Description:
“Starring real life couple Devendra Banhart and Rebecca Schwartz, the premise of the Oliver Peoples 2011 campaign is an exploration of authentic intimacy and sexuality.”

I don’t want to get into too much detail about the importance of business cards, as I’m *hoping* you’re already aware of it. Normally when we meet a potential new client (whether it be at a networking or social event, or even randomly on the street) we only have a minute or two to chat, and it can be difficult to make a memorable impression. That’s where your business card should come in.

How much should I spend?

When I encounter clients who gasp at the thought of spending over $150 for business cards, I ask them “How much is a new client worth to you?”

The way I see it…
1 business card = 1 potential new lead

Let’s under-exaggerate and say that only 5% (1 out of every 20) new leads will become a client. That means out of every 500 cards you hand out, you will gain 25 new clients.  If a single new client earns you $100, that’s $2500 in earnnings per batch of 500 cards.  For some of you this number may be more, for some of you less. But basically, if you work out the math you will likely find that you are undervaluing the importance of your business cards.

And don’t forget, with a nicer and more attractive card, you will definitely gain more leads than with a plain and typical business card.

How to improve your business card

There are countless ways in which you can improve your business card without even touching the actual design of the card. Simple improvements such as the sizing, adding effects, or using an entirely different cardstock can make a huge difference.  Below are some suggestions on how to make your business card stand out from others:

Sizing
There’s no rule that business cards MUST be a specific size. 99% of business cards are the same size, so cropping even 1/4 of an inch off the height or width will already make you stand out. Have some fun with it! The “European Cut” business card (standard width, but 75% the height) is a personal favourite and the size of all my cards. I almost always get compliments on them.

When it comes to size, the only rule that you want to follow is that your card should still be small enough to fit into a pocket or wallet.

Texture/Cardstock
You have the option of everything from plastic, to linen, recycled paper, metal, matte lamination (very smooth), or gloss lamination (very shiny). Even the most basic card design can stand out with a non-standard cardstock. I have a friend who has his logo on one side, and only his name and phone number on the other. That’s all, yet he’s received countless compliments simply because his card is black plastic.

Effects
There are numerous effects that can also be added to your business card (you can request these from almost any print shop). These include:

Die cuts: A die cut allows you to crop your card in almost any shape. For example, if you’re a bottling company, your card could be in the shape of a bottle. Recently, I received a real estate agent’s card which was in the shape of a house.

Embossing: A simple effect, allowing you to make areas of your card pop out (literally!)

Spot UV: A spot uv allows you to laminate a specific portion of your business card. It’s similar to a watermark, and there are many creative ways in which this can be used. It’s a very subtle effect, however still one of the most popular.

Metallics: Instead of dull grays or yellows, why not use a metallic silver or gold?

Foil Stamping: Crop your logo, your name, etc. in shiny bright foil. This is an effect that works best on thicker fonts and logos, however it is absolutely beautiful and is guaranteed to get compliments.

Get Creative!

Remember, a business card is an extension of your brand, so create something unique, relevant, and eye-catching!  With the amount of competition out there these days, it’s time to take advantage of this powerful marketing tool!