Levin Tahmaz Master Trainer: Business Card
This business card was designed for Levin Tahmaz, a personal trainer to show the before and after effect of his training. (Advertising Agency: Bart, Turkey)
Friday 18 January 2013
Sponge Card
Sponge Card
A business card for Mundo do CondomÃnio which sells cleaning products. It was printed on a real sponge, small enough to keep in a wallet. (Advertising Agency: Fields, Brazil)
Choko La: Candy Wrapper Business Card
The brief was to capture the essence of the brand – deliciously surprising chocolate experiences. Result: never has a business card been in such demand. (Advertising Agency: Draft FCB + Ulka, New Delhi, India)
Dr. Al
Dentist’s business card with an included dental floss.
Elixia Vitalclub: Partner Programs
This card is only as dirty as your mind. (Advertising Agency: Kolle Rebbe, Hamburg, Germany)
Bang Your Own Drum: Stationery
Our thinking centred on referencing the name and hinting to their services – we achieved this with a drumstick pencil and drum skin business cards giving Bang Your Own Drum an identity that’s easily heard.” (Advertising Agency: The Consult, UK)
MODhair: Musical Comb Business card
A groovy business card for Rock ‘n Roll hair salon in Rome. This comb plays a classic rock theme when rubbed by fingernail, using the same principle of a musicbox comb. (Advertising Agency: Fabio Milito design, Roma, Italy)
Flow Yoga Business Card
A simple, yet very creative business card for Vancouver yoga center. The card rolls just like a yoga mat.
How to Leave a Great Impression with Business Cards
Business cards are often one of the first tangible impressions that a potential client or business contact has of you and your company. It is safe to say that you should try to make this impression as unique and memorable positive experience as possible. But just how can you do this? You can find a few tips for this below.
Proofread your business card.
Typos and spelling mistakes on your card can instantly discredit you and your company - not quite the impression you want to leave with someone. To guard against this, read your card several times through before having it printed. You might even have someone else read over your card just to make certain.
Put contact information on your card.
It can be incredibly frustrating to think you have someone's contact information and then find that their business card has only their name, company name, and position in the company. Include all of your contact information on the card, be sure to check the numbers and email addresses to make certain there are no errors.
Steer clear of clutter.
Make sure that everything on your card is needed, company logos, contact information, and company information are all vital. Too much information will overload the brain and make your card seem less valuable and memorable. You don't want to be remembered for the headache that your card gave your client.
Use high quality paper stock.
This is something that is often overlooked, but the feel of a business card has a huge impact on your first impression of it. A heavy or thick card demonstrates that professional quality is put into every aspect of your company. Flimsy cards or cards with perforated edges are dead giveaways of inexperienced or cheap businesspeople. Also, choose the type of paper carefully: gloss, matte, and textured cards all send very different messages, so make sure it's one that reflects your brand.
Now that these important things are out of the way everything about your card, the perfect spelling, clutter-free, handy contact information, will all make you memorable. You want to make certain that your card screams quality and professionalism, follow these tips and you will be sure to have just that.
Other business card articles in this series: Who Should Use a Business Card | The Importance of Business Cards | Business Cards, Digital Versus Paper | Information For Your Business Card
Best Ways to Organize Business Cards after a Conference or an Interview
You've just attended another huge conference and your pockets and goodie bags are overflowing with business cards obtained during your business contact spree, or maybe you have just had a slew of job interviews and have all of your interviewers' business cards in your briefcase, so what now? If you're not sure how to organize all of these business cards then read on for a few tips.
First things first, as you gather business cards you should jot down a quick note on the back of each regarding who handed you the card. Maybe it's just a few words to help you remember their face, something along the lines of "tall, red hair, southern accent" will do fine, or you could write a bit about what you talked about "Duke basketball fan, went to med school in Texas", anything that is going to trigger the memory for you. If you have collected several business cards at once as you walk down a vendor aisle at a conference or job fair then take a few notes after the event about the job potential or maybe some inside job information that a potential employer offered you.
After you have all of your cards with notes, divide them into two piles: important and trash. There is no use in keeping a business card for someone that you have no intention of contacting. Throw away the trash pile then taken the important pile and begin to contact each of the people in the pile. A business contact is not a contact if you just have their business card, you will need to establish a relationship with each of them. Shoot them an email or call them up just to say how you enjoyed your conversation with them or thank them for their time and interest in you. This is especially critical for you if you are job hunting, the follow up is nearly as important as the interview or first meeting.
