By Diana Ratliff
It's gotten way too confusing to order business cards online. How do you choose a business card printer when there seem to be millions of them competing for your business?
Shopping for business card printing online is like shopping for any other product – your goal is to find what you what, for a reasonable price, from a reputable dealer. The problem when buying business cards online is making sure you’re comparing apples to apples, as the saying goes.
Finding the Business Cards You Want
Your first task is to find an online business card printer who carries the type of business card you want. Most online business card printers offer full-color business cards in a standard size (3” by 2.5”), so a simple search for “business cards” or “business card printing” will find those.
You will need to decide whether to use custom artwork for your business card or one of the pre-designed backgrounds or templates offered by many business card printers. Again, many online business card printers allow you to order business cards either way.
Don’t be put off by the idea of using backgrounds that are available to everyone else; odds are slim that any of your direct competitors will find and use the same background. And these are professionally done designs that flat-out make you look good to prospects. (Much better than a homemade business card!)
If you need different cards, such as die-cut business cards or embossed (raised print) business cards, those are also easy to find using your favorite search engine. Many business card printers offer more than one type of card – raised print, one-color or full-color, for example. Some even offer magnetic cards, sticker cards and more.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume you’re looking for full color business cards.
Paying a Reasonable Price for Business Cards
Business cards are the bargain buy of the marketing world, but comparison-shopping for
business cards can be a nightmare. It’s not enough to compare style and price of business cards between printers (say, 1000 full-color cards, printed on one side – 4/0).
Besides the style and price, you also should compare:
the thickness of the card stock (a 14pt card is sturdier than a 10pt card);
whether or not a protective coating is included in the price (and which type - a card can be "glossy" without having the protection of UV coating, and UV coating is generally considered more desirable than aqueous coating);
whether or not there are extra charges, such as a fee to upload your own images;
how many (or how few) business cards you can order at a time;
shipping costs; and, last but not least;
the reputation of the business card printing company.
Finding a Reputable Business Card Printer
Online business card printers who’ve made it to the top of the search engines, and stayed there, are generally okay – but not necessarily.
In fact, one popular, high-ranking business card printer online has such a pattern of complaints that they’ve received an “Unsatisfactory” rating from the Better Business Bureau. (This company’s cards are also of substandard size, although it’s hard to tell unless you directly compare them with another business card.)
So one guideline is to look for a designation such as Better Business Bureau approval or Bizrate certification. If a company has won such a designation, they’ll probably mention it somewhere on their website. Testimonials are another clue – but it isn’t hard to find a dozen happy people out of thousands of customers, so read them with a grain of salt.
Another way to assess a business card printer is to request samples of their business cards – not only will you get to examine actual cards, but you’ll get a feel for their customer service as well.
One Last Complication
Did you know that many, if not most, of the business card printers on the web are dealers for two or three huge wholesale business card printing companies? That's right – you spend all that time shopping for the right business card printer and you probably don’t realize you’re comparing identical cards.
(You usually can’t tell until you reach the section of the website where you actually choose and edit a business card template or background – the URL will change.)
Now there's nothing wrong with these online business card dealers, many of whom add value by educating people about business cards, just as I do, and nothing wrong with the business cards. But knowing that many business card printers online offer the exact same cards should save you some comparison time!
Given the affordability, portability and versatility of business cards, it is certainly worth taking time to shop around for the right business card printer for your business. And now that you understand some of the differences, you’ll make a more informed decision when you next go looking for a business card printer on the Internet.
Author and Business Card Expert Diana Ratliff recently analyzed top-ranked business card printers using the criteria mentioned in the article. Eliminate your confusion by visiting http://www.BusinessCardDesign.com/business-card-printer-reviews.html - you'll be surprised at the results! Grab your free Business Card Printing Discount Code while you're there, too.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diana_Ratliff
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Business Card Options And You
By Matthew Keegan
Do you run a business? Do you have a business card? If not, why not? Today, everyone should carry business cards no matter if they work freelance, work for themselves, are employed by a company, or are a homemaker or retired. A business card is a simple and easy way for you to exchange personal information with a friend, acquaintance, business associate, or neighbor.
