For whom having a business card is important? And why?

1. Professionals: Business cards are essential for professionals in various fields, such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants, and consultants. They help establish credibility and provide a convenient way to share contact information with clients, colleagues, and industry peers.
2. Small Business Owners: Business cards are crucial for small business owners as they act as a tangible representation of their brand. They help promote the business, create brand recognition, and make it easier for potential customers or clients to remember and reach out.
3. Entrepreneurs and Startup Founders: Entrepreneurs and startup founders rely heavily on networking and building connections. Business cards serve as a powerful tool for making a memorable first impression and exchanging contact information with potential investors, partners, or clients.
4. Sales and Marketing Professionals: Business cards are vital for salespeople and marketing professionals as they enable them to provide essential contact information to potential leads or prospects. They serve as a tangible reminder of the sales pitch or marketing message, facilitating follow-up and further communication.
5. Creative Professionals: Artists, designers, photographers, and other creative professionals can use business cards as a creative canvas to showcase their skills and style. A visually appealing and well-designed card can leave a lasting impression and act as a mini-portfolio, attracting potential clients or collaborators.
6. Job Seekers: Even in the digital age, business cards remain relevant for job seekers. They provide a professional way to share contact details with potential employers, recruiters, or networking contacts. A well-designed card can help job seekers stand out from the competition and make a positive impression.
7. Students and Graduates: Students and recent graduates can benefit from having business cards as they navigate career fairs, internships, and networking events. Business cards present an opportunity to leave a professional impression, exchange information with industry professionals, and build a network for future opportunities.

Mandy Thomas

Friday, April 30, 2021

9 minutes

Don’t take business cards for granted. That little piece of card has been proven to add value to you and your business.

If you want to make a memorable first impression, you need to consider the design of your business card and the information entailed in it. We discover why business cards are so important, and how they can be used as a powerful marketing tool.

In this article, we cover the following:

• The 2 types of business cards
• The power of a business card design
• 4 key reasons you need a business card
• What to include in your business card
• Tips for designing your business card

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2 Types of business cards

Print business cards:

A print business card is a small, tangible, usually credit-card-sized paper card that details your business details, such as name, contact details, address and logo. It is the classic business card that has been the cornerstone of corporate identity for hundreds of years.

Digital business cards:

The savvy-detail packed piece of paper has recently undergone digitalisation. A digital business card is a file that contains the same information as a paper business card but created for an online platform. This type of business card allows for the use of interactive elements, such as links and motion. 

One has to consider the needs of their target market when choosing the type of business card that will suit their prospects. Making it ideal to try both options to see which fits your communication style best (7). Our focal point this month is on print business cards, we tell you everything you need to know to create a top-notch business card design.

The power of a business card design

Even though some people no longer see the relevance of having a business card, or they just don’t care about the contents entailed and end up throwing it away - the trick to convince people to hold on to it longer is to elevate each design beyond normal expectations (1). 

Research states that of the 10 billion cards printed each year, 8 billion will be tossed within a week. However, despite 88% of cards being thrown away, a company’s sales increase by 2.5% for every 2,000 business cards handed out (1).

It is important to consider the following when it comes to business cards:

Adds a personal touch: A business card design being a tangible asset allows people to touch, feel and hold it, creating a personal touch and acting as a representation of you. This can leave an impression on your audience in ways that words might fail to do. Use it to your advantage (2).

Creates a conversation: A good business card can initiate a conversation between you and a prospect. You meet someone and exchange contact details digitally and it ends there, but hand over a well-designed business card and that makes an impression on that person. An impressed prospect is likely to show it to others — continuing to market for you (6). 

“The more unique the card, the more you’ll open lines of communication” (Small Business BC, 2017). - Quote

Acts as a physical reminder: People you have encountered are likely remember you and your business because they can put a face to the business card. It can help people remember the type of person you are, and the business you are in.

A business card design can be passed on easily: Business cards are easily exchanged between people, and is a form of advertising that allows you to distribute to people without any digital limitations that might arise.

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Figure 1: The BFPG logo and font reflects speed, energy and forward-movement.

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The BF Petroleum Group is a leading petroleum wholesaler and fuel solutions supplier. An agile brand identity was developed to translate the logo onto vehicles, signage, corporate stationery and marketing materials. From the combination of design elements created, the brand identity symbolises speed, energy and forward-movement which can also be reflected on the business card.

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Figure 2: The BFPG business card shows how this tangible asset is used as an extension of yourself and your business.

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The BFPG business card design incorporates the brand’s design elements to create a memorable and recognisable look and feel if prospects were to ever encounter the brand in the future. Another added feature, besides the contact details, logo and tagline, is the ’35’ year logo icon on the top right corner. Having an icon such as that can inform your potential clients and customers of the years you have been in the industry and the effort you made to incorporate that element. It not only shows creativity but professionalism as well.

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