First Impressions

Your business card can be one of the simplest and inexpensive marketing tools you have, if you look at it as one rather than a necessity or business luxury. Business owners, small and large, often miss the point of a business card as a marketing tool and leave important elements out. Here is a simple breakdown of elements your business card should include and what they say about you.

1. Your Name.

This is kind of a "duh" feature, but you would be surprised at how many business cards only include company information rather than the name of the person in the company you want to contact. Make it easy to find and read.

2. Your Title.

Your position in your company matters. It matters to those you are giving your business card to and it matters to you, so include it on your card.

3. Your Business Name.

Your business card is a marketing tool, so include the name of your business on it. If your business doesn't have a name, get one. A business with a name is serious, whereas, "John Doe, Personal Accountant," is a hobby.

4. Address.

Make it simple for people to find you, contact you, and know you are a serious business. If you run your business out of your home and don't want to include that address, get a PO box to put on your business card.

5. Email Address.

Most people include their email address on their business card and so should you. However, you do not want to include an unprofessional email address, so make sure it is something along the lines of, "yourname@yourbusinessname.com" rather than a personal email address. Including a professional email address enforces your brand and business name and it says you are a professional.

6. Phone and Fax.

Include your phone numbers, including your cell if you choose, just make sure each number is clearly marked so you don't have a customer call a number just to have a fax machine screech at them.

7. Logo.

You need a logo, especially on your business card. Think of the golden arches. I don't even have to tell you what business they represent because you already know. A logo is an opportunity to establish your brand and what your business is all about and a tool to bring your company to mind when your customers need something.

8. Tagline.

Every great business has a tagline or slogan. A tagline sums up what your company can provide in one simple, catchy sentence that can repeat in your customers' minds. If you don't think taglines are effective think of, "The quicker picker-upper." Include your tagline on your business card with your business name and logo and you have a recipe for a winner.

9. Web Address.

If you don't have a web address, it is time to take the plunge and get one. If you want your potential clients to view your business as a business rather than an expensive hobby, you need a web site they can visit. It is not difficult or expensive to get a website, so get one and build your brand so your business card can actually drive in new and potential clients.

10. Action Motivator.

The one thing that is left off the most business cards that when added turns them into a marketing tool is an action motivator. This is a huge opportunity to open new avenues of business for yourself. You are using your card as a promotional tool, so include a promotion on it. Print something along the lines of "10% off using code." on the back of the card that will call people to action. Rather than allowing your card to be filed away, make it a marketing tool by including a call to action on it.