Thanks to the internet, you can even design and order your business cards right online. Let’s take a look at what goes into a business card and what you should expect when ordering business cards online.
Yahoo! No, I don’t mean the search engine company, instead the feeling you get when you design and order your business card right online. Here are some things you should know before designing your own business card:
Quick and Easy: Thanks to some lovely templates you can design your card within minutes, place your order, and your finished cards will arrive within a week to ten days. Some companies allow for you to upload your own artwork or a picture. Usually a nominal fee, about five dollars, is assessed, but it is typically a one time fee at that.
Pack It In: Okay, you don’t want to overwhelm people with tons of useless information, but you do need essential contact information on your business card. Things to include: your name, address, telephone number, fax, cell phone, company name, and title. A tag line can be cool too to help people remember who you are.
One Side Or Two: Most people only print up one side, but business cards do have two sides to them. Slap a useful calendar on the back, or some other personal information.
Plain or Glossy: If you want a real attention grabber, select glossy paper to get noticed.
Use Colors: Black on white is okay, but four colors is fabulous! Hey, you want to stand out from the rest, right? Dress up your business cards to really zing!
Quality and Quantity: You already have a nice card, so why order only 500? Order more and pay less per card! Some companies run specials especially if you order 2500 or more. Don’t worry: the next time you head off to a convention you will be depositing your cards left and right.
Once you have settled on a design and submitted your order then relax. When your order arrives, check it out to make certain that all errors were caught with your first proofing. If all is good, consider ordering matching envelopes, paper, magnets, etc. Hey, your business cards look terrific so why not do the same with the rest of your supplies?
Copyright 2006 – For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
Do you run a business? Do you have a business card? If not, why not? Today, everyone should carry business cards no matter if they work freelance, work for themselves, are employed by a company, or are a homemaker or retired. A business card is a simple and easy way for you to exchange personal information with a friend, acquaintance, business associate, or neighbor.
Thanks to the internet, you can even design and order your business cards right online. Let’s take a look at what goes into a business card and what you should expect when ordering business cards online.
Yahoo! No, I don’t mean the search engine company, instead the feeling you get when you design and order your business card right online. Here are some things you should know before designing your own business card:
Quick and Easy: Thanks to some lovely templates you can design your card within minutes, place your order, and your finished cards will arrive within a week to ten days. Some companies allow for you to upload your own artwork or a picture. Usually a nominal fee, about five dollars, is assessed, but it is typically a one time fee at that.
Pack It In: Okay, you don’t want to overwhelm people with tons of useless information, but you do need essential contact information on your business card. Things to include: your name, address, telephone number, fax, cell phone, company name, and title. A tag line can be cool too to help people remember who you are.
One Side Or Two: Most people only print up one side, but business cards do have two sides to them. Slap a useful calendar on the back, or some other personal information.
Plain or Glossy: If you want a real attention grabber, select glossy paper to get noticed.
Use Colors: Black on white is okay, but four colors is fabulous! Hey, you want to stand out from the rest, right? Dress up your business cards to really zing!
Quality and Quantity: You already have a nice card, so why order only 500? Order more and pay less per card! Some companies run specials especially if you order 2500 or more. Don’t worry: the next time you head off to a convention you will be depositing your cards left and right.
Once you have settled on a design and submitted your order then relax. When your order arrives, check it out to make certain that all errors were caught with your first proofing. If all is good, consider ordering matching envelopes, paper, magnets, etc. Hey, your business cards look terrific so why not do the same with the rest of your supplies?
Copyright 2006 – For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
Save Big Money on Your Business Cards
By Matthew Keegan
Less than one generation ago, if you needed a box of full color business cards you would have contacted your local graphic arts printing company, paid for expensive design and set up costs, and received your ordered cards one or two weeks later. If you wanted your order completed quicker, you paid extra for that service too. Thanks to the internet, ordering business cards has gotten a lot easier…a lot cheaper too! You can save money on your next order of business cards; please read on for some tips to help bring big savings to you!
