Posted by Pragmatic Design on 13 June 2011 | 1 Comments

Tags: Business card, networking, marketing, corporate stationery

There are lots of funky ways to be different with your business cards: strange shapes, unusual materials, spot UV varnishes... but these can dramatically increase your costs. So we're going to look at affordable (and in some cases, free) ways to get your business cards in the hands of prospective clients.

1. Utilise unused space

Many business cards contain only the bare contact details and company logo. Nothing wrong with that, after all, that's what a business card is for. But why not make the most of all of the available space?

A quick unscientific count of business cards we've collected show that only around 19% are utilising the back area. That means that 81% are wasting half of their prime promotional real-estate!

It costs only a little extra to print both sides, so use the area to it's full advantage and list products, services, a map or even a discount voucher.

2. Point of sale

Dishing out your business cards to all and sundry is likely to be a waste of your time and money. Instead, focus on getting business cards in front of the right audience. Ask another business if you can leave your cards in a prime location in their premises. Example: if you're a tiler, ask your local tile shop if you can leave cards on their counter. Many businesses will allow this, especially if you're a customer of theirs too. Don't forget to pop back frequently to replenish the pile.

3. Eye candy

How you present your business cards at a networking event can make the difference between them being taken or left on the shelf. Why settle for a boring stack of cards when you can grab attention with an eye-catching layout?

By laying out your business cards in an unusual or striking way, people will naturally be drawn to investigate. Examples include alternating colours (which works well if one side of your business card is a solid colour), or positioning the cards in or around one of your products.

4. In a mailshot

Mailshots remain a great way to tell potential customers about your business. However, it's a sad fact that 90% of them end up in the bin almost immediately. But all is not lost- a business card is more likely to be retained than a letter or flyer, so include one in the envelope.

If you're going to paper-clip it to the letter, invest in some bright, funky paper-clips. People are more likely to keep an unusual paper-clip, and they'll have to detach your card in the process- your card is more likely to be retained once separated.

5. The old-fashioned way

Of course, the cheapest way is also the most effective: go up to a potential contact, smile, say hello, shake their hand, and hold out your card. They'll take it, read it, put it in their pocket and offer you one of theirs. Job done! And you also get to do your “elevator pitch”. Perfect.

About Pragmatic Design

Wolverhampton-based Pragmatic Design provide graphic design, website design and print solutions for businesses of all sizes and not-for-profit organisations. Find out how we can increase your sales, call us on Wolverhampton (01902) 58 10 12 or use our contact form.