|
|
With the many choices of communication today, the most common, currently, historically, and in the future, will be face to face voice interaction. When you part from your conversation, there is only one way to leave a lasting impression of yourself: a business card. A business card can display a variety of information in a very brief manner. It should not be a short story, as one may get turned off, or confused when there is too much content.
Here are the most common focus areas of any business card:
1) Company Name – Depending on your market, a company name can play a critical role. If you are an independent consultant for example, you have more chance of contracting projects if you have a company name such as JMS Consultants, or JMS & Associates verses just Jim Smith in bold print with a title of Consultant below it. A tag line(3-4 words: Strategic Marketing Solutions or Solarglass Window Panels) is also commonly used below a company name to give a very brief business description.
2) Personal name and position you hold – Make sure and use any designations that would work to your advantage; CPA, M.D., Ph.D., D.C., etc… Titles should be simplified, as various markets understand titles differently. Of course there will be exceptions when you are concentrating on a specific clientele.
3) Contact Information – Your address is one of those gray areas, as quite often many businesses are run out of ones home and they don’t want their personal information disclosed. In some instances this can be used against you. It’s all based on who and what your markets are and how they might react. Some become skeptical, and others just want their request completed. You must research this thoroughly and make a judgment call. Phone, fax, email, and web address are imperative as these are the most often looked at lines on a business card. Some like to break out one source of communication they feel is, or will be most commonly used.
4) Identity Image, or Logo – Many companies today are known just as much by their logos as they are their name. If you are looking for long-term identity, your image should be created so it can be changed in the future but still retain its original look and feel. Use Apple Computer as an example; They originally had a silhouette of an apple in a rainbow of colors, and recently changed only the color scheme, but not the shape. A new fresh look is good and reflects that you are keeping updated. Constantly changing the complete look and feel of your logo could cause skepticism.
