Business Cards - an under-used marketing tool

How many times have you attended a wedding, BBQ, or even a business meeting and forgot your business card? I admit it, I've done it several times. All we can do is try to remember! Keep a few in your wallet for those "just in case" situations.

But here's the other thing - how many of us take the time to design a business card that really reflects our business, our brand, and is memorable? If you're like most, you created your card to have the basics - your name, phone numbers, email and mailing address. All important information, yes, but basic as well.

A friend recently scoffed at my thought because most of us take the information from a business card, import it into our electronic databases whether that's a Blackberry or on our computer, and chuck the business card in the circular file cabinet. When I pressed her to think about a card that she remembered, she immediately pulled out a card from her purse from a restaurant. The card had a simple image on the cover of a glass carafe with red wine in it on a table (we're assuming it was red wine because the card was a pretty black and white photograph). The restaurant's contact information was on the back. Why did she keep this particular business card? She said it made her happy to see the picture - what a great marketing piece for that restaurant! A card that a customer kept in her purse and could reference anytime she wanted to smile!

Since summer is slow for some companies, take the time to re-design your business card. Pull out cards you like if you keep cards in a rolodex or pick up cards as you come across them in the next month. Then, take components from ones you like and redesign it. Use a designer or take the pieces to an office supply store near you and they can help you design one, too.

It seems like such a simple piece of your business and yet it can be so powerful when used to its maximum potential.

If your company has a neat business card it would like to share, email it to me and we might post it on our blog!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes
www.KarydesConsulting.com