Once you have made initial contact then file the business cards away in your business card folder. You should have a few categories such as "potential clients", "clients", "vendors", etc. These categories should match your own personal business card needs. After you have filed your cards don't forget to keep up with your business contacts. A simple email or phone call once a month or so will do fine, just something to keep the communication lines open for when you really need to contact them.
How to use Business Cards to Promote Your Brand or Personal Brand
Business cards are generally agreed to be one of the quickest, cheapest, and best ways to promote your business or yourself. Not everyone can afford to rent a billboard and business cards are your own personal mini-billboard meant to do one thing and one thing only: bring you more business and better business contacts.
That's all well and good, you might be thinking, but how exactly am I supposed to go about this? It's actually quite simple to use business cards when promoting your business or even promoting yourself if you are unemployed.
- Whenever handing out your business card do it in a professional manner, a simple "Thank you for your time, here's my business card if you would like to stay in touch. May I have yours?" will do perfectly.
- The flip side of this is that whenever someone gives you their business card you should offer yours in return.
- Don't pass out your business card like it's candy. It's not. Your business card is worth more than a simple piece of paper, it's your foot in the door of your next job or meeting with a potential client. Only give your business card where it is needed and wanted.
- If you are job hunting, attach your business card to every resume that you submit. It will make you seem more business world savvy and ready to take the job.
By following these business card tips you will see results for years to come. Business cards represent you and your business so be sure to choose a design that is perfect for you and include relevant information on the card. If you aren't sure about what sort of paper you should choose, or whether or not you should use a photo business card then you should browse a few of our other articles for more information on business cards.
Top 5 Effective Business Card Designs
Choosing a business card design can tough but have no fear! Tiny Prints has searched the world wide web for the top five effective business card designs and has condensed them into one handy article to which you can refer for business card design tips.
- Color Scheme: The color scheme of your card is one of the most important parts of your business card design. Whether you are designing your own custom business card or are choosing a pre-designed template the color scheme should not only complement the business card design but also your business's logo which leads us into the next tip.
- Attractive Logo: Your business should have an attractive logo, one that not only attracts the eye but also tells a bit about your business. If you don't have a logo you should contract someone to design one for your logo business cards or design it yourself.
- Clean and Clear: All of your business card printing should be quality and should be clean and clear. Don't settle for cheaper printing or your business may suffer for it. Choose top-quality printing, inks, and cardstock.
- Double-Sided: If you can't fit all of your information onto the front of your card, consider a double-sided business card. Custom business card designs are popular now and attract quite a bit of attention as they are unique and easy to pick out in a crowd of business cards.
- Photo: Photo business card designs are great for really making your business card stand out. Make sure your photo follows the tips above and if you are not sure on how to select a good business card design worthy photo then check out our article on the subject.
Business card designs are constantly changing, but these top five tips have stood the test of time and will remain in the top business card tips as they are tried and true. Follow them and you should have no fear to pass out your business cards anywhere
Tips on How to Use Your Business Card as a Networking Tool
Owning business cards isn't actually about what is on the card, or even getting a job the way you would normally think that a business card would help you. What are we talking about? We are talking about the hidden advantages and strategies of having a student business card.
First of all, your card should be impeccable. If a potential employer does take the time to read your card then your information should be correct and have as many ways to contact you as possible. The easier it is to contact you, the better chance you have of getting a call back.
Second, you should avoid using a .edu email address (unless of course you are a professor). Employers sometimes look for these addresses as a way to weed out candidates who won't be as committed to the job.
Now that you have a business card, you are ready for the secret of student business cards. The majority of the time your business card isn't about what you are giving out, but rather what you are getting in return. The line "Here's my business card, could I get yours?" will get you solid gold contacts that you may have not had the guts to ask for before. Because you have a business card this demonstrates that you are a serious person and sets you apart from other people that may be at the same job fair or event as you.
Finally, by using your student business card to obtain someone else's card you have firmly secured the ball in your court. You now have the power to contact this person and you should do so as soon as possible if you wish to keep them as a contact. A small note or email will suffice to keep you in the forefront of this person's mind and will seal them as a business contact for you.
Tips on How to Use Your Business Card as a Networking Tool
Owning business cards isn't actually about what is on the card, or even getting a job the way you would normally think that a business card would help you. What are we talking about? We are talking about the hidden advantages and strategies of having a student business card.
First of all, your card should be impeccable. If a potential employer does take the time to read your card then your information should be correct and have as many ways to contact you as possible. The easier it is to contact you, the better chance you have of getting a call back.
