Turn your business cards into a marketing asset

Your business has a much-desired downtown location, thoughtful and classy interior decorating, and a well-designed website. Yet when you meet a business contact for the first time, none of this matters - the first thing they see (and the first impression they get of the business) is your business card.

That being said, many business cards are simply standard. Yes, they may be professional, but considering the deluge of business cards that the typical professional receives - especially at events such as tradeshows and conferences - a business card that stands out can be a valuable asset.

Business card benefits can be seen in a variety of areas. For one, a business card that is creative yet professional and sets the company apart from the crowd can be a valuable tool for lead generation and customer acquisition.

In other words, the more interesting and compelling your business card, the more likely a client is to remember you and your business. This will often lead the recipient to look up more information and even contact the company, all of which will improve lead generation.

Another benefit of well-designed business cards is that they can help with brand building, which is considered an essential - yet often-overlooked - ingredient to an effective marketing campaign and a strong business presence in general.

Business cards that are powerful branding tools must include the company's name and logo, and be creative or useful enough for the recipient to keep it around. The longer a person looks at the business card or has it on hand, the higher the brand exposure. Like the creativity factor, a well-branded card makes it more likely for the recipient to remember your company in particular, and either pursue a business partnership immediately or recall the name when the opportunity arises.

To accomplish these goals, businesses should consider thinking outside the box with their business cards. You can experiment with different kinds of card stock, different sizes, different fonts, and even the inclusion of unique features such as small calendars or notepads, to increase the possibility that the recipient will keep the business card around for their own use.

Above all, it is important to remember professionalism. The benefits of a creative business card will be lost entirely if professionalism is sacrificed or the company's branding becomes inconsistent - this also makes it crucial for businesses to get their cards professionally printed.