Is It Illegal To Put Business Cards On Doors? Top 73 Best Answers

When designing a business card, remember that it has a purpose. A business card needs to make you look good enough to convince strangers you can help them.

People have a lot on their minds during a conversation and it takes them seconds to forget your name. Others get your card through a referral or event without meeting you in person. In both cases, most prospects only contact you when they need your services. That’s why you need to give potential clients a good reason to hold on to your business card.

Business cards have limited space to sell your skills. They also offer many opportunities to make a bad first impression that is difficult to overcome. A weak business card design looks unprofessional and drives away people who might be a good match for your services.

If you want to attract leads, make sure you’re not guilty of these 10 business card mistakes.

1. Lack of obvious contact information

It goes without saying that people need contact information to get in touch with you. An attractive business card might earn you a few compliments, but it still gets thrown in the trash if people can’t figure out how to reach you.

Before worrying about polishing the design, make sure you include the key details:

company name

personal name

Job Title/Specialization

business website

business address

phone number

Email-address

Social Media Handles

Always have a place to send interested clients. People have different communication preferences, so adding multiple channels is your best chance of getting answers.

2. Outdated Information

Would you locate someone who would give you a business card with an out of service phone number? What about crossed out and handwritten information? No one will work hard to fill in the gaps when they can just go to another company.

Do yourself a favor and resist the urge to keep using outdated maps. Business cards are an inexpensive investment with a big impact. Few people want to give money to someone who is not professional enough to invest in cards with the right information.

3. Typos and misprints

Nothing says “I don’t care about my business” more than typos and grammatical errors.

While everyone makes mistakes, customers expect you to be thorough and attentive in business dealings. So triple check every detail before sending your design to print. Use clear images that won’t appear blurry or pixelated in the final design.

4. Small or illegible print

Don’t expect people to walk around with a magnifying glass just so they can read your business card. Tiny fonts are hard on the eyes, so avoid shrinking words to fit more information. A template can help you maximize space on a business card without sacrificing clarity.

Too much creativity is also a curse. Using decorative, unreadable fonts guarantees that no one will ever look at your business card again.

5. No value proposition

A selling point isn’t always obvious from your company name or job title. Customers know exactly why they need a plumber, clothing store, or personal trainer. Most people need a little more convincing to hire a social media specialist or internet researcher.

If you’re solving a more nuanced problem, it’s important to explain how you add value to others. A value proposition or brand promise is your chance to connect with readers.

For many companies, a simplified job description or keyword will suffice. If your work is complex, a tagline or brief synopsis of the services can help readers keep track.

6. Lack of branding

Playing it safe with generic visuals is a surefire way to be forgotten. Customers are more likely to remember a business card with distinctive branding that sets them apart from similar businesses.

Skip stock clipart and instead showcase your logo and brand colors. Make the overall design match the visual appearance of your website, store, or products. Branding your card creates recognition and encourages customers to associate your business with important services.

7. Too much visual clutter

Imagine the frustration of looking at a business card with everything squished together. Multiple fonts compete for attention. Five images are crammed onto a 3.5 x 2 inch card. Negative space is nowhere to be found. Words are overlaid with images, making it difficult to read.

Not only is the visual clutter distracting, but potential customers will assume your store is just as messy. If you create too many focal points, most people will just move on. Get rid of redundant content and use a two-sided business card design to spread information.

8. Rugged Color Schemes

Poor color choices can destroy a decent design for any of the following reasons:

The color scheme is not related to your brand.

The color scheme has connotations that clash with your industry.

The colors create a visual contrast that is uncomfortable to look at.

The color pairings appear cheesy or unprofessional.

The color scheme has too many rich hues fighting each other.

Understand how colors work together on paper and affect the balance of a design. For example, faint fonts on a light background are difficult to read. Putting together a ton of bright colors can also wreak havoc on your eyes.

While your brand colors should be the place to start, it’s wise to make subtle changes when it improves readability. Try adding more negative space to break up a design. Avoid super thin line weights or broken lettering on text.

Another option is to use a simplified version of your logo with fewer colors on a solid color background. The visuals are still recognizable but easier for readers to digest.

9. Odd design proportions

You don’t have to be a professional designer to recognize a great business card. Good designs naturally strike the right balance and lay the foundation for brand recognition. They immediately convey the right message and leave a positive first impression.

Though you may not realize it, subtle shapes and proportions affect your perception. Is a section of text slightly misaligned? Are there any background shapes that break up the design in weird ways? Is the text spacing too close together? Either way, you can tell there’s something wrong with a poorly balanced design, even if you can’t put it into words.

