Using Business Cards To Create An Impression

Presentation is everything! It's a phrase that I heard somewhere a long time ago but one that I've never forgot. I can't remember the circumstances that I first heard the phrase, it could have been about something simple like combing my hair or something a bit more important like school work but I've had occasion to recall the phrase many times since for all manner of reasons from food preparation to interior design, and most recently for the design of business cards.

With the economy in such a bad way and people more reluctant than ever to part with their money times are tough for freelancers and self employed people in every area of business you care to mention. Being self employed or working freelance has always been hard work, having to do most thing on your own with little or no support so whatever gives you an edge over your competitors and gets you noticed is always welcome.

All of which brings me nicely back to presentation, and getting yourself noticed for the right reasons. Any small business already knows that presenting yourself in the correct way is paramount to securing important clients and contracts. With this in mind people wear smart clothes to meetings, make sure that offices and other business premises are clean and tidy and generally take care of the things that potential clients will notice easily. Often though, it's the small details that are neglected and when the difference between winning and losing in business is so slight, it's the small details that can make the difference.

Having a well designed business card is one such detail that people neglect at their peril. It's the one area that very often people to not take enough care of and subsequently they can end up giving the wrong impression or even upsetting someone. But that needn't be the case, by following some simple guidelines you can have a business card that says exactly what you want and portrays you and your business in a light that will increase the probability of success.

What do you want to say? - Sometimes the temptation is to say too much with a business card. The result is always that your card looks to busy or messy and people are put off actually reading it. It needs to look attractive and at this stage you only need to communicate a few choice things. Remember less is more with business cards. If you can grab someone's attention with the card then you will get the opportunity to elaborate or go into details. With that in mind successful business cards only contain the three things.

Your name or you business's name needs to be the most prominent feature on the card, that's what you want people to remember. Have it displayed at the top or in the centre of the card, depending on the layout you opt for. Next you need to have a small description of your skill or service. This is either one word or a brief sentence. It can be both but remember not to go into too much detail.

Any colour as long as it's black - Keeping it simple should be at the forefront of you mind and good business cards will usually be black text on white card. If you do chose to use colour as well only use one colour, a deep red or blue work well with text and subtle pastel shades work well with the actual card.

A picture paints a thousand words - If you have to include a picture or graphic make it a simple one. Business cards are small and so putting a picture of you staff of 24 in the top left hand corner isn't going to do you any favour, nobody will be able to recognise who they are and it'll end up looking messy and take up valuable space. A small graphic can look good, for example a paintbrush for a decorator or a pen for a writer.

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