Business Cards: First Impressions Are Important
by Brian S. Konradt of BSK Communications and Associates
Your business card is as
important as any of your other promotional material that
is used to sell your services, promote your image and
make a lasting impression on a prospect. Avoid the
pitfall of putting little effort and planning into your
business card.
Your business card — as well as your promotional
material — should reflect the quality, professionalism
and creativity of your writing business. Remember: first
impressions are important, especially if you're
networking. As soon as you exchange business cards with
a prospect, he will be looking at your business card —
judging it.
It's better to create a business card that is original,
colorful and creative — one that the prospect will
remember — than a business card that looks the same as
any other business card. Here are some guidelines to
follow before you invest in business cards:
• Avoid business cards that you can custom print out of
your printer. These types of business cards feel cheap —
and look it. You'll probably save some pocket change on
the custom print business cards, but they'll also cause
you to lose business.
• Use at least two colors in your business card or use
black ink on a colored paper or colored ink on a white
paper. The basic and most popular business card is
printed with black ink on white paper. Avoid buying
business cards that look like everybody else's. Make
your business cards stand out, whether it be with a
different color, a unique design, or with different
fonts.
• Your business card is like a mini-billboard of
advertisement. Besides including the particulars (your
name and address, etc.), also add a selling point, such
as "Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!" or "FREE
Consultation — Call Me Any Time!" or "I work within your
budget and I'm deadline-friendly!" Another tip is to add
a testimonial from a past client who has been satisfied
with your services.
• You should include a title after your name. What is
your title? Communications Consultant? Copywriter?
Marketing Specialist? PR Pro? Sr. Account Executive? You
should avoid using Freelance Writer as your title if
you're a commercial freelance writer — according to some
writers, using this title is not as professional or
worthy as using the other titles.
• Consider printing information on the back of your
business card or on the inside if the business card
opens up. You can include additional information such as
what writing services you offer and which clients you've
assisted in the past.
You can get some creative ideas on business cards by
visiting your local printer. Your printer will have a
giant portfolio of business cards that you can choose
and pick through. Remember that your business card
should match your letterhead and other business
stationary.
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