Again, templates are a useful tool to avoid odd design proportions. Most business card design programs have alignment marks to help you maintain a consistent layout. You can also use preview features to see the finished design at a realistic size. Set a focus when you start designing. When secondary elements are most noticeable, the design needs to be retooled.

10. Poor quality paper

Don’t let a bad choice of paper ruin a good design. You might be tempted to opt for glossy paper, but it can be difficult to write on. When you hand out cards at trade shows or networking events, many people like to take notes about your business. Instead, choose a high-quality matte card stock that won’t easily bend or tear.

Business cards are deceptively simple, so rest assured that making one yourself is easy. A tiny card needs to speak volumes about your business and appeal to a variety of customers. Try to take the ego out of the design process and be a merciless editor.

Some business card errors are difficult to see on a computer screen. To get the most out of your investment, work with a company that lets you order samples before committing to a larger quantity.

Get started: try our easy-to-use business card maker today!

“In 1934, Congress enacted a law known as the “mailbox restriction,” forbidding anyone to put mailable items in a mailbox without postage. This law, 18 U.S.C. 1725, gives the postal service a virtual monopoly over mailboxes and currently reads as follows:

“Anyone who knowingly and intentionally places postal items, such as bank statements, circulars, sales invoices or the like, which have not been franked, in a mailbox provided, approved or accepted by the postal service for receipt or to facilitate the delivery of mail by a postal route using the Intent to avoid paying the lawful postage thereon shall be fined for any such offense under this heading.”

According to applicable law, there is a violation of the PO Box Restriction Act

Administrative offense that can be punished with a fine but not with imprisonment. The maximum fine for each offense is $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations.”

Sources):

I suggest going to a local mall or mall and do the old windshield wiper tag which I believe is legal in most places.

30 quick tips for effective business card marketing

If you think business card marketing is all about getting your card out and handing it to someone, you’d be wrong. It takes a little creative thinking to get a much greater return on your investment. Making connections and building relationships is an art form. And you should always think beyond the obvious to stand out.

There are many ways to create new leads for your business cards aside from just keeping them in your wallet. You’ll be amazed how far a few thousand business cards can go when placed in the right place and given to the right people.

Below are quick tips for effective business card marketing. If one doesn’t exactly fit your target audience, think about how you can easily tweak it. Many of these ideas can easily be adapted to any product or service. All you have to do is know your target audience, know your own business and think creatively! We hope this list will inspire you to make the most of your business cards.

Business card marketing tips

1. Ask or pay local restaurants to allow you to place business cards near the checkout counter.

2. Find local businesses related to your product or service and drop cards at the counter.

3. Post some of your business cards on college campus bulletin boards.

4. Create a viral video or photo that includes your business card or create a viral business card design.

5. Pay college students to distribute their cards to various local campuses.

6. Find other public bulletin boards to post your business cards.

7. Place your cards in doorways of local houses.

8. Work with hotels to leave your cards in guests’ hotel rooms.

9. Send your business cards to a targeted mailing list along with other direct mail.

10. Hire people to distribute your cards in high traffic areas like a city.

11. Pass your cards on to family and friends so they can pass them on when the need arises.

12. Network with other local business owners and exchange business cards.

13. Offer people a finder’s fee and give them business cards to give out.

14. Give more than one business card so your recipients can give copies as they see fit.

15. Print business cards as mini Christmas greeting cards.

16. Send out business cards with promo codes that customers must bring to get a discount.

17. Create a street team and give members business cards and other promotional items to give out.

18. If you have an area where people are queuing, such as B. Cash registers, leave a stack of your cards where they can reach it. Existing customers are one of the audiences most likely to search for your other services, and they will be tempted to check out your card.

19. If you need to jot down a note to give to someone, use your business card.

20. Get taxi drivers and companies to put a small holder with your business cards on their cab’s partition window or on the seats.

21. Attach a business card to every invoice or estimate you send out.

22. Many neighborhoods have welcome trucks to welcome new residents. See if you can add business cards for your service.

23. Apartment buildings often give new tenants welcome sheets with a list of recommended services. Sign up for this list and print out cards to give away.

24. Upload your business card design to online design galleries like CardObserver.

25. Post your business card design on classifieds like craigslist.org.

26. Make sure everyone who works for you has standard or personalized business cards. Personal cards can boost employee morale.

27. Give away a business card with every product you ship.

28. Attend, network and hand out your cards at community events.

29. Reach out to malls and work out a deal so they can leave business cards on car windshields. However, check your city and state laws if it’s illegal in your area.