Shop Online. Why go to your local print shop when several of the big online sellers of business cards can do the same job for less and faster too? There are four or five companies who are literally mopping up the business card industry by selling high quality cards right online and at rock bottom prices.
Order Big. The larger your order, the more you save. Customarily, many people only order 250-500 business cards when placing an order. When you order 1000, 2000, or more business cards your cost per card will drop dramatically. An especially smart decision on your part if you regularly attend conventions and are distributing your business cards to everyone.
Use In House Styles. If you aren’t particular on the graphics, the big business card suppliers have a wide and varying selection of ready made styles for your choosing. Save a bundle on graphic artist charges by incorporating their styles into your new cards.
Shop the Specials. In addition to business cards, many online retailers also sell matching business card magnets, envelopes, letterhead, note paper, and more. Place all of your printing orders with a trusted online retailer to receive the best deals and maximum savings.
Yes, your local printing company now has some stiff competition in the form of several top notch online retailers. Your choices for high quality business cards have never been better, resulting in great savings and a terrific product for you!
Copyright 2006 – For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
Less than one generation ago, if you needed a box of full color business cards you would have contacted your local graphic arts printing company, paid for expensive design and set up costs, and received your ordered cards one or two weeks later. If you wanted your order completed quicker, you paid extra for that service too. Thanks to the internet, ordering business cards has gotten a lot easier…a lot cheaper too! You can save money on your next order of business cards; please read on for some tips to help bring big savings to you!
Shop Online. Why go to your local print shop when several of the big online sellers of business cards can do the same job for less and faster too? There are four or five companies who are literally mopping up the business card industry by selling high quality cards right online and at rock bottom prices.
Order Big. The larger your order, the more you save. Customarily, many people only order 250-500 business cards when placing an order. When you order 1000, 2000, or more business cards your cost per card will drop dramatically. An especially smart decision on your part if you regularly attend conventions and are distributing your business cards to everyone.
Use In House Styles. If you aren’t particular on the graphics, the big business card suppliers have a wide and varying selection of ready made styles for your choosing. Save a bundle on graphic artist charges by incorporating their styles into your new cards.
Shop the Specials. In addition to business cards, many online retailers also sell matching business card magnets, envelopes, letterhead, note paper, and more. Place all of your printing orders with a trusted online retailer to receive the best deals and maximum savings.
Yes, your local printing company now has some stiff competition in the form of several top notch online retailers. Your choices for high quality business cards have never been better, resulting in great savings and a terrific product for you!
Copyright 2006 – For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
Does Your Business Card Get Noticed?
By Biba Pedron
Having a professional business card helps to portray your image and make you stand out from the crowd. When you meet somebody, you have less than 10 seconds to make the right first impression, so along with your elevator pitch, make sure that people will remember you.
Your business card is your first marketing tool. But are you using it in the most effective way?
Many small business owners spend hours and hours trying to find the best way of marketing their businesses. But when it comes to their business cards they don’t follow the same rules. Most people just include their basic contact information and don’t realize how this little piece of paper can say a lot about their businesses.
When you place an ad in a newspaper or a magazine, don’t you try to write the most effective text to attract clients so that people call you or buy your products or services? So why not pay the same attention when designing your business card.
Your business card is your first marketing tool. Every time you give it to somebody, it's a chance to communicate something about your business. Your business card is very often the tool which will help people to decide whether they want to work with you or not, since it is an extension of your business. When you meet somebody for the first time they will judge you on your appearance, your clothes, the way you act, the way you speak and your business card. If the whole package looks very professional they will be willing to continue the conversation with you. If it doesn’t look professional they will not waste their time and will find somebody else to work with.
We used to say that we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but unfortunately this is not true. So put all the chances on your side.
Here are the 10 indispensable keys which need to appear on your business card:
First on the front of your card:
1/ Your name – this sound obvious for everybody, but make sure it is easy to find. People have to see your name as soon as they receive your card so they will be able to associate your face with the name on your card. This will help them to remember you.
