BUSINESS CARDS
Who Needs Them, Where To Get Them, and Other Information
|
What Information Should Go on a Business Card?
At minimum, your name or comapny name, and a way of contacting you (address, phone number or email address), should be on your business card. This can be done simply, or in a creative manner so that your card will stand out among all the others. The design is up to you, and will be covered later on. Since business cards are small, there'll only be room for basic information. If your business covers a lot of products or services, those can be expanded in brochures, usually also available at the same place you purchase your business cards. There may also be room on your business card for your company logo. All of these possibilities are available to you through templates and designs, from the company you'll order your cards from.
Where Can I Get Them?
There are many sources for business cards and other business articles. If you have an Office Max, Office Depot or Staples in your area, you can go in, look through their design templates, and order on the spot. There are also online sources who will work quickly to get your order processed, cards printed and shipped to you in a minimum amount of time. Here are just a few we found, with very reasonable prices.
- Design Your Own Card's website offers plenty of templates so you can design your own business card, have it printed and shipped right to you, usually the next business day. Prices start at $29.95 for 500 cards.
- Overnight Prints offer rates starting at $9.95 for 100 single-side business cards, to $39.95 for 1000. Use your own template or theirs.
- VistaPrint is another source for good prices on business cards and other media. At the time this article was uploaded, they were featuring great trial offers, including free business cards.
- GotPrint.com Printing supplies high quality, low price business cards, brochures, flyers, catalogs, postcards, letterhead, envelopes, and more.
What About Design?
No matter how simple or artistic your business card is, it should include the following information: Name of individual and/or business; physical or mailing address; telephone number; email address and web page address, if you have one. Optional information includes your job title; tagline or very brief description of your business; a logo which is identified with your company. Now you need to figure out how to get all of this information on one small business card. The sources listed have templates you can use to design your card. Give them a good looking over and you may get ideas for your own design, or you can use their templates. The simpler the design, the cheaper it will be for you. However, if your focus is on attracting attention--and more business--you may want to go a little more exotic, or consider a double-sided or folding business card.
What If I Want to Design and Print My Own?
Some people prefer to print out a small number of business cards at a time, are just starting out and don't have a lot of money for fancy business cards, or perhaps they have a state-of-the art printer which can turn out quality business cards quickly and cheaply. If this is something you're interested in, you can get business card software which will help you design and produce quality business cards. Some popular software titles include Business Card Factory Deluxe, The Print Shop Business Card Creator; Business Card Designer Plus; and Visual Business Cards. There are many more possibilities, but these will get you started in locating more information.
Whatever your business, whatever your need, you can now have a business card that will work for you. Use the information above and get your business cards today. You'll be glad you did!