30. Work with real estate agents and agencies to get your business cards in front of new home buyers.

I hope you got some great ideas from our list of business card marketing tips. When you’re ready to start your marketing campaign, we’d love to work with you. Here at NextDayFlyers we offer an amazing business card printing service, lightning fast shipping and affordable prices.

Have you thought of more creative business card marketing tips? Please post them in the comments below so we can expand this list.

Printing flyers is a proven way to promote your business, event, or nonprofit. Distribution is the key to flyer marketing success: the more places you put your flyers up, the more people you can reach. Of course, you want to stay on the right side of the law, so read on to learn where you can legally hang flyers.

Can you hang flyers on public land?

In most cases, freedom of speech grants you the right to post flyers in public parks, on bulletin boards, utility poles, and other public property. You can also hand out flyers right on the sidewalk to passers-by, as long as you don’t harass them or block their path.

However, that doesn’t mean you can hang flyers anywhere without legally getting in hot water. Other laws, such as those banning trash and inflammatory content, could make posting flyers illegal in some public areas.

For example, anti-litter laws could make it illegal to post flyers on utility poles. If you hang your flyers with staples, you could even be prosecuted for damaging public property.

Granted, there’s a difference between what’s technically illegal and what the authorities enforce – but you should still strive to comply with local ordinances. The last thing you want is for your company to be publicly denounced in newspapers and social media for breaking the law.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to make sure your flyer posting is legal: just ask your local government. They can tell you where you can legally post flyers – and where you can’t. In some areas, you may need to pay for a license or permit to legally distribute flyers on public property.

Flyer for pixel party in Brooklyn, New York

Can you post flyers on private property?

In general, laws prohibit the distribution of flyers on private property without the owner’s permission. This isn’t a big deal since it’s a good idea to get permission before handing out your flyers anyway.

It’s a simple question whether you can post flyers in business lobbies, grocery store bulletin boards, retail countertops, windows and doors, and other private property. Many business owners are happy to have you hang your flyers, especially if you’re offering to return the favor.

Note that you cannot legally place flyers in mailboxes that are off or on private property. However, you can stick flyers in door slots or post them to homeowners’ doors — although door hangers and direct mailers might be better options.

Again, all you have to do is ask permission. If granted, it’s a good idea to get it in writing. This way you can avoid potential legal problems (including trespassing) if there are misunderstandings between private owners.

Club Card Flyer Design by Tim Northon for Corbett’s House of Horror

Can you put flyers under car windshield wipers?

Is it legal to put flyers on cars? That depends on the situation.

If you own the lot, it’s probably legal to place flyers under car windshield wipers unless a local ordinance otherwise prohibits it. The same applies to cars parked along streets and in public parking lots.

If you want to put flyers on cars in mall or grocery store parking lots, you must get permission from the property owner. Expect to be turned down unless you represent a charity or non-profit organization, for which exemptions are often granted. Businesses don’t usually want to risk upsetting their customers. Have you ever noticed the “No Advertising” and “No Handbill” signs in private parking lots? These are aimed at flyer distributors.

What about event flyers? If you own the property, you can probably put flyers on cars. If you don’t do this, be sure to get permission from the venue owner. Cars parked in private residential driveways are taboo.

Club card flyer design by R.Black for SF IndieFest’s Roller Disco

If you decide to attach flyers to cars, always carefully place them under windshield wipers and never use tape, glue or any other material to attach them to vehicles. You don’t want to damage cars and end up being fined or sued for damaging private property.

The bottom line? Always check local laws with the authorities and get permission – in writing – from private property owners before distributing your flyers. It’s the only way to be sure you’re staying within the law, and it’s the best way to ensure your investment in flyer marketing isn’t wasted.

Are you ready to boost business with a successful flyer marketing campaign? Maximize your ROI with discount flyer printing today!

Whether you’ve enlisted the design services of professionals like the design team at 5 Star Marketing & Distribution, or you’ve designed and printed your own flyers for your upcoming summer event, your message won’t be seen unless you present and distribute it effectively these flyers. Here are some ideas for places to display and distribute your flyers, as well as some things to avoid to avoid wasting your time and resources or – worse – facing negative legal consequences.

