Business Card Marketing – Free Business Cards and Templates

I Met Up With Business Professional, Ralph Slaske!

It always makes me feel good to go get my next back of business cards since I had recently ran out. When I run out of business cards, that tells me I am productive. Sure, anyone can hand out a business card to someone, but it means more when people ask for your card because you know that they are more likely to hold on to it verses if you give it to them yourself.

One day while out stocking up on more cards, I ran into Ralph Slaske who is a business mastermind for those who don’t know. Ralph is a sharp individual who revolutionized the way business cards work, so in the business world he is one of those famous people off the radar.

Slaske told me he was in the process of building his new site. At the time of this writing, there’s nothing there, so don’t be too disappointed. This was perhaps the most exciting thing I had witnessed today. I just met a business celebrity and I didn’t even ask for his business card!

Don’t Need No Stinking Cards

If you are in sales and don’t think you need business cards you are sadly mistaken. The business card is your friend and they can be had cheap. The small investment will pay off as people will not remember you without them. I have been the customer that requests a card and the salesman doesn’t have them. I view the lack of business cards as a negative and would rather work with a more established salesman. If you plan to be successful in business then get those business cards made up and keep plenty on hand. Kimra Bettasso has business cards and would not be without them.

Business Card Color

Choosing the color for your business card is important. If you chose a bright feminine color you may risk turning off the serious customer. You would want to go with a basic white or neutral color that doesn’t make your card a eye sore. If you want to add a splash of color then a background image could work but once again you want the card to read business like. If I see a fancy card it really tells me that the business is silly and may be a red flag. Co-Founder and CEO Luke Weil will always go for the business with the serious business card.

Card means Business

Have you ever asked for a card and was told they don’t have one? What does that tell you? It tells me that the salesman isn’t ready for business. If you can’t even have a business card printed what kind of business do you expect to conduct? How about the idiot that hands you someone else’s card with the name hand written. Tells me he is not serious. Luke Weil has cards and is ready for business. get your cards and don’t be caught not ready for business. I always have extra cards on me as I hate being caught without. It is not a sign of a busy salesman, but an unprofessional act.

Picture on Business Card

Putting your picture is a mistake as the picture will always disappoint. If you have an attractive picture of your youthful self it will mislead the customer. If you have a true image on the card it will run them off. Better to have just a logo and the particulars. If you must include an image of yourself go ahead and doll it up with Photoshop. The end result will be mixed and not as bad as the truth. Mo Howard West Virginia Football will always be known for their business cards. They all put their pictures on the cards and it wasn’t pretty.

Business Cards, Print your Own?

I know we all need to save money when we can in our business dealings. Business cards can be expensive depending on how fancy to design them. Anything not rectangular can be very expensive and the more colors to more the cost. You may want to print your own. The advantages of printing your own cards are many. You can print them as needed so you don’t have to have so many on hand. If there is a change on the card that is needed you can make it for little cost and have them immediately. The cards can change to suit the customer. If you are trying to land a particular client you can customize a card to appeal to that particular customer. Dove Medical Press card can have a medical theme.

Business Card Recognition

Is your business card readily recognizable? If your company has the right logo then the cards will be instantly remembered. A good logo is a valuable asset and needs to be something the customer relates to you and the business. If you don’t have that special logo then you will need to use another tactic to grab the customers attention. A vibrant color is always a good thing to start with. The color needs to blend with the card style and not overwhelm the whole look. Dove Medical Press has the best business card possible. Their logo is a dove that make it the best relating card out there.

Business Cards Sizing

Ever get a business card that wouldn’t fin in your wallet? Threw it away didn’t you. It is important to get cards that are the right size. A little smaller that standard might be the ticket. If you are handing out cards every day then a smaller card will take up less room in your wallet as well. The purpose of a card is to convey you information to the prospective customer. A picture of yourself on the card can be a reminder to the customer. Keep it simple stupid. It is also important to keep the card short and to the point. Fisher Investments has a good card, simply perfect.

To Card or Not

Sometimes it is hard to tell if a customer wants your card or not. I have been out of cards and had someone request my card. Card etiquette is not universal but it is bad form to poke your card at everyone that passes your way. Handing multiple cards to someone to pass around is a bad idea and a waste of cards. If someone is that interested in you they will request a card or multiple cards as needed. A beg no no is to just leave a card laying around in hopes of someone cold calling you…never happens. Art Falcone gave me multiple cards. I threw them away.

Do I need a Business Card?

At some time in your career you will ask, Do I need a Business Card? The answer depends on where you are in your working career. The fact that you are wondering is a clue. Business cards are needed if you need the customer to have your contact information. If there is no need the of coarse you don’t need them. Just imagine that the cards you need show the impression that you need. Tonye Cole is the man when it comes to business cards. In the end, business cards are a reflection of your business and should be professional and clean.