2/ Your title – if you work for a corporation, your title is always mentioned on the card, so if you are a solo-entrepreneur or a small business owner, it is also very important to mention if you are the founder, the CEO, the president, the marketing manager or other. Again, make it easy for people to remember you and what you do.
3/ The name of your company – even if you are a one person operation in your business, it is very important to have a business name. Using only your name if you are a sole proprietor or if you are an independent representative of a company will give the image of a part time activity and not a business image to your prospects. The same as when you introduce yourself and say, “I am a consultant” vs. “I have a consulting company”, people will not pursue you in the same way. Even if your consulting company is only you, this will not have the same impact.
4/ Your email address - the big No/No in a business card – once again if you want to be considered as a business and have a professional image, don’t use an email with yahoo, aol, or hotmail, etc… but have a professional email with yourname@yourdomainname.com. Today it really doesn’t cost a lot to buy a domain name, so please invest in the $5 to $10 to buy one and use it on your business card.
You can have a yahoo, aol, or hotmail email to sign up for newsletters to avoid spam, but for your business card, this shows a lack of professionalism. Plus it is much easier for people to remember your name and your company name than a strange email with your nick name or number on it.
5/ Your phone number – personally I think that too many phone numbers are confusing and take up too much space. So I recommend that you use your main number, even if it is your cell phone because it is the most convenient way to reach you.
6/ Your website - having a website will help people to learn more about your business later. Your business card can’t say everything, so give them the opportunity to get the information they are looking for. Use your business card to bring traffic to your website.
7/ Your logo – it is as important to have a logo as it is to have a business name for the same reason, because this will give you a professional image. Using a regular white card, with no logo, just your name, phone number and email, will not help people to remember you. Some people put just a clipart on their business card and think this looks like a logo. In people’s minds this is definitely not the same thing. If you are not ready to invest in yourself, how do you expect people to invest in you?
8/ Your tagline – a tagline ensures that people associate your company name with your product or service. That is a short sentence which describes your business’ mission and makes you unique. That is usually the only thing people remember after you have met. So that is why it is important to really choose your words carefully when creating your tagline, in order to hook your audience and be memorable.
Just because you are a solo-entrepreneur or a small business owner, it does not mean that you can’t use the same strategies as the big companies. Make sure you use all the marketing tools which are available to promote your business. This is called ‘branding’. Using an effective logo & tagline are one of the most effective ways to successfully brand your business.
Take a look at most of the business cards that you have collected from people and you will notice how few of them have taglines. So stand out from the crowd, make sure to have the key elements on your card and that they are memorable.
When I work with a client and help him or her redesign their business card, I always encourage them to use the back of their card. Remember what I said earlier, “When you place an ad in a newspaper or a magazine, don’t you try to write the most effective text to attract clients so that people call you or buy your products or services?”
So why are you wasting all of this precious space on the back of your card?
Again, remember that your business card is a marketing tool. Use it to attract potential clients and not only to provide your contact information. Use it to pass on your business message.
On the back of your card – very few people use the back of their cards, so here is an opportunity for you to make a difference.
9/ Describe the benefits of your product/service or the benefits of working with you. Use bullet points to emphasize the purpose of your products and services. Show how you can be a problem solver to others. Encourage people to ask you questions about your business so that they want to learn more and visit your website later.
10/ Tell people what to do next. Don’t assume that people will contact you for more information – tell them what to do. What we call “The call to action.”
Do you want them to: go to your website, sign-up for your newsletter, call you, buy your product? Tell them clearly. Offer them an incentive to make sure that they will take action.
Let’s say you are a coach or a financial advisor, no doubt, you have a lot of competition. What makes you unique and special? When people see your card, they will probably say, “Oh, another one!” But if you mentioned your specialties on your card, it will make a difference immediately.
What's in your Business Card?Take a look at your card now, does it include the key elements to give a professional image to your business? Does your card stand out from the crowd?Does your card give you the results you are expecting?Does your card say what you want it to say? Does your design work with your company image and the rest of your marketing materials? If you have a different design for your business card, your website and your brochure, how do you expect people to take you seriously?
