So you believe that your business card just tells a client your name and contact info. This is not the case. Your business card assures clients and potential clients a lot more than this.

Think of your business card as part of your sales team, in fact it is your personalized sales representative. This sales representative will be functioning for you when you are not. When a potential customer is recollecting of a problem they will search their list of contacts by browsing business cards that they have acquired through out the years. If your card has that magical formula to arouse a response from reading your card then it has done its chore. More significantly, when submitting a business card it also gives an opinion about your degree of professionalism, how your business functions and your general abilities.

Your business card, like a respectable sales person must be equipped with a respectable sales ability and first-class product knowledge. If a salesperson does not have the above mentioned, then he will not complete the sale. This maintains true with a business card. If your card has the power to gain a sale and to relay product knowledge, namely you, then your business card can do its job in good order.

But how can you get those two important things into a small piece of paper?

When picking out a business card make sure that you use excellent quality stock for your business cards. Stay away from mediocre stock, make-it-yourself at home cards. These business cards will establish a terrible impression for you, your company and your overall business. You have to look like you regularly succeed in acquiring and carrying out a great volume of business. You can only do this by making the card as presentable as possible. You should supply a company logo that again, looks professional and in turn, this logo makes your card and you look more professional. » Read more: Business Cards – What You Really Need to Know to Have an Effective Business Card

Often, your business card is the only item left with a potential client or business partner. After a conference, meeting or display of your products, you are likely to meet dozens of people and leave your business card with them. It is essential that the business card design is complex and complete. This means that your logo, name, title and address (including contact details such as phone, fax, e-mail and web site) should all be present. When you are having your business card designed, aim for an image and a “feel” that best represents you and your company. Do not go for a flashy business card design if you are working in the financial field as this might give a feeling of sloppiness and insecurity to your clients.

Adapt the business card design to your clients

It is not important that you like your business card – but it is very important that your business partners and clients like it. Of course, you should always aim to get a business card design that you become attached to, a fact that will give you even more confidence. One useful trick is to print out a few dozen business cards and give them out to potential prospects and conduct an “on the spot” interview about them. Gather their opinions and make any necessary changes to improve your business card design. » Read more: Business Card Design Tips

Business cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:

* Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or your company do.
* Order them in large numbers. By ordering 1000 your cost per card will be significantly lower than if you ordered 500.
* Even if you can produce your business cards at home using an inkjet printer, have your business cards professionally made by a printing company. Your business card will be the first impression your prospects receive of your business, so let them convey the best possible one.
* Avoid using standard clip art as your business logo. A logo brings credibility and brand awareness, so before you invest in business cards have a logo professionally made for your business. Nowadays, there are online companies that can produce a professional logo for as little as $25, so there is no excuse for not having one made.
* Put up a website and use the URL in your business cards. If you don’t have a website, people will notice the absence of a web address in your business card and, depending on the business you are in, it may make you lose credibility.
* Keep all the information in your business card current. If you changed address or phone number, don’t scratch the old number and write down the new one by hand; get new business cards.
* Keep your business card simple. Don’t use too many fonts or try to cram too much information in it. Try to use a pleasant layout and make sure that your main message (your tagline or your unique selling proposition) doesn’t get lost.
* If you live in the US, limit your business card size to 3.5″ x 2″. Anything bigger will not fit in standard card holders and your card may end up in the trash. Business cards in Europe tend to be larger, but so are the wallets and card holders.
* Make sure that your business card reflects your image. If you are an artist or a graphic designer, it is OK to use trendy colors and fonts. If you are an investment banker, a sober layout and colors such as blue or gray work better.
* Your business card is an integral part of your brand or corporate identity strategy. It should follow the same graphics standards as the rest of your communications material (stationary, brochures, letterheads, etc.). » Read more: 50 Surefire Business Card Tips