Here are some ideas for places to hand out your flyers. Keep in mind that not all of these locations will work for your audience or event, so keep your goals in mind when choosing the posting locations that work best for you:

Hand out your flyers

Direct mail flyer marketing

If you own or run a retail business, place flyers in customers’ grocery bags, hand them out at the counter, or display them on the counter

Include flyers with invoices and invoices that you send to your customers

Include flyers in packages you send to your customers

Include flyers in pocket folders to hand out to clients with informational material in B2B meetings and presentations

Hand out flyers about future events at other events

Set up a booth at trade shows, concerts, community races, street sales, and other community events and give your flyers to people who stop at your booth

Put flyers on cars in parking lots

Hand out your flyers from house to house

Publish your flyers

There are many ways to hang your event flyers in your community. Here are just a few of them:

power poles

Chambers of Commerce

Bus stops, subways and train stations

Doing business with community bulletin boards, e.g. B. Grocery stores and convenience stores

community centers and senior centers

Community, Visitor and Tourism Offices, including Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Centers

Public toilets and bulletin boards outside of them

Day care centers and schools with community bulletin boards

Bulletin boards for colleges and universities

Anterooms in cafes, restaurants and bards

gyms

libraries

churches

banks

Avoid posting your flyers in a rude and/or illegal way

While there are many places that are great for displaying and distributing your flyers, there are some places where it is illegal to post them. It is illegal to place flyers in mailboxes and newspaper boxes. In order for your flyers to land legally in mailboxes, you must pay for the postage and ship them via USPS. Additionally, some municipalities have ordinances against door-to-door advertising, in which case you can’t go door-to-door handing out your flyers. Other municipalities and private businesses have ordinances against posting flyers in parking lots (particularly on vehicles) and utility poles. In other cases, such as For example, in private businesses, distributing flyers may not be illegal, but the business owners and/or managers may throw away your flyers if they don’t get specific permission to distribute them. It would be a waste of the valuable resources you’ve expended designing, printing, and mailing your flyers.

Another thing to keep in mind when posting and placing your flyers is that spots in brochure and shelf card holders and visitor information centers – like those in the 5 Star Distribution Program – are intended for businesses that are paying to participate in an established distribution have program. If you put your flyers or other printed marketing material on these shelves, they will be removed. The moral of the story is always to ask the manager, business owner, or even the receptionist before displaying your flyer at any business or nonprofit organization.

Paper business cards are dead.

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Business cards have been around for centuries, but paper business cards have no place in a post-coronavirus world. Paper business cards are becoming increasingly obsolete, from spreading germs to the inaccessibility of always being personal.

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What has replaced business cards?

Human interactions are everything, and being able to meet and connect with new people is how we grow our personal and professional relationships. Business cards are the quickest and easiest way to share information, especially when you’re on the go. While paper business cards may be dead, they paved the way for something new: digital business cards.

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What are digital business cards?

Digital business cards are the electronic version of a paper business card. Some digital business card apps allow you to create and customize your cards and are often free to use. Digital business cards are easier to access and share than traditional paper cards and will soon become the go-to place for exchanging contact information.

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If you want to try digital maps, we recommend HiHello. HiHello is the #1 business card app for individuals and teams, offering a free app and premium digital business card subscriptions. HiHello also includes several other networking features, such as downloadable QR codes, email signatures, and virtual backgrounds for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.

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Why do I need a digital business card?

From sustainability to cost savings, there are several reasons why digital business cards are rapidly replacing paper cards. Unconvinced? Here are the top seven reasons why digital business cards are the future of networking.

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1. Digital business cards are sterile.

For many people, the pandemic has exposed their inner germ phobia. Digital maps are completely non-contact; No physical replacement is required. Exchanging digital business cards with someone reduces the germ load. (Better yet, you don’t have to be near anyone to share digital business cards.)

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2. You can share digital maps with anyone, anywhere.

Previously, business card exchanges required you to be physically present to share and receive cards. HiHello – the top rated business card app – offers a seamless way to share contact information with anyone from a safe distance. With HiHello you can create and send your digital card for free, even if that person doesn’t have the app. (You can even share your business card via a Zoom call!)

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3. Digital business cards are always up to date.

Every time you change jobs, get a promotion, or change your email address, you need to order new business cards.

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save the money

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Often, digital business cards are free, and you can update your card on the go by digitizing. You can also add richer information to your digital map than you can with a paper map. Add a video, your social media profiles, birthdays, anniversaries and more – your cards are fully customizable and can be edited at any time.

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4. Digital maps are better for the planet.

Did you know that over seven million trees are cut down for paper business cards each year? And since 90% of paper business cards are thrown away immediately, that’s a lot of wasted paper. Digital maps produce no waste and reduce your carbon footprint.

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5. You can use your digital business card app to scan paper cards.

On the off chance that someone tries to give you a paper card, you don’t necessarily have to refuse it. Some business card apps double as business card scanners, so politely ask the person to hold up their card and then scan it with your phone.

