When it comes to doing business, there’s one tradition that’s been around for ages, but still carries a lot of clout: handing out your business card. Whether you’re a sales rep, a small business owner, or even a marketing assistant, handing someone your business card means something. It leaves an impression.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 87 percent of Americans still exchange business cards when they meet someone for the first time. That means that if you haven’t printed yourself a set, you’ll likely get left behind, or worse: forgotten.
Printing basic business cards for your needs is one thing, but if you really want to up the ante and make sure you stick in the memory of those potential clients and vendors you meet, give custom business cards a shot.
Custom business cards aren’t just cards; they’re conversation starters. They give you a chance to connect in a way you simply can’t with a plain paper card.
Not only that, but custom cards give you more options. They open doors for you to leave the impression of a lifetime.
Not Just Your Typical Business Card
One thing is certain: in business, you need to stand out to be successful. Unexpected business cards can help you do just that.
There is a vast number of inspiring ways to jazz up custom business cards and make them into something truly unique and thought-provoking.
Here are 5 of the best ways to customize business cards that I’ve come across:
Soft laminate or credit card style: Depending on what kind of business you work in, a waterproof, more durable type of card might be just the thing for you. Even for the average salesperson, a high quality gloss laminate or thick, rigid business card design could set you above the rest.
Rounded Corner Business Card
Rounded corners: Sometimes, it’s the little extras that stand out the most. Try rounding all 4 corners of your custom business card, if it works with the information and design you have in mind. If you’re not sure, consider rounding just 2 of the 4 corners for a more surprising look.
Business Card Magnet
Magnet or sticker cards: Imagine your name, contact info and logo seen every time someone opens their fridge, or their file cabinet at work. Or better yet, imagine being able to stick your business card anywhere you want. Custom magnetic business cards and sticker business cards make things like this possible.
Folded Business Card
Folded cards: Think of the range of opportunities you’ll have if you double the space on your business cards. Folded business cards let’s you do just that. When folded, these cards are the same size as a basic card, but they open up to let you double the impression.
Perforated cards: Here’s where it gets especially interesting. How about a 2-for-1 business card? Yes, you heard correctly. Two business cards for the price of one. With a perforated business card design, you can get cards that are made to be torn in half so the recipient can pass on your contact information to another person, and still be able to contact you.
Consider Your Options
These are just some of the more popular ways to customize your business cards, but really, when it comes down to it, you can do almost any number of things to make your cards stand out. Consider printing white ink onto bold colored paper, pick textured style of card material, or switch it up and print your business cards in a vertical style instead of the run-of-the-mill horizontal style. Besides rounded corners, you could change the shape of your custom business cards to be more dramatic. For example, try a square design, instead of the typical rectangle layout.
Bottom line: Do what it takes to get noticed and leave a lasting impression.
How you choose to do that, whether you build your own custom business cards or you try some other marketing tactic, make sure you’re remembered for doing it.
Smartpress.com offers more than business card printing. We offer brochure printing, booklet printing, signage printing and more!