Second, you should avoid using a .edu email address (unless of course you are a professor). Employers sometimes look for these addresses as a way to weed out candidates who won't be as committed to the job.
Now that you have a business card, you are ready for the secret of student business cards. The majority of the time your business card isn't about what you are giving out, but rather what you are getting in return. The line "Here's my business card, could I get yours?" will get you solid gold contacts that you may have not had the guts to ask for before. Because you have a business card this demonstrates that you are a serious person and sets you apart from other people that may be at the same job fair or event as you.
Finally, by using your student business card to obtain someone else's card you have firmly secured the ball in your court. You now have the power to contact this person and you should do so as soon as possible if you wish to keep them as a contact. A small note or email will suffice to keep you in the forefront of this person's mind and will seal them as a business contact for you.
Tips on Business Card Etiquette
Like anything in social situations, giving out business cards has its own set of etiquette. So how can you know what exactly you can and can't do? You've already gotten your foot in the door by finding and beginning to read this article.
Business card etiquette dictates that you should be certain to always carry your business card anywhere that you think there is even a small chance that you will be asked for it. You don't want to be caught without when asked for one. But just because you are at a business event does not mean that you should be passing out business cards like free candy; five good business contacts are so much better than passing out 200 useless business cards to people who will never call you.
When asked for your business card, of course you should give to anyone who requests it, that's good business card etiquette. But better than giving out your card to everyone who you meet and wish to contact again, ask for their card. This ensures that you are able to contact them instead of waiting around for a call that may never come. If you don't plan on contacting them then you shouldn't ask for their card.
Good business card etiquette does not require but prefers that you follow up on a contact within a few days of obtaining their information. This could be in the form of a short email, a mailed note, or phone call to say how nice it was to chat and how you would like to continue to stay in touch with them. The purpose of this is to establish you as a business contact and to learn more about the person and a possible business relationship. Don't just put the business cards in a pile or file them never to be used, business cards are meant to make business easier, so start using them as soon as possible.
Tips on How to Use Your Business Card as a Networking Tool
Business cards have become much more than a contact information card. They are now a way of getting your name out in the deep waters of business, to introduce yourself and to set yourself and your business apart all wrapped up in one tiny piece of cardstock.
So just how should you use your business card as a networking tool? We've put together a few tips and facts for you to consider while passing out business cards.
- The business card is perhaps the oldest way to network; it's been around long before such social networking sites as Facebook and MySpace and is almost a non-spoken must-have in business circles.
- It is a common practice now in China to include instant messaging contact information on business cards and resumes. If you decide to take a page out of the Chinese book then don't forget to make sure that your profiles are business ready and have no personal information on them that might turn away clients.
- When you give out your business card be sure to immediately ask for their business card. When you have a few moments, jot down a sentence on the back of the card that will help you to remember the person that gave you the card. By doing this you ensure that you will be able to find the person that you need and actually remember them when you look at their card.
- After every event during which you have collected cards (and written tiny notes on the back of each) sit down for a few moments and sort through the cards. Decide just how each person you've connected with can assist you with your business goals and how you can help them with theirs. A mutually beneficial relationship is always best for business relationships. After you have decided this then go about contacting the person to set up that relationship.
If you follow these tips, you will quickly start to bolster your business contacts, using your business card to the fullest of its potential as a networking tool.
Business Card Tips for New Graduates
Jumping from the smaller university pool into the larger pool of the business world can sometimes be quite a shock for new graduates. Finding a job in this large pool can be overwhelming but also exciting! Probably the last thing on your mind is printingbusiness cards, but you'll be surprised to learn that this should be one of the first things that you should do! Here are a few business card tips to start you off on your job hunt.
- The content, design and colors of your business card should compliment your resume. They are both designed to help you find a job so of course they should match!
- Business cards are the perfect mini-resume to give to potential employers. A business card can be carried almost anywhere and fits easily in pockets and wallets, there's no need to carry hundreds of resumes with you as you are out on the town, but carrying business cards is a smart move wherever you may go.
- Business card tips would not be complete without a word of warning about online information. Once a potential employer has your business card it is almost guaranteed that they will search the internet for information about you. Make sure that your online information is flattering and makes you an attractive candidate for any job to which you may apply.
- Your business card says something about you, it's basically a small introduction or peek at who you are, so be creative and have fun with your business cards!
Once you've read these business card tips then you are ready to create your cards! Or you can read more of our articles about designing and creating your own business card.
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