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While AI is great, it’s not foolproof. If you need a 100% accurate business card scanner, check out HiHello. Unlike other scanner apps, HiHello has a team of human verifiers to ensure the information is correctly transcribed before adding it to your contacts.

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6. HiHello digital business cards have powerful network functions.

Digital business cards can do more than paper cards ever could. With a free HiHello digital business card subscription, you can use your card to create professional email signatures and create virtual backgrounds for Zoom. You can also download your card’s QR code and print it on marketing or sales materials.

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7. Digital business cards are perfect for teams of all sizes.

Digital business cards make it easy to order new paper business cards every time an employee joins your team or a person’s information changes. HiHello Business is a tool for groups of five people or more, with which you can create, manage and distribute digital business cards for your entire team in one place.

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What do you think – are business cards dead? Let us know!

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This article contains changes and first appeared on the HiHello blog on June 8, 2020.

Think of all the products and services you use today that didn’t exist ten years ago. In the past decade, we’ve seen the rise of Uber, the invention of the iPad, and the emergence of personal assistants like Alexa. With the pace of innovation, the question arises as to whether certain products and services are obsolete and should be a thing of the past. One product that has been questioned is business cards, a product with centuries of history.

Are business cards still relevant in 2021? After all, today we have so many different ways of exchanging information than we did 20 years ago. However, we find that business cards are just as relevant in 2021 as they have been in the past. Let me explain why business cards are still important.

Business cards are the perfect legacy

Imagine you just had a meeting with a potential new client and it went really well. However, they chose not to leave them a business card. Even if the meeting went great and you may have exchanged contact information, it’s possible that your prospect will quickly leave the meeting. With our busy lives and overcrowded inboxes, it’s easy for things to get lost or forgotten.

However, if you gave them a business card, that customer may be more likely to remember to follow up with you. There is value in giving clients something tangible to remember and a business card is a perfect leaving to remind them of you and provide a secure foundation for future business. Plus, it ensures that they always have your contact details at hand.

Business cards double as marketing tools

Marketing your business is not easy and can get quite expensive. However, your business cards are an excellent marketing tool at a great price. While you might see business cards as just a way to make a good first impression or provide contact information, they can be so much more. Business card designs have come a long way. Gone are the days of flimsy paper maps that all look the same. Now you have more business card design options than ever before.

Think of your business card as another way to market your business. When you think about them that way, the value proposition seems even better than before. When it comes to using your business cards as a marketing tool, design is an important attribute. A good business card design conveys all the important information your customers need to know, catches the eye, and makes your brand stand out.

Also, we’ve seen many businesses get very creative and customize their business cards to serve as appointment cards, promotional cards, discount cards, and more. The sky is the limit with business cards and we’re always here to help you brainstorm how to take your business card to the next level.

Business cards can give you a professional image

You know the saying, don’t judge a book by its cover? Unfortunately, while it’s a nice feeling, many don’t take it to heart. Sometimes in business, appearances matter. There’s a reason many salespeople dress professionally or real estate agents often drive a nice car; A successful and professional demeanor can help you build trust with your customers. Business cards are another way to show clients that you’re a business professional and that they can trust you with their business.

The same philosophy applies to business cards. One study found that 72% of people judge a business by the quality of its business cards. Think of your business card as a reflection of your company – a way to showcase your business and build trust with your customers. With the right design and structure, you create a first impression that your customers will not forget. One that shows you will do whatever it takes to take care of their needs.

Business card innovation

As previously mentioned, we are in a period of mass innovation and we have also seen innovation in the business card space. At Plastic Printers, we print business cards on plastic, giving you more design options such as custom shapes, see-through cards, metallic elements, embossing and more. Today’s business cards can be as unique as your business and help you stand out from your competition.

Business card innovation doesn’t stop there, however. The latest business card innovation features Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. With NFC business cards, you can transfer important information directly to your customers’ smartphones with a quick tap. Whether you want to transmit your contact information, social media, website, or even directions to your business, NFC business cards can do it all.

Today’s business cards are much more sophisticated and relevant to today’s consumers. By taking advantage of the latest advances in business cards, you can actually impress your customers, differentiate your business, and get your information across to customers in a way that suits them best.

While many products are becoming less relevant, business cards are still going strong. If you want innovative business cards that can differentiate your business, you’ve come to the right place at Plastic Printers. If you have a question about how business cards can help your business, or if you’re ready to start creating your own custom business cards, please contact us. we are always happy to help!

