MakeBadge is a free online business card maker. The web app enables everyone to make free custom business cards online. To facilitate work with our business card creating application, we prepared a video guide 'How to Make Free Business Cards Online'. The video tutorial describes the process of creation a classic business card step by step. A business card is a terrible way to get your name out, in that tiny little space you can only write so much. And if you want to survive in today's world, you better get yourself a website. Reasons why your website is more important than your business card are. Get inspired by 29 professionally designed Networking Cards Business Cards templates. Customize your Business Cards with dozens of themes, colors, and styles to make an impression. Typically at networking events you will hand out business cards. Business cards are a great way for potential customers to get into contact with you, but they are limited. Limited Information. Business cards can only hold a limited amount of information. Typically your name, job title, phone number and link to your website.
- February 10, 2009
- byServeNow Staff
Business cards have changed dramatically since they first appeared in China in the 15th century. At that time, they were essential tools of etiquette that were only for aristocrats and royalty, but in today's competitive market, business cards are an essential tool for any business interaction. With the sheer amount of business cards that are distributed today, it is more important than ever before to set your company apart from the rest.
Mac 3200 chainsaw manual. Think of your business card as a first and last impression. People can make assumptions about your business based on the information on and the quality of your business card. It also serves as a lingering reminder of you long after you have parted ways with a potential business associate. What do you want your business card to portray about your business? There are some simple rules to follow regarding what should and shouldn't be on your business card.
Business Card Do's
Brand Your Company
Your business card is your first opportunity to brand your organization with a potential client or peer who could offer you referral work. If prospective clients receive your business card from a friend or coworker, it is the only information they have about your company and thus it is your one opportunity to impress them. Put your logo on your business card, and use fonts and colors that are consistent with what is on your website and other printed materials. It is important that your branding is professional. Do not include clip art or cartoon images on your business card.
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Include All Contact Information
It sounds simple, but make sure your potential clients have all of your contact information. List a telephone number that will always be answered, a mailing address, a fax number, email address, and website. If you have a toll-free number include that with a local phone number. You never know when an out-of-town client will choose to call a toll-free number over a local number.
Use the Back of the Card
The backside of your business card is the perfect place to include information that makes your card worth holding on to. How to install xenia emulator on maclasopaopolis. According to Chris Brunner, owner and developer of GreatFX Business Cards, business cards with printing on both sides are the most effective. If a card is unique or rare (laser cut metal or chocolate for example) it may have a better chance of marketing success…but unique and rare comes with a price. In order to be effective on a budget, you should plan ahead for what content to include on the card. List information such as additional office locations, services offered and professional memberships. These details often are what makes a client take notice of your business over another. Don't let this space go to waste.
What Do You Do?
'One of the biggest mistakes I see on business cards is that it is not clear what a company does,' said PInow.com Brand Manager Troy Piegols. 'People may put emphasis on the color and design of the business card, but if you don't have a strong, relevant tagline it is ineffective. Someone who receives your card may not be clear on what you do if it does not mention your core business practice.' Examples of strong relevant taglines are 'XYZCompany – Successfully Serving Papers Since 1980'; or 'Riviera Enterprises – Professional Private Investigation Services.'
Business Card Don'ts
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Don't Design Your Own Business Cards.
Unless you happen to be a trained graphic designer, do not design your own business cards. You work with professional clients and you should give off a professional image. Your business card is fundamentally the first impression and is a lasting reminder of you. Do not let your lasting impression look like the 'Before' example in the image above.
Use a High-Quality Printer.
Do not use perforated business card templates that you printed on your office printer or free business cards that place the printer's logo on the backside of the card. Your business card is first and foremost a reflection of your business. You should not be sharing that space and co-branding it with a printer. This can muddle your message, and confuse people who aren't familiar with your company. Customers' first impressions will be 'free business cards' instead of impressing them with your professionalism. Business cards can be more reasonable than you think and a tax write-off.
Keep Them With You
Once you create a top-notch business card – distribute it! Have you ever met a potential new client and realized you left your business cards at the office? Have you attended a conference and met someone who could have referred you business, but instead of your business card they have a name and number on a cocktail napkin? Make sure you always have a stack of business cards with you, and remember to treat your business card as an important branding opportunity. Keep in mind that your business card is one of the most basic, but most effective forms of marketing and branding your company.
Want tips on how to network using your business card? Read Here's My Card: How to Network Using Your Business Card to Actually Create More Business.
IS YOUR WEBSITE JUST A DIGITAL BUSINESS CARD OR IS IT WORKING FOR YOU?
Get Your Business Card Working With Your Website Free
Include All Contact Information
It sounds simple, but make sure your potential clients have all of your contact information. List a telephone number that will always be answered, a mailing address, a fax number, email address, and website. If you have a toll-free number include that with a local phone number. You never know when an out-of-town client will choose to call a toll-free number over a local number.
