You've Been Booed Sign

Business cards are the ultimate tool for business-marketing. Whenever you go anywhere or have a conversation with anyone - about anything - you may be called at any time ...

"Do you have a card?

Chances are that the answer is "yes." (And if not, it really should be!)

Here's the kicker real though ... just what is your business card say about your business?

Your business card is a mobile sales force for your business. It must communicate everything about you, your company, your products and services at a glance. It should reflect your brand image ... and must do all this even when you're not there to support back-up!

Yes, you can return your card to a potential client at an event or meeting, and they can add their contact record. Or they can pass it to someone else who might they think of your help. It is the audience you need to think about when you set up your business card printing ... a person 's no idea who you are or what you do!

So to help you make the best use of your card and make an effective marketing tool for your business, I created Smarty Pants Top 10 Business Card Boo-Boo is the list. I divided the list into two to keep everything plugged into portions.

Ready?

Boo-Boo # 10. The lack of clarity of phone numbers.

It has been the norm in many urban areas for years, so for them it seems the obvious. But it is only during the last year that we in Alberta have started to use the three-digit area code before our local phone numbers. (Heck, I still remember my aunt and uncle's farm to be on a party line! My age, I know ...)

Do not assume that people "just know" that you live in a certain area code. The give them. You must also assume that your card travel outside your local area - in fact, is what you want. Chuck the old cards that have not the area code and spring for a reprint.

Use contact numbers too is also a fatal error. First, he treads the space - you have limited real estate to work here. Keep a phone number, fax number, e-mail and web site address. If you are in an area where a cell phone is considered necessary - like real estate - then add that too ... but that's it! Adding more than that just makes it harder for customers contact you. And you want to make it easy for them, right?

Boo-Boo # 9. Fonts unreadable.

Misuse of the police is one of my personal bug-a-Boos. The police erred on a map as a flashing neon-sign: "This card is a DIY project!

There is a tendency with young people today in the "Goth" movement to use a large number of fonts Old English ... do not! Same rule applies for the fancy script, and even some scrapbooking or handwritten fonts. You can not read them!

Stick clear sans serif fonts or classical. Remember, the more police, more white space you need around to keep it readable too.

This is another really ... nothing smaller than 8 or 9 points. size, depending on the font used. VERY general rule: Your name in 10 - size 12 pt, while the rest from 8 10 pt. Bowl of use.