SecretSchool.Org

• The Basics •

Your business card is an extensionof yourself and/or your company. Itacts as a “silent salesperson” andshould be a key part of yourmarketing plan. Many people hold onto business cards longer than anyother marketing collateral. And as I’msure you’ve seen, there are evenspecific filing systems – boxes,plastic sleeves, compact books, etc.to keep business cards stored foryears.Inside, you will find 13 simple “How-To”tips to produce fantastic businesscards that will help your marketingefforts and create dynamic, qualityrepresentation of you and yourcompany!

• 13 Tips & Tricks • 13 simple tips for creating and usingyour business cards effectively toattract more business…There are three styles throughwhich people process incominginformation:

Tip 1 • Visual.
These people remember images easily. You want to useattractive colors, images and photos,while keeping text simple andpurposeful.

Tip 2 • Auditory.
People who are auditory remember the words usedand take words literally – so say whatyou mean and mean what you say.

Tip 3 • Kinesthetic.
These people remember the feeling of yourmessage. The feeling of paper andtexture is important too. Also the useof “feeling” words brings comfort.

Tip 4 • Minimal Effort.
Make it easy for people to read your cards andunderstand your message. If theyhave to struggle or work at it, youmay lose valuable customers.

Tip 5 • Photos.
Using your photo or a photo of your product not only buildstrust, it builds relationships andrapport more quickly. Be sure yourimages are a high resolution – 300dpiminimum.

Tip 6 • Both Sides of the Card.
Use your entire business card’s realestate. On the back, you can put amap or directions, testimonials,quotes, a list of services orproducts, your mission statement oreven another image.

Tip 7 • Paper Quality.
Use a business card weight and quality paper, suchas linen or card stock. It makes aninstantly positive impression if yourpaper feels good to the touch.Quality paper gives the impression ofa professional business that valuesits presentation.

Tip 8 • Text.
Stick with easily readable fonts. Artistic fonts such as tribal or Carpenter may look good, butare hard to read. Font size should beno smaller than 10pt, but again, makesure it’s legible (sometimes 10ptvaries in size from font to font).

Tip 9 • Colors.
A good rule of thumb is 2-3 colors. Be sure your textcolor is dark enough to read on alight background, if it’s too light, itmay be hard to read.

Tip 10 • Benefits
(what’s in it for yourcustomer?) Stimulate the interest of your potential clients, tell them howyou can increase, decrease, enhanceand improve their business, theirlives, their relationships – you getthe point…

Tip 11 • Call for Action.
Invite them to visit your website, offer a freeconsultation, offer a toll-free phonenumber, provide easy access to youand your services.

Tip 12 • Pleasure Value
(kinestheticpeople love this stuff). Folding cards, smooth or rough texturedpaper, embossed characters,rounded corners, cut-outs, spot UVcoated images or text, etc.

Tip 13 • Five Common Business CardMistakes.
• Poor print or image quality
• Over-sized cards that don’t fitinto standard card holders
• Small fonts, too hard to read
• ALL CAPS SOUNDS LIKE YOU’REYELLING
• Cross-outs, handwriting, typos