Order professional business cards
Avoid the cards that you print yourself on your printer. It doesn’t cost a lot to print professional business cards, you can order a thousand for $40 to $60 online and it doesn’t cost more to print on both side of your card, but it makes an incredible difference and has a greater impact on people.
Use the same logo and colors as your website, brochure or flyer. Having a consistency on your marketing materials will help people to recognize you where ever they see you. And the more they see you or your logo, the more they will remember you, and the more they will keep in touch with you. Try to always be at the forefront of their minds.
Your business card is an extension of your company just like your logo, letter head, brochures, flyers, website and any marketing tools. They must have the same message and design.
Never leave home without your business cards
Wherever you go—to a networking event, to the dentist, to the movies, to a party, always bring your business cards with you. You never know where you will meet an interesting new contact, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to exchange cards. Writing your telephone number or email address on a piece of paper or a paper napkin definitely doesn’t look very professional.
Biba F. Pédron, also known as The Connection Queen, is a marketing consultant, founder of Biba4Network, which specializes in networking for small business owners. Biba helps entrepreneurs to maximize their networking results so that they can grow their businesses faster.
Biba is the author of “Start Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and Grow Your Own Business”. http://www.startyourdreambusinesstoday.com
For more information or to receive free tips like this one, please visit http://www.biba4Network.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Biba_Pedron
Having a professional business card helps to portray your image and make you stand out from the crowd. When you meet somebody, you have less than 10 seconds to make the right first impression, so along with your elevator pitch, make sure that people will remember you.
Your business card is your first marketing tool. But are you using it in the most effective way?
Many small business owners spend hours and hours trying to find the best way of marketing their businesses. But when it comes to their business cards they don’t follow the same rules. Most people just include their basic contact information and don’t realize how this little piece of paper can say a lot about their businesses.
When you place an ad in a newspaper or a magazine, don’t you try to write the most effective text to attract clients so that people call you or buy your products or services? So why not pay the same attention when designing your business card.
Your business card is your first marketing tool. Every time you give it to somebody, it's a chance to communicate something about your business. Your business card is very often the tool which will help people to decide whether they want to work with you or not, since it is an extension of your business. When you meet somebody for the first time they will judge you on your appearance, your clothes, the way you act, the way you speak and your business card. If the whole package looks very professional they will be willing to continue the conversation with you. If it doesn’t look professional they will not waste their time and will find somebody else to work with.
We used to say that we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but unfortunately this is not true. So put all the chances on your side.
Here are the 10 indispensable keys which need to appear on your business card:
First on the front of your card:
1/ Your name – this sound obvious for everybody, but make sure it is easy to find. People have to see your name as soon as they receive your card so they will be able to associate your face with the name on your card. This will help them to remember you.
2/ Your title – if you work for a corporation, your title is always mentioned on the card, so if you are a solo-entrepreneur or a small business owner, it is also very important to mention if you are the founder, the CEO, the president, the marketing manager or other. Again, make it easy for people to remember you and what you do.
3/ The name of your company – even if you are a one person operation in your business, it is very important to have a business name. Using only your name if you are a sole proprietor or if you are an independent representative of a company will give the image of a part time activity and not a business image to your prospects. The same as when you introduce yourself and say, “I am a consultant” vs. “I have a consulting company”, people will not pursue you in the same way. Even if your consulting company is only you, this will not have the same impact.
4/ Your email address - the big No/No in a business card – once again if you want to be considered as a business and have a professional image, don’t use an email with yahoo, aol, or hotmail, etc… but have a professional email with yourname@yourdomainname.com. Today it really doesn’t cost a lot to buy a domain name, so please invest in the $5 to $10 to buy one and use it on your business card.
You can have a yahoo, aol, or hotmail email to sign up for newsletters to avoid spam, but for your business card, this shows a lack of professionalism. Plus it is much easier for people to remember your name and your company name than a strange email with your nick name or number on it.
5/ Your phone number – personally I think that too many phone numbers are confusing and take up too much space. So I recommend that you use your main number, even if it is your cell phone because it is the most convenient way to reach you.
