As public speakers we all know that a good introduction can make or break a speech. It turns out that having a good introduction for ourselves when we are meeting people who might like to have us give a speech is also important. The secret to making a great first impression is to have a good business card. At first, business cards might seem like an antiquated way of marketing. But research shows that for every 2,000 cards a company hands out, sales increased by 2.5%.
To say the least, business cards still matter. If you’re looking to stay competitive, you’ll need to know how to make a great business card that stands out from the rest of the stack.
Keep reading as we walk you through a quick card-making tutorial.
Use a Template
Unless you’re particularly artistically inclined, we don’t suggest trying to design your business card in a program like Photoshop or Microsoft Paint.
Sure, it’s possible to come away with a decent looking design, but it’s going to take more time than it’s worth.
Instead, opt to use an online template. They’re easy to use, affordable, and give off a professional look.
Programs like the Adobe Spark business card maker are intuitive enough that you can design a great looking card in a matter of minutes. It’s also free, which is pretty hard to argue with.
Include the Right Info
Everyone knows that first impressions matter. But did you know that businesses have only seven seconds to make a great first impression?
When someone looks at your business card, they should be able to identify three important bits of information:
- Who you are
- What you do
- How to reach you
While most of those don’t elements don’t leave much room for interpretation, let’s focus on that last aspect for a moment.
It’s always a good idea to give people multiple points of contact. For that reason, you may want to include your email address, fax number, or web address.
The more ways you give a client to get in touch, the better.
Keep It Simple
You want your business card to look great. That’s understandable. But don’t feel as though you need to reinvent the wheel.
It’s best to keep the card’s design simple so it doesn’t take away from your info. Keep the design clean by spacing out the information in an easy to read manner.
You should also use bold fonts for the most important pieces of information like your name and contact info. If you want to add a little visual flair, include your company logo or utilize your brand’s colors.
Avoid using colored text, as it may clash against your cardstock. Likewise, be thoughtful about your kerning. Readability and aesthetics are the most important aspect of any business card.
Pick the Right Cardstock
When you’re satisfied with your card’s design, you’re almost ready to print. The last thing you’ll need to do is pick the perfect cardstock.
Glossy cards are a good call if you’re set on using a colored background or adding a logo to your card, though it’s hard to go wrong with a standard black-text-on-white-cardstock design.
In terms of thickness, choose something that people won’t lose yet still fits easily in a wallet.
How to Make a Great Business CardThere you have it, a quick guide on how to make a great business card. If you follow these tips, you shouldn’t have any trouble coming up with a card that’s guaranteed to wow at the next trade show or meeting.
Looking for more tips like this? Be sure to keep checking back with The Accidental Communicator for even more info on how to excel in the workplace.