Want to save paper, save money and wow your business contacts at the same time? Use a cheap key chain “pen drive” (a small flash memory card that jacks to a USB port) to create an interactive “business card” that will stand way out from the crowd.

Upload the drive with your filled-in Outlook/Plaxo contact or virtual business card and add a few free offerings such as an short MP3 demo of a class or training, a white paper, workbook, ebook – whatever is pertinent to your business. Keep the drive with you and whenever someone is talking to you about your work and has access to gear that will accept your drive (PDA, laptop, pocket PC, USB-capable smart-phone, etc), you can just offer to download your inclusive package into their device.

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What is on your Business Card?

Today, with cheap printing, a Business Card should be more than a simple one sided card with your business details on it. It should be something that people will want to keep.

How do we make Business Cards ‘sticky’?

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Business cards can be one of the most effective ways to gain new business. Think of them as little billboards with your name on them. They help you make more sales, create more customers, and increase your business.

Have you ever thought about what you say when you hand someone a business card? The words that come out of your mouth set the tone of your meeting, and can leave a lasting impression.

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In my opinion, probably the most important and misused marketing collateral that small businesses have is their business card. Now I network an awful lot and tend to gather my fair share of business cards and I have to say, I’m often at a loss how people put such little thought and effort into constructing what very likely will become the lasting image that they leave me with. That being said, if you’re willing, with a little effort, you can use your expertly-crafted business card to easily stand out from the pack.

Let’s try a little exercise. Grab a handful of business cards that you’ve received from people you’ve met and spread them out on a table, face-up so that you can easily see all of them. Now take your eyes off the business cards for a minute and then look back at them. Select the top 5 business cards that for whatever reason just seem to catch your eye. Then analyze those business cards. What about them grabbed your attention and why? The idea here is to learn what works and what doesn’t work in terms of having an immediate WOW impact.

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Too many small business websites are impersonal and often times downright boring. What seems to be forgotten on these business websites is that people do business with people. So why don’t we ever talk about the people they’ll be doing business with?

You can easily set yourself apart from your competition by simply talking about yourself and your staff on your website. Who are these people? What do they bring that’s interesting and unique to your organization? What in their background and experience makes them more qualified than anyone else to help your customers?

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Since the health care industry is considered to be people-oriented, health care professionals should try to look very friendly and approachable. If you belong to this industry, you would understand the need for such behavior. Most of the people who need health assistance are in some degree of discomfort and would require you to be very understanding and supportive. Health care professionals should also try to communicate in a soothing voice and at the same time behave accordingly.

Aside from these, you must give importance to your accessibility especially in emergency situations. If you are a doctor, a business card would provide your patients information about how to reach you. Because of the importance of this information, you should consider getting a business card with an effective design. A business card design for people in the health care industry can only be effective if you seriously consider two things: content and presentation.

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Your business card is the most practical and personal tool to promote your product or service. Here are 15 unspoken ways your business card can hurt your business.

1. DIY business cards. Perforated edges, thin card stock and ink that bleeds say “amateur” before your card is even read. Invest in professional printing and have your business taken more seriously.
2. Unique card stock. Cards made of plastic, metal, highly-textured stock or other unique materials are eye-catching, but if they are oversized or you can’t write on them, that cool card may be discarded.
3. Colour selection. Too many colours with too much contrast overwhelms your information. Choose colours that harmonize and are appropriate to your industry.
4. Font uses. Too many fonts styles, sizes and formats take away from a professional image. Try to limit your fonts to no more than two for a polished look.
5. Typing errors. Spelling errors imply you don’t pay attention to details! Have someone proofread your card - and test your email and phone number too! You may have looked at it too often to notice errors.
6. Irrelevant images. If the image doesn’t connect with your client, convey an attribute of your service, or have some relevance to you or your business name, it’s time to change it!
7. Cluttered info. Too much information takes the eye everywhere and nowhere at once. Use an attractive, flowing layout with “white” space for a greater impact.
8. Missing tagline. A benefit statement captures your offer and distinguishes you from your competitors. Give people a reason to choose you over all the others!
9. Unclear business type. Unique business names are great for branding, but a business card without a description of your services, industry or tagline, your company may be forgotten.
10. Multiple businesses on one card. It’s great that you design websites AND manage investments, but having each title on the same card can discredit you for both. Invest in your livelihood and create separate business cards!
11. Missing email address. Even if you aren’t web savvy, some of your best clients might be! Make it as convenient as possible for everyone to contact you.
12. Written contact info. Manually updating your card with a pen or label is convenient for you, but implies you take short cuts in your business! Instead, request their contact info and send a fresh one by mail - and throw in a brochure as well.
13. Recycling cards. Saying “Ignore what I wrote - I no longer need it” doesn’t make anyone feel special! Everyone you meet deserves a clean card.
14. Stained or dog-eared condition. If your wallet is stuffed out of shape, keep your cards pristine in a business card holder. Take pride in your business!
15. No additional value to the recipient. Reference to a free article, a list of benefits or some useful tips on the back of your card encourages people to make that first call.

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With the internet becoming the biggest industry in the world, it is no surprise that companies are desperately trying to figure out a way to market their services twenty four hours a day. Although business cards are a great opportunity for employers to connect with others and generate success, most people feel that they can only do so much. Fortunately, virtual business cards have now taken a front seat in marketing.

Although it is essential to hand out a business card when you meet someone new, the internet is now becoming a better way to target audiences. After all, this is a much easier way to connect with one another, while you are focusing on other projects. It is an effortless task; one that will generate more business leads for many.

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