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Atricle Dump - How To Avoid 5 Critical Business Card Mistakes, And Have A Card That Means Business!
Most everyone spends a good portion of their days putting their hand to something that will generate the resources they have decided they need, to live the life they have decided they want.What puzzles me though, is why so many people pick something to put their hand to that leaves them feeling empty inside.It is really the state of things that we all must grit our teeth and go to work? It is really the state of things that we die a little each morning only to be jolted back alive when we leave the office?I know a man who is a very senior investment advisor.-He hates it.-He makes an above average amount of money.-He keeps doing it.<
Yet, there are still some people out there who fire up the inkjet and whip up a batch of homebrew cards on that perforated cardstock. (I've settled upon "Perfs" as an unflattering name for these offenders)
The end result is best summed up as amateurish. The printing is faded and, after a dozen pages, starts to streak. The edges are fuzzy from being torn, and the paper
When the time for employee performance evaluation comes around, it spells of a lot of work and stress. Many evaluations have to be prepared and more stressful is the part when your team member argues on what you have documented.There is an effective and easy way to do this if you can plan your activities towards this exercise. It will normally stretch over a period of a year or the duration of a project.1. Do Performance Planning At The BeginningAt the beginning of the year or the project period, prepare a performance plan. List the various areas that the employee will work on and what are the expected results.This will include both objective and sub
1. The Technicolor Dreamcard
When it comes time to print a business card, you'll find there's very little reason not to make use of a full-color printing process. That means every color of the rainbow can be captured on your business card. But, please, oh please, don't be tempted.
A good design uses a limited color palette (or color scheme) most commonly focusing on just two colors. It's not unusual to use a third accent color. However, any more than that and you're approaching the danger zone.
Avoid having your card looking like a fruit-cocktail explosion by focusing on a few key colors. Suit them to your business. Choosing warm, low-key colors creates a "sense of home" for a real estate company, while bright, energetic colors better suit an adventure travel agency.
"Full color printing" is not an invitation to get your money's worth!
2. The Ransom Note
When your computer comes with hundreds of wild and crazy fonts, it can be tempting to have some wild and crazy fun when writing up your business card. It ends up looking like a ransom note, with a different font for each word.
Similar to limiting your colors, you should use restraint when choosing fonts, or typefaces, for your card. Follow the basic rule of using one font for key elements, like headlines or your name, and another font for the detailed information.
If you do use more than one font, it's usually best to use two that share similar properties. Serif is a term that refers to the small lines at the end of some letters. The most common serif font is Time New Roman. Compare THIS with THAT and you'll see the extra little bits. Moving on... a good rule of thumb is to stick with either serif fonts, or sans-serif fonts for one design. Try not to mix and match.
Keep things simple. The more simple it is, the less chance for ugly mistakes!
3. Tear Along The Dotted Line
Since the internet came along, it's tough to be in the printing business. Prices have plummeted thanks to increased competition. I can get business cards delivered from Taiwan cheaper than I can get them down the block. (That's a fact... I've done it! ) There is no excuse not to have your business cards professionally printed.
Yet, there are still some people out there who fire up the inkjet and whip up a batch of homebrew cards on that perforated cardstock. (I've settled upon "Perfs" as an unflattering name for these offenders)
The end result is best summed up as amateurish. The printing is faded and, after a dozen pages, starts to streak. The edges are fuzzy from being torn, and the paper
While there are many ways to market online, pay per click search engine marketing remains popular and effective. But if you’re a rookie, don’t start out alone. You need some training before you begin.Signing up for a pay per click search engine can be a bit scary. You are asked for your financial and personal information so they can get paid for your advertising. Unlike shopping online, where you understand what you’re purchasing, immediately, you are asked to set up ads, bid on keywords - what the heck are keywords, you ask! Then you need to set your budget and set a maximum bid price. These may be completely unknown to you as you begin your campaign.Accura
A good design uses a limited color palette (or color scheme) most commonly focusing on just two colors. It's not unusual to use a third accent color. However, any more than that and you're approaching the danger zone.
Avoid having your card looking like a fruit-cocktail explosion by focusing on a few key colors. Suit them to your business. Choosing warm, low-key colors creates a "sense of home" for a real estate company, while bright, energetic colors better suit an adventure travel agency.
"Full color printing" is not an invitation to get your money's worth!
2. The Ransom Note
When your computer comes with hundreds of wild and crazy fonts, it can be tempting to have some wild and crazy fun when writing up your business card. It ends up looking like a ransom note, with a different font for each word.
Similar to limiting your colors, you should use restraint when choosing fonts, or typefaces, for your card. Follow the basic rule of using one font for key elements, like headlines or your name, and another font for the detailed information.
If you do use more than one font, it's usually best to use two that share similar properties. Serif is a term that refers to the small lines at the end of some letters. The most common serif font is Time New Roman. Compare THIS with THAT and you'll see the extra little bits. Moving on... a good rule of thumb is to stick with either serif fonts, or sans-serif fonts for one design. Try not to mix and match.
Keep things simple. The more simple it is, the less chance for ugly mistakes!
3. Tear Along The Dotted Line
Since the internet came along, it's tough to be in the printing business. Prices have plummeted thanks to increased competition. I can get business cards delivered from Taiwan cheaper than I can get them down the block. (That's a fact... I've done it! ) There is no excuse not to have your business cards professionally printed.
