Business Card Basics

Do you want to expand your business? Do you want to be number one on your client's list? Do you want to beat out the competition? Do you want to spend very little money marketing yourself?

While there are many ways to help your business grow, one of the best, least expensive ways is to create a business card that is memorable, imaginative, and informative. If you don't have business cards just yet, then you are missing out on a lot of money making opportunities!

In this article, you will learn not only how to create a business card that will give clients the information they'll need to contact you, you will also learn how to give your competition a run for their money!

When designing a business card, you should include the following information that will help potential clients find you:

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Your name
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Job title
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Business name
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Street address
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Phone number
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Fax number
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Email address
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Web site address
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Slogan/Logo
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List of services/products

You're probably thinking that all of this information is not going to fit on a 3.5 in. by 2 in. business card. These days, it's not uncommon to use the backside of the card. On the backside, you should put any URL's that pertain to your business and a list of services or products. If you can, combine your slogan with your services or products. This will save you some space.

Example: "We service your car right!" This slogan might appear on an auto mechanic's business card.

The client knows the type of business and can expect the types of services that will be offered. If the mechanic wanted to expand on the services offered, they could place a short list on the back.

So now you have the business card basics. The next step is to figure out how you want the card to look. This is where you can use your creativity and imagination.

Business Card Design

With desktop publishing software such as Microsoft Publisher, it is easy to create a business card from hundreds of templates. While the standard business card is still horizontal, if a vertical card will represent your business better, then use it! Always remember that some rules are made to be broken.

When creating your card, you should focus on the following:

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Font
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Font Texture
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Logo
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Color

FONT

You should stick to one type of font for your business card. Cards that are difficult to read are not creative - they are useless. Choose a font that is easy on the eyes and one that is small enough to allow of your text to shine.

FONT TEXTURE

You can choose from:

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standard text
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embossed text (which is text that is slightly raised)
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shadow effect
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engraved text ( which the opposite of embossed text)
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outline

The font texture will give your business card a more polished look. As with the font, choose only one font texture for the entire card.

COLOR

The color of your business card will make it stand out or disappear. Depending on the type of business you run, you should choose a color that makes a statement and one that tells clients what your business is all about.

Make sure that the font, font texture, and logo are not lost in the color. All too often darker color business cards are difficult to read because the font and font texture are wrong. You can test out your options when creating your template.