Avoiding these 12 common mistakes will help create business cards that don’t end up thrown in a trash bin.
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Your business card is your calling card. It should be a tool that will get people to remember you and contact you for business. But if your business card is poorly designed, has important contact information in unreadable fonts, or looks unprofessional, it will be useless. Be sure your card works for you by avoiding these 12 common business card mistakes.
A business card is one of the most important and cost-effective marketing tools a business has. It helps people remember you after they return from a meeting, and it gives them a way to contact you in the future. Yet too often, small businesses make mistakes on their business cards that prevent the card from making a great impression. Those cards have a good chance of being thrown into the trash.
You don’t need to be a professional designer to come up with a good business card. You can make it an effective marketing tool by avoiding these common business card mistakes.
We’ve seen a lot of business card missteps. Here are twelve of the most common mistakes to avoid with yours.
Your business card has a dual purpose. It’s a tool to remind people about your business, and it’s the source of contact information that will allow customers and prospects to reach you. No matter how nice your card looks, it won’t be as effective as it should be if it’s missing important contact information.
At the very least, the contact information on your business card should include your business name, your name, title, address, phone number, website, and email address.
Homebased business owners often don’t like to include their address on their business cards. But people expect established businesses to have a physical address. If your business card is missing an address, it can make prospects question how long you’ve been in business and how long you’ll stay in business.
If you work from home and don’t want to include your home address on your business card, consider getting a post office box, a business mailbox at a UPS store, or a virtual office address. If none of those options are in your budget, at least include a city and state on your business card so customers have some idea of where your company is located.
One mistake that’s common to many business cards is that they are mundane and unimpressive. Leave someone with a card that looks great, feels great, and clearly defines what your business does, and you and your card won’t soon be forgotten.
There’s absolutely no excuse today for an unattractive or unprofessional-looking business card. With customizable templates and online design tools, you can easily create your own business cards that reflect your identity and brand. Some great places to look for free business card templates include online printing companies, Microsoft, Avery.com, and various printer manufacturers. Canva also has a lot of great options; if none of those suit your preferences, just search “business card templates” and you’re sure to find a template that works for you.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might be tempted to buy the cheapest business cards you can find. Don’t make that mistake. You want a card that’s printed on good stock paper so it feels substantial and pleasing to the touch. It also needs to be durable enough to spend some time in someone’s wallet and still be readable.
Low-quality cards might peel apart or lose their ink quickly, which defeats the purpose. Worst case scenario, a poor-quality card could imply a business that will have poor-quality products and services. Rather than attracting business, this type of card would most likely repel prospective customers.
When someone looks at your business card, can they tell immediately what your business does and which specific business of that type you are? For example, your card might show that you’re Joe’s Taxi Service or Bob’s Limo Service. If it doesn’t, you’re not likely to get many calls or referrals.
To help with that identification, be sure to include your logo. If possible, the logo should have some connection to what your business does or what you’re selling. For example, for 43 years, UPS (United Parcel Service) had a logo on their business cards that showed a string-wrapped parcel sitting above the carrier’s shield. It was a simple premise, but it got the job done.
To keep your card readable, avoid using low quality images for you logo. Be sure to use a resolution that will print well on the small business card size.
Many businesses miss the golden opportunity of utilizing their business card to its full marketing potential. Your card should state at least one very powerful reason a customer should do business with you, or your unique selling proposition. For example, an auto service center’s business card that reads in part, “complete automotive repairs” and “all work fully guaranteed” lets people know that the center handles all types of repairs, and builds trust by mentioning the guarantee.
Understanding business card dimensions is crucial as specific measurements ensure your card fits in wallets and business card holders. The standard business card size is 3.5 by 2 inches. Common sense dictates using a traditional-sized card. Bigger business cards will not fit in wallets or most business card holders. Smaller cards stand a chance of getting lost or overlooked.
Chances are an odd-sized business card will end up in the trash. If you do decide to print a uniquely sized or shaped business card, test it out with potential customers to make sure it’s as impactful as you’re hoping and not just weird.
Does your business card have a font size so small that you need to hand out a magnifying glass in order for it to be read? Don’t fall for that mistake. You may be able to cram more information onto the card with a small font, but what good is it if people can’t read it? A good guideline is to use a type size no smaller than 7 or 8 points. Your name can be a little larger, about 9 points, and the company name usually looks good at about 12 to 15 points.
An appealing business card does not contain the print content of a novella. Too much print looks busy, is difficult to read, and looks unprofessional. Simple is best.
Sort through the information and keep only what’s totally necessary for someone to know: your name, your company, what you do, why they should use you, and how to reach you. If you have too much information to put on the front of the card, remember you can use the backside, too. The back of a card is a good place to add a link to sign up for your email list or relevant social media links, for instance.
Spice up your business cards with a little splash of color. You’d be surprised what a difference it makes. For example, just as restaurateurs use the color red for its appetizing quality, the judicious use of red in a business card is very visually appealing. While you’re at it, avoid the common mistake of grey print on a white background; it lacks contrast, and the print is difficult to read.
On the flip side, don’t make the mistake of color overload. Too many colors that don’t complement one another will make the card look busy and will detract from the content of your card.
Many people use email instead of making phone calls. And people who want more information about your business often want to learn more without a sales pitch. So, they go to your website and read about you there.
Although you could refer people to your social media pages, you don’t own the pages and don’t own the contacts. You can’t even control what gets displayed to whom unless you buy ads. So, if your email address and website are missing from your card, you’re likely to miss out on some business.
What good is having a box full of business cards if they’re just sitting there collecting dust? It would serve you and your business better to apply the old axiom, “Use it or lose it.” What can you lose? Business.
Always have a supply of your cards wherever you go. Give them out when appropriate, and while you’re at it, don’t hesitate to give out more than one. Invite people to pass the extras along to others who might need your service. You might be surprised at how often this can result in a referral.
For those times when you can’t network in person, be creative. Drop one or more business cards into the packages you ship to customers. Send out greeting cards to customers to congratulate them on their birthday, thank them for their business, or wish them well on a holiday. Drop a business card or two into the greeting card.
Put a card in any printed invoices you mail to customers. While your company contact info is already on those invoices, the customer is likely to discard the invoice after they pay you. But they might save your business card or give it to a friend who needs your services.
Even after you’ve designed a business card that avoids all of the mistakes covered above, there are still some considerations to make before you commit to a card.
When it comes to business card printing, the details matter. Start by selecting a high-quality paper stock that feels substantial and durable. The finish of your business card can also make a significant difference. Whether you choose matte, glossy, or soft touch, each finish offers a unique tactile experience that can leave a lasting impression.
Before you hit print, make sure to proofread your design meticulously. Even a small typo can undermine your professionalism. If design isn’t your forte, consider hiring a professional graphic designer. A skilled designer can help you create custom business cards that not only look great but also reflect your brand’s identity and style.
Choosing the right paper stock and finish for your business cards can elevate their look and feel. Here are some popular options to consider before you print business cards:
Proofreading your business card is a crucial step that should never be overlooked, but it too often is. Here are some tips to ensure your card is error-free:
Testing your business card design is an essential step to ensure it resonates with your audience. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Consistency in branding is key to creating a professional and cohesive image. Here are some tips to ensure your business card aligns with your brand:
By following these additional considerations, you can create business cards that not only look professional but also effectively represent your brand and leave a lasting impression on potential customers.
RELATED: How to Design the Perfect Business Card
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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