These days, nearly everyone has a business card. Whether it’s one provided by your company for the position you fill or it’s one you purchased for yourself, chances are good that you’ve had a business card at some point in your life.
Studies show that having a business card is important. Sales increase 2.5 percent for every 2,000 business cards passed out, according to a recent survey, but that’s far from the only reason to have one.
If you’re considering purchasing business cards — a bestseller in our rebranding department since our company began — then these five reasons you need a business card are just for you.
1. Branding
For the biggest reason to have a business card, look no further than recognition. Your business card is often one of the first points of contact that people will have with you, and from that first introduction, it subtly says something about you.
“It’s the one thing that you can hand out that’s not expensive and is branding yourself and showing who you are,” says Kristyn Lechwar, Director of Marketing at Printing Solutions. “I can’t imagine not having even something simple.”
A plain, black-and-white version with just the basics — company name and logo, your name and title, and your contact information — will do the trick. But to really wow new contacts, you’ll want to opt for something a little more rare. The stock of paper, the finish quality, and even the colors you choose to print in all play a role in how your business card is received.
“You only get one first impression. You don’t get a second one,” Kristyn says. “If it’s all about getting your name out there in the community, you better make sure it’s top-notch, because you’re only going to get to do that once.”
BONUS: 2. Credibility
Business cards lend credibility to your work and show that you’re serious about what you do.
The thickness of a card plays a large role here. Thinner cardstocks tend to feel cheaper, which simply doesn’t convey the authority and austerity of a thick, luxurious card. If the latter is the impression you’re looking to make on new clients and contacts, our cotton card may be the one for you.
“It’s actual cotton that’s compressed, and it’s a super thick card,” Kristyn says.
If cotton cards sound like a bit much for you, there are other ways to establish credibility with your business cards. Extra touches like embossing, glossy finishes, and high-resolution colored graphics all point to extra care taken in the impression you’re making.
3. Personality
Showing that you mean business is all well and good, but serious doesn’t always fit a company’s culture. That’s where design comes into play to create a business card that expresses your personality.
“It’s an insane number of different types of business cards that we can do,” Kristyn says. “I know we can do over 30 different types of business cards for sure. Anything that you’ve ever Googled about cool business cards, we can do it.”
Depending on the message you want to convey, you may want a business card that makes strategic use of finishes, paper thickness, or holographic details. You may want to consider embossing, foil accents, or rounded corners.
Or if you’re like one of our clients, you may steer clear of paper entirely.
“The client actually bought a plastic fake cassette that had a USB that popped back inside of it,” Kristyn says. “It looked like a cool USB that you would just have in your backpack but it was printed with their company’s business card on it.”
Whatever your own taste and personality may be, a business card is the perfect way to express yourself from the moment you make a new acquaintance.
4. Reference
A business card isn’t just a statement piece — it’s also a handy reference tool for the person who receives it.
Nearly every business card printed includes at least one form of contact information for the person handing it out, and usually lists several ways to get in touch. For a business with a heavy social media presence, it may be wise to include the company’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts along with the traditional email and phone number.
If you frequently meet with clients or patients, you may also want to include a space for notes or appointment information on the back of your card. This gives your clients a bit more context as to why they have your card, and it encourages them to engage with it. It also makes them less likely to throw it away, ensuring that your name and business will stick around in their homes for longer.
5. Longevity
As simple as it is to email or text someone your contact information, sometimes it’s nice to hold a piece of paper now and then.
This is where business cards come in handy. The nicer the stock and finish of your card, the longer it tends to stick around on someone’s desk. And the more your new contacts see your card, the more likely they are to act on the prompts it carries.
This is especially true if you’ve incorporated color into your business card design. A recent study shows that while 88 percent of business cards will be thrown out in a week, prospective clients hold onto a color card 10 times longer than a plain black-and-white card.
Need A Business Card Designed?
To learn more about our many options for business cards, or for help designing your own, give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300.