The importance of carrying a business card

By Karen Preston-Loeb

Technology has transformed business communications from email to the Internet. While written communication is often paperless, one document remains printed: the business card. And while it may seem more beneficial to ping information between colleagues, it remains important to always carry a business card with you.

Here are some reasons why business cards are effective business tools:

BRAND IDENTITY MARKETING

The business card represents your company’s brand. Not only does it convey important personal contact information such as name, title, email, website, address and phone number, but it is often the first glimpse of the bigger picture of the business. The company logo is prominently displayed for brand identity. The fonts, colors, textures, and types of paper used also convey a statement about the nature of the industry represented. Special printing techniques such as embossing, foil stamping, thermography or lamination can be used. The business card reflects the personality of the company and gives the first impression.

PROVIDES PROFESSIONALISM AND PREPARATION

picture is everything. Having a business card handy gives the impression of professionalism and shows proper planning. Being surprised without a business card leaves an ill-prepared impression. Always carry a stack of business cards protected by a card case and you will convey a polished quality.

TO TRANSMIT FASTER THAN DIGITAL INFORMATION

There are numerous apps for smartphones to transmit contact data wirelessly; However, the fastest and easiest way to exchange data remains the paper business card. Multiple business cards can be handed out in seconds at a networking event instead of entering data. In the fast-paced world of work, time counts and nothing beats the quick handing over of a business card.

SOME CUSTOMERS DO NOT OWN DEVICES

Don’t rely on smartphones to transfer contact information, as some people don’t have digital devices or aren’t tech-savvy. While the majority of our population owns a personal electronic device, some prefer not to rely on theirs. And even if both parties use digital devices, the applications may not be compatible. Exchange business cards and you can always send an email containing your digital contact card.

ESSENTIAL IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

With the rise of global job opportunities, it is becoming more and more common to do business abroad. In some cultures, business cards are not only necessary in international business, but are also used ceremonially. In most Asian countries, the business card is treated with respect. It is often presented with two hands, never thrown, and upon receipt should be properly placed in a holder – never pushed into a pocket. In Japan, the exchange of business cards is a ritual and considered a formal introduction to a person. Business cannot begin until business cards are exchanged, as this marks the beginning of a relationship. In India, business cards are also exchanged in non-business situations and are always presented openly with the text facing the recipient. In the Middle East, the protocol varies by country. For example, in Bahrain, never exchange business cards with your left hand and examine the business card you receive carefully before putting it away.

The printed business card still dominates. In any case, whether at a networking event or in a coffee shop, an opportunity for a business connection can arise. Not having a business card handy could result in losing potential clients. Exchanging business cards provides an opportunity for follow-up and provides a foot in the door for a business transaction. It also allows for a face-to-face encounter between two parties, a crucial element in building a business relationship.

Should I put my photo on my business card?

As you update your business cards, you may be thinking about whether or not you should put your photo on them.

And my answer is yes – if you’re a one-man-woman business and you work with your clients. Once you have a business that employs multiple people, putting your photo on your business card is no longer beneficial as you may not be the only one working directly with your clients and it could potentially mislead them.

If you are a one man women business, do you have an updated portrait/portrait of yourself that you can proudly display on your business card? Otherwise, skip the photo on your business card. Why? Because first impressions are everything and you want to make the best first impression! Putting a mobile phone photo that was taken five years ago in a dark living room on a business card looks unprofessional. Therefore, you are better off without a photo.

If the above applies to you, here are the top three reasons why you should place your photo on your business card:

1) It will make it easier for people to remember who you are. How many times have you come home from a networking event with a bunch of business cards and forgotten who each one is? It happened to me! But having your photo on your business card will help people remember who you are and put a face to your name. They are more likely to get in touch with you as well.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Knowing which business card details to add and which to leave out will help create a card that is both eye-catching and balanced. When designed properly, your business card will remind people of your first meeting and encourage those interested in your products or services to get back in touch or to visit your website for more information.

A business card is a proven marketing tool, whether you’re starting a side hustle or expanding your brick-and-mortar business. It’s often the first interaction a customer has with your brand, so it should not only positively reflect your business, but also contain relevant information. That’s why the first question that comes to mind is “what goes on a business card” when thinking about creating one.

Here we cover everything you need to know about what to put on a business card.

Logo Company name Slogan Your name and title Contact details Your address – online or physical Social media handles A QR code

1.Logo

Your logo is a visual representation of what your company does and what you stand for. It should embody your business and be a keepsake for your customers to remember you. Having a logo makes your business feel credible, professional, and trustworthy.

