just standing there with piles of cards on their desk and they were handing them to me. In today's world where cell phones are our everything, why do they still hand them out? Shouldn't we use our cell phones instead? It all seems so old fashioned and pointless to me.

If you want a business card to get your foot in the door, then by all means give them out. But for business cards to really be effective I think it's less about information and more about making sure you leave a good impression.

I don't know that I've ever received a card that was more than a couple of sentences long. The most important thing is to identify what you're looking to accomplish from giving out the card. Maybe it's taking someone out for coffee (if they ask before you do) or just introducing yourself if you run into someone in an elevator (if they take your cards).

Conclusion

Business cards are used by sales people. They can be handy tools when you have to meet with a lot of people, but they are almost useless if they don't have your name, phone number and email address on them.

There are many different types of business cards. The most popular ones today are made from heavy stock paper and include color printing and a raised logo on one side of the card. They come in an array of sizes depending on the purpose for which you want to use them. For example, postcards can measure approximately 2x6 inches or 3x5 inches in size (which makes it easy to fold a postcard into three panels). While standard business cards measure 3.