6/ Your website - having a website will help people to learn more about your business later. Your business card can’t say everything, so give them the opportunity to get the information they are looking for. Use your business card to bring traffic to your website.
7/ Your logo – it is as important to have a logo as it is to have a business name for the same reason, because this will give you a professional image. Using a regular white card, with no logo, just your name, phone number and email, will not help people to remember you. Some people put just a clipart on their business card and think this looks like a logo. In people’s minds this is definitely not the same thing. If you are not ready to invest in yourself, how do you expect people to invest in you?
8/ Your tagline – a tagline ensures that people associate your company name with your product or service. That is a short sentence which describes your business’ mission and makes you unique. That is usually the only thing people remember after you have met. So that is why it is important to really choose your words carefully when creating your tagline, in order to hook your audience and be memorable.
Just because you are a solo-entrepreneur or a small business owner, it does not mean that you can’t use the same strategies as the big companies. Make sure you use all the marketing tools which are available to promote your business. This is called ‘branding’. Using an effective logo & tagline are one of the most effective ways to successfully brand your business.
Take a look at most of the business cards that you have collected from people and you will notice how few of them have taglines. So stand out from the crowd, make sure to have the key elements on your card and that they are memorable.
When I work with a client and help him or her redesign their business card, I always encourage them to use the back of their card. Remember what I said earlier, “When you place an ad in a newspaper or a magazine, don’t you try to write the most effective text to attract clients so that people call you or buy your products or services?”
So why are you wasting all of this precious space on the back of your card?
Again, remember that your business card is a marketing tool. Use it to attract potential clients and not only to provide your contact information. Use it to pass on your business message.
On the back of your card – very few people use the back of their cards, so here is an opportunity for you to make a difference.
9/ Describe the benefits of your product/service or the benefits of working with you. Use bullet points to emphasize the purpose of your products and services. Show how you can be a problem solver to others. Encourage people to ask you questions about your business so that they want to learn more and visit your website later.
10/ Tell people what to do next. Don’t assume that people will contact you for more information – tell them what to do. What we call “The call to action.”
Do you want them to: go to your website, sign-up for your newsletter, call you, buy your product? Tell them clearly. Offer them an incentive to make sure that they will take action.
Let’s say you are a coach or a financial advisor, no doubt, you have a lot of competition. What makes you unique and special? When people see your card, they will probably say, “Oh, another one!” But if you mentioned your specialties on your card, it will make a difference immediately.
What's in your Business Card?Take a look at your card now, does it include the key elements to give a professional image to your business? Does your card stand out from the crowd?Does your card give you the results you are expecting?Does your card say what you want it to say? Does your design work with your company image and the rest of your marketing materials? If you have a different design for your business card, your website and your brochure, how do you expect people to take you seriously?
Order professional business cards
Avoid the cards that you print yourself on your printer. It doesn’t cost a lot to print professional business cards, you can order a thousand for $40 to $60 online and it doesn’t cost more to print on both side of your card, but it makes an incredible difference and has a greater impact on people.
Use the same logo and colors as your website, brochure or flyer. Having a consistency on your marketing materials will help people to recognize you where ever they see you. And the more they see you or your logo, the more they will remember you, and the more they will keep in touch with you. Try to always be at the forefront of their minds.
Your business card is an extension of your company just like your logo, letter head, brochures, flyers, website and any marketing tools. They must have the same message and design.
Never leave home without your business cards
Wherever you go—to a networking event, to the dentist, to the movies, to a party, always bring your business cards with you. You never know where you will meet an interesting new contact, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to exchange cards. Writing your telephone number or email address on a piece of paper or a paper napkin definitely doesn’t look very professional.
Biba F. Pédron, also known as The Connection Queen, is a marketing consultant, founder of Biba4Network, which specializes in networking for small business owners. Biba helps entrepreneurs to maximize their networking results so that they can grow their businesses faster.
Biba is the author of “Start Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and Grow Your Own Business”. http://www.startyourdreambusinesstoday.com
For more information or to receive free tips like this one, please visit http://www.biba4Network.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Biba_Pedron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)