Your logo should be proudly displayed on the front of your business card. Use a high quality 300 dpi (dots per inch) image to ensure the edges appear sharp when printed. Try not to add text too close to the logo or scale it too big – and remember to let it breathe with some white space. If your logo looks cramped on your business card design, scale it down a bit and increase the white space around it.

2. Company Name

While your logo is the key component of your brand identity, you should also use your company name on your business cards. And give it plenty of space—your name is what people are most likely to remember, so it’s an important business card detail. In general, your business name should be the largest piece of text on your card. Make sure you spell your company’s full name so people know straight away what your company is about. Think: Luna Salon instead of just Luna or Complete Financial Solutions instead of CFS.

3. Slogan

Do you have a slogan or slogan for your small business? Include it on your business card! If you don’t have an official tagline, create one by summarizing your offer in a few words – this can be especially helpful if your name isn’t particularly self-explanatory. For example, Stratton Design uses the slogan “Website Design & Hosting” on their business cards to clearly communicate what they specialize in. These few words are professional, honest and focused on their core service.

4. Your name and title

Make a personal connection to your business by adding your full name and job title to your business card. Including your title serves as a great memory jogger, since not everyone is good with names and some people are more likely to remember you for your area of ​​expertise, it’s important that you include business card information. You can also add a portrait photo if it seems relevant to your industry – a photo is a great way to show the person behind the company, especially if you work in a customer-facing position. Photo Business Cards are ideal for professionals such as real estate agents, photographers and caretakers.

5. Contact Information

The contact information on your business card should include your email address and phone number, this is key information for a business card – this is how most people will contact you. Align your contact information left, right, or center on your card and choose an easy-to-read font—and if you prefer one of these communication methods to the others, emphasize it with a larger size or prominent placement.

6. Your address – online or physical

Make sure to include your website URL – you can omit the http:// as it’s not required and takes up space. Remember, it’s important that your business card and website design is consistent. When a prospect visits your website after seeing the URL on your business card, the experience should be cohesive, from the choice of font to the color scheme. If you operate from a stationary location, adding your address is vital to increase foot traffic. Do you run your business completely virtual? You don’t need to include a mailing address if you don’t expect foot traffic – omit it to save space.

VistaPrint tip

Megan Morahan, creative director at VistaPrint, says that when adding text to your business card, less is more. “It should be easily digestible for anyone who receives it. The less information you put there, the better.”

7. Social Media Handles

If you are active on social media, include your social media names on your business card along with recognizable social media icons. Whether you’re an avid TikTok user or prefer Instagram, this is a great way to let customers know where to find you and gain new followers.

8. A QR code

No more space on your business card? Consider adding a QR code so customers can quickly find additional information about your hours of operation, special promotions, or small business history. This is something that can go on the back of your business card as it is additional information.

Practical printing information

Are you ready to print your new business cards? Keep this information in mind.

bloodline. The outermost edges of the document are called bleed lines. To prevent an unwanted white border from appearing at the edge of your document, make sure any background colors or design elements extend to the edge.

safety line. The safety lines are boundaries that are within the area where the cut will take place. Keep any necessary information such as names, addresses, phone numbers or logos within the security line to ensure it does not get cut off.

trim range. Due to the mechanical tolerances involved in printing, the actual cut can be anywhere between the trim line and the safety line. Because of this, it’s important to keep your text and important images within the safety line and outside the trimming area.

To make sure your card clearly communicates everything you want, ask someone to look at it before you commit to printing it.

You could ask them the following:

What do you see first?

Is it clear which products/services I offer?

How would you contact me?

Is the text easy to read?

Do the logo and text have enough contrast to the background?

If they answer “Yes!” to everything, you’re ready to print.

VistaPrint tip

Long gone are the days when you would hoard your book full of business cards. I mean, people still do, but there really are better ways to organize business cards. The best and most convenient way to store business cards in modern times is to scan them with your phone.

There are many business card scanning apps out there and some are even free. Most of them will scan your business card and automatically convert it to digital format. That means you can save them as contacts right on your phone. You can also view the original business card by looking at the image of the scanned card. The popular apps also allow you to export contacts to Outlook, Salesforce, and many other platforms.

This is by far the best and most convenient way to store and organize business cards. If the business card has a vCard QR code on it, even better. You can just scan the QR code to automatically import the contact to your phone.

12 easy steps to turn your business card into a successful offline marketing strategy that integrates online marketing

At Smart Insights, we focus on digital marketing channels and how we can help our members plan, manage and optimize their marketing strategies. However, we also look at the implications of offline and online marketing integration to create a holistic strategy that leads to business success. Our lifecycle marketing model shows the integration of offline and online marketing via the RACE planning framework.