Use the Back of the Card
The backside of your business card is the perfect place to include information that makes your card worth holding on to. How to install xenia emulator on maclasopaopolis. According to Chris Brunner, owner and developer of GreatFX Business Cards, business cards with printing on both sides are the most effective. If a card is unique or rare (laser cut metal or chocolate for example) it may have a better chance of marketing success…but unique and rare comes with a price. In order to be effective on a budget, you should plan ahead for what content to include on the card. List information such as additional office locations, services offered and professional memberships. These details often are what makes a client take notice of your business over another. Don't let this space go to waste.
What Do You Do?
'One of the biggest mistakes I see on business cards is that it is not clear what a company does,' said PInow.com Brand Manager Troy Piegols. 'People may put emphasis on the color and design of the business card, but if you don't have a strong, relevant tagline it is ineffective. Someone who receives your card may not be clear on what you do if it does not mention your core business practice.' Examples of strong relevant taglines are 'XYZCompany – Successfully Serving Papers Since 1980'; or 'Riviera Enterprises – Professional Private Investigation Services.'
Business Card Don'ts
Get Your Business Card Working With Your Website Now
Don't Design Your Own Business Cards.
Unless you happen to be a trained graphic designer, do not design your own business cards. You work with professional clients and you should give off a professional image. Your business card is fundamentally the first impression and is a lasting reminder of you. Do not let your lasting impression look like the 'Before' example in the image above.
Use a High-Quality Printer.
Do not use perforated business card templates that you printed on your office printer or free business cards that place the printer's logo on the backside of the card. Your business card is first and foremost a reflection of your business. You should not be sharing that space and co-branding it with a printer. This can muddle your message, and confuse people who aren't familiar with your company. Customers' first impressions will be 'free business cards' instead of impressing them with your professionalism. Business cards can be more reasonable than you think and a tax write-off.
Keep Them With You
Once you create a top-notch business card – distribute it! Have you ever met a potential new client and realized you left your business cards at the office? Have you attended a conference and met someone who could have referred you business, but instead of your business card they have a name and number on a cocktail napkin? Make sure you always have a stack of business cards with you, and remember to treat your business card as an important branding opportunity. Keep in mind that your business card is one of the most basic, but most effective forms of marketing and branding your company.
Want tips on how to network using your business card? Read Here's My Card: How to Network Using Your Business Card to Actually Create More Business.
IS YOUR WEBSITE JUST A DIGITAL BUSINESS CARD OR IS IT WORKING FOR YOU?
Tips on how to drive traffic to your site with engaging content.
Many people I speak with want to know how to improve their SEO and get more traffic to their site rather than their website just being a digital business card. This brief overview highlights the essential elements of developing effective content to drive more traffic to your site.
You have probably heard the term 'content marketing' if you have read any articles, or watched any videos, on how to market your business. According to Content Marketing Institute, 'Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.'
This means the days are gone of traditional advertising messaging of 'buy from me because I'm the best' or 'here's why you need my service.' Content marketing means you are giving your audience helpful or educational information to prove your value and set yourself up as the expert. This could be in the form of articles, videos, ebooks, or downloadable resources such as worksheets.
WHY?
A rising number of marketers report using content marketing to drive their brand forward. Your content helps attract leads and educate your target audience.
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In contrast to one-off advertising and the hard sell approach, content marketing shows that you actually care about your customers. It is along-term strategy, based on building astrong relationshipwith your target audience. Eventually, when customers make a purchase decision, their loyalty already lies with you and they willpurchase your product and prefer it over competitors' options.
Your Content Strategy.
It is the part of your marketing plan that deals with managing pretty much any 'media' that you create — written, visual, downloadable…
When you develop a content strategy, there are some key things to consider:
- Who are you creating this for?
- How is it going to be unique?
- What formats will you focus on?
- Where will it be published?
- How will you manage creation and publication?
Tips for Creating ENGAGING Content:
— Most articles are 300-500 words.
— First, figure out who your audience is and where to target potential consumers. Then, you must get them to act by providing them valuable content.
— Use images or video and add statistics to your article to make it more engaging.
— Make your content evergreen. To make sure you have a website that people come back to, write content that is continually relevant.
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— A popular format is to frame your content as a list of tips (like this article you are reading!)
— Another approach is to do a roundup of articles, videos, or quotes from experts on a topic.
— How-to guides and checklists are also valuable content. Keep in mind these are more time consuming to prepare but typically can be promoted for a longer period of time which gathers more engagement.
— Make it easy to skim. Most people who read online content don't actually read all of it. In fact, 81 percent of people only skim the content they view online.
— Include a download to gather names and email addresses of potential leads.
Now more than ever, content marketing is about generating stimulating content. Stop advertising your brand… The key to getting audience attention is to start creating content people want to read, watch or listen to, create things people actually want to engage with!
These tips are just the beginning to improving your reach and responses. Schedule a consultation with us to talk about the specific audience you are trying to reach.Advisor Expressions is the marketing partner for successful financial professionals who need a dependable and consistent way to increase market share and enhance client experience. When you work with Advisor Expressions, you have a seasoned financial and marketing professional craft and maintain a marketing strategy to fit your practice's needs. Contact us for a complimentary assessment of opportunities for client retention and growth in your business.