Yet, there are still some people out there who fire up the inkjet and whip up a batch of homebrew cards on that perforated cardstock. (I've settled upon "Perfs" as an unflattering name for these offenders)
The end result is best summed up as amateurish. The printing is faded and, after a dozen pages, starts to streak. The edges are fuzzy from being torn, and the paper
What’s wrong with an objective on a resume? The problem with objectives on resumes is that a typical objective is self-centered and self-serving; therefore, it is useless. Instead of an objective, use a power statement.Let me illustrate what I mean by giving examples of both objectives and power statements. Here is a typical objective, one that HR personnel see on top of resumes all the time:“Customer Service Representative position allowing me to fully utilize my skills and attributes and providing professional advancement opportunities.”What did this objective tell me? The above objective communicated to me basically nothing but for the sake of this case
2. The Ransom Note
When your computer comes with hundreds of wild and crazy fonts, it can be tempting to have some wild and crazy fun when writing up your business card. It ends up looking like a ransom note, with a different font for each word.
Similar to limiting your colors, you should use restraint when choosing fonts, or typefaces, for your card. Follow the basic rule of using one font for key elements, like headlines or your name, and another font for the detailed information.
If you do use more than one font, it's usually best to use two that share similar properties. Serif is a term that refers to the small lines at the end of some letters. The most common serif font is Time New Roman. Compare THIS with THAT and you'll see the extra little bits. Moving on... a good rule of thumb is to stick with either serif fonts, or sans-serif fonts for one design. Try not to mix and match.
Keep things simple. The more simple it is, the less chance for ugly mistakes!
3. Tear Along The Dotted Line
Since the internet came along, it's tough to be in the printing business. Prices have plummeted thanks to increased competition. I can get business cards delivered from Taiwan cheaper than I can get them down the block. (That's a fact... I've done it! ) There is no excuse not to have your business cards professionally printed.
Yet, there are still some people out there who fire up the inkjet and whip up a batch of homebrew cards on that perforated cardstock. (I've settled upon "Perfs" as an unflattering name for these offenders)
The end result is best summed up as amateurish. The printing is faded and, after a dozen pages, starts to streak. The edges are fuzzy from being torn, and the paper
Newsletter is a great way to maintain constant contact with your target audience and at the same time enhance brand awareness. This entices every marketer to jump into newsletter or ezine marketing, but if attention is not paid, it might have a negative impact on you brand image.The most important elements of a newsletter are:Relevant informationStandardized formatPre-defined frequencyOption to change preferences Company info or offers for subscribersAt the moment of subscription, make sure that the subscribers know what they will get and at what frequency. Encourage them to view some samples o
Keep things simple. The more simple it is, the less chance for ugly mistakes!
3. Tear Along The Dotted Line
Since the internet came along, it's tough to be in the printing business. Prices have plummeted thanks to increased competition. I can get business cards delivered from Taiwan cheaper than I can get them down the block. (That's a fact... I've done it! ) There is no excuse not to have your business cards professionally printed.
Yet, there are still some people out there who fire up the inkjet and whip up a batch of homebrew cards on that perforated cardstock. (I've settled upon "Perfs" as an unflattering name for these offenders)
The end result is best summed up as amateurish. The printing is faded and, after a dozen pages, starts to streak. The edges are fuzzy from being torn, and the paper
As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.I think I fully came to appreciate this saying when I was in college.I was a marathon runner at the time and one day I added up all the miles I had run in a two-year period and realized I had covered 4000 miles!That means I could have run from California to St. Louis and back!Sounds impossible, right?Not if you're only focusing on taking one step at a time.Because even though multi-tasking is big these days, you really are most effective if you focus on doing just one thing at a time.The "one step at a time" mentality is also the best way I know to tackle what m
Yet, there are still some people out there who fire up the inkjet and whip up a batch of homebrew cards on that perforated cardstock. (I've settled upon "Perfs" as an unflattering name for these offenders)
The end result is best summed up as amateurish. The printing is faded and, after a dozen pages, starts to streak. The edges are fuzzy from being torn, and the paper is thin and flimsy.
If you can't invest fifty bucks in having cards printed up, then you likely don't have any reason to get business cards in the first place. The professional result will be thick, glossy, beautiful, and appropriately portray you as a serious business.
Don't skimp out when it's oh so affordable.
4. Mystery Meat
A well designed card presents it's information gracefully. However, no amount of design can make up for missing information. A common mistake on business cards is to completely overlook the fact that other people don't know what you do for a living. Sure, you will tell them when you hand it over, but that's no help when they discover your business card the week after the party.
Your card should succinctly convey what it is you can do for your customer.
A business card is no place to be shy, or subtle. Spell out the answer to "What can you do for me?" and your card will actually get results. Avoid catchy slogans that don't actually say anything important. Instead, write something that summarizes your business in a meaningful way. Key distinction... meaningful to other people... not just to you!
The nicest design in the world won't keep your business card from the trash if it's meaningless.
5. All I'm Askin'...
Here we are, at that critical step that transcends both the design of your card, and the information written upon it. You must treat your card with respect. The Japanese culture has this one nailed, as they treat a business card as if it was an extension of the person itself. Now, you can't expect other people to respect your business card, but you darn well better!
Don't toss somebody a business card that's been rolling around your wallet for months, with broken corners and a slight pressed-in curve. Treat your business card with the seriousness and respect that you think your business deserves, and you will see it returned to you. Carry your business cards in an executive style card case. Hand it to your prospect as if it was a freshly minted thousand dollar bill.
It's up to you to demand respect, and presented your well designed business card in a thoughtful manner will put the icing on the cake.
Avoiding these five crucial mistakes will get you off on the right foot, and let your business card do what it's supposed to do... get you business!
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