Do you think a lot about how your business cards are going to affect people before handing them out? You’re probably just placing an order for a standardized one at your local office supply store. What you may not realize is that you are sitting on what is potentially the most powerful weapon in your marketing arsenal.

Maybe it’s time you started looking at your business cards as a marketing tool, and not just a way to share your contact information. Here are 5 ways to turn your business card into your best marketing tool before sending it out for business card printing.

1. Add testimonials

Potential customers are always interested in hearing what your past customers have to say about your product or service through testimonials. Testimonials are included on branded websites to increase credibility and reliability. So why not include some on your business card? One or two of the best testimonials received on the back of your business card will speak volumes about your brand and recipients won’t have to go online to verify your credibility.

2. Make your cards multifunctional

The end goal of making your business cards multifunctional is to get recipients to interact with them more often than they would with a typical business card. The more intense the interaction, the more memorable your brand will be.

Multifunctional business card ideas include a bookmark, a sticker to stick in their car or on their desk, a note card to write something they need to remember, and so on. Make sure your card can be used in more than one way, otherwise you risk looking at it once and either losing it or throwing it away.

3. Provide links for online marketing

Is your brand present online? Your business card can be the best tool to link your offline marketing efforts to your online initiatives. If you have a website, provide a link. Links to your social media pages are also important. Most of the people who get your cards are on social media, and social media is arguably the best lead generation tool.

4. Put your face on your map

Can you remember all the faces behind the business cards on your desk? It’s difficult to put faces on business cards long after you’ve met them. The same goes for them putting your face on your cards. How about putting a photo of yourself on your cards? Your potential customers will remember you and feel familiar with your brand many months after your brief interaction. This can give you an advantage over your competitors whose cards are not recognizable.

5. Mention a cause you support

Informing people about the causes you support can be beneficial for your business. For example, your brand can have an immediate impact on a potential customer because they are passionate about the cause you support. It also gives people an insight into what drives you and what you and your company stand for. Examples of causes that resonate with your target audience are charitable causes and environmental protection, especially against climate change.

6. Give recipients a challenge

Everyone likes to put themselves to the test, and surprising the recipient with something that gets them excited can go a long way. Be creative with this, but relate it to your company. It could be a tricky question or a fun fact that will amuse her.

7. Enter special offers

Your business card is likely to have a greater impact when accompanied by a special offer. You could offer a free gift or coupon for products on your website. Although costly, it will make recipients hold you and your brand in high regard.

8. Monitor your business card

Track the conversion rate of your business card. You can do this by sticking SKU or QR code on it. And when you hand out the cards, promise the recipients impressive discounts or coupons for visiting your company website. This technique can give you a benchmark to improve things. For example, if the business card doesn’t convert as you want, you can use a different strategy.

9. Increase the recognition value of your business card with a beautiful design

Use design to curate a business card that beats the competition. You don’t have to pay a web designer to create a beautiful business card design for you. There are free websites that offer beautiful templates for making business cards. All you have to do is choose the style, color and size of the font. However, if you don’t want to spend time doing it yourself, you can come up with a good web design for a really cheap price.

10. Keep your business card simple

The main reason for creating business cards is to get potential customers to contact you. That’s why you need to pay more attention to the information that makes it possible. A long time ago, information such as fax number, address and company name were the main components of a business card.

There is a small shift these days. Business cards give you the freedom to personalize them. Therefore, you may include information such as your name, title, company name, email address, phone number, and website URL on the front of your business card. Prospects can find more information like fax, landline numbers, and address by checking your URL.

11. Add your social media handles

According to Isentia, social media is undoubtedly a valuable marketing tool today. It is therefore advisable that you include your social media addresses such as Twitter and Facebook so that potential customers can follow you there. Prospects can get a lot more information about your business on your social media pages. Together with your business card and your online marketing channels, potential customers can take a much broader view of you and your company.

12. Use quality material to create your business card

Although the information you include on your business card is the most important for generating leads and customers, it’s also important to think about the physical nature of the business card.

Many businessmen try to save costs by using low-quality materials for the production of business cards. It will only ruin your company’s reputation. A large percentage of mediocre quality business cards end up in the trash can. Prospects will also judge you by the quality of the business cards you give out. They will come to the conclusion that if you hand out poor quality business cards, your products and services will be no different.

These tips show that small changes to a typical business card can turn it into a powerful marketing tool. The key to unlocking this untapped potential is using your cards to accomplish two things. First, foster deeper connections between recipients and your brand. Second, make yourself and your brand unforgettable.