As a Business Owner/Professional, your Business Card is the most basic and important tool in your Business Toolbox. The appearance of your business card (or the lack of having one) speaks volumes about you, your business and quality of work. Right or wrong – appearance is everything.
One day I was working on an investment property, and a guy drives up. First thing I noticed is the inside of his truck was trashed, and I mean trash everywhere. Second thing I noticed was he did not get out of the truck to speak with me (what can I say, I am a bit particular and want people to treat each other with at least a little bit of a common decency).
The gentleman informs me he is a painter and would like to know if I had a painter lined up for the house. I told him no and asked him to give me his business card. He said he did not have a business card. Then he ripped a receipt in half, wrote his number on it and handed me his trash.
I call it trash, because the moment he pulled out of the driveway I threw it out. The painter did several things wrong (all of which will be discussed in future Branding Tips); however, I could have overlooked most of them if he had a business card.
A well-made, quality business card states you are serious about your business. It gives you a professional appearance. A person may end up holding onto your business card and call you months after you met them. That business card is the only impression that person will have of you.
What do you want your business card to say about you?
Do you want your business card to scream “I am a professional, and I am here to stay in the marketplace. So call me.”?
Or do you want your business card to scream “I cut costs and saved money on my business card. I am testing the waters to see if this business will work, and I am not sure if I will be around for a while. So call me.” Well, I guess it is more of a mumble, because this type of business card is flimsy and crinkles easily when moved from desk to drawer to drawer etc.
Or do you want your lack of having a business card scream “Do not call me, because you have no way to get in touch with me.”?
Here is my theory – if you cannot invest a little money into a quality business card, I am pretty sure you will not use quality products on my project.
I am finished with my rant on business cards.
Get one – not an option. Get a professional one – not an option. I purchase high grade, two color and elevated print for about $60 per 1,000. If you go with medium grade, black ink and regular print, and you can probably get those 1,000 cards for $45 or so (maybe less).
You can even order 250 cards from VistaPrint for free. Now, you have no excuses.
Before I forget, put a local number of your business card. Trust me, and just do it. I will explain why in Business Branding Tip #2.
Aaron
www.aaronsilverman.com
