Business card branding
A memorable business card is the best way to introduce yourself and make a good impression. There are a lot of different factors that go into designing a business card. Your logo, fonts, color palette, contact info, and design layout all impact how people perceive the value of a given brand. If a business is well prepared, they might already have a brand style guide to make creating their new company business card template easier and more effective. In this post, we'll explore what goes into designing an effective business card that will get noticed! We will even dive into new business card technology that allows businesses to create a bigger wow factor with their customers.
Why is a business card Important?
A business card reflects the company's brand and sets the stage for all future interactions with it. Anybody that is interacting directly with a customer must have the best tools and resources at their disposal to make a great lasting impression. A business card sets the tone of a company or personal brand. It lets people know where they can find a business on social media or online. It reminds the potential client to visit the company page and find more info or to follow up with the sales rep.
What does a business card need to have?
Before anybody starts designing a business card, it's important to know what the purpose of the business card is. Is it to close sales? Gain more social media followers? Provide information on a subject? A well-designed and purposefully made business card can be a powerful marketing tool that will help a small business gain a huge advantage over the competition, especially when networking. On every business card, there should be the business's name, at max 2 sentences describing what the business does, any reputable contact information (phone number, email, website, social sites), and your logo. Take into account the format of the business card too. Is it a square card? A circle business card? Will it be printed on superfine Mohawk paper, or will it be printed on the cheapest card stock available? Assuming a corporation has brand guidelines, a designer can now start creating business card templates.
Purpose
Reputable contact info
- Job title
- Website
- Reputable Social media links
Follows brand identity guidelines
Budget for materials
Business card Format
DIY vs Professional Designer vs Branding Agency
When it comes to the design of a company business card, there are a lot of different options to choose from. A company can either go the DIY route by finding a business card template on Google or get more professional help by hiring a freelance graphic designer, or a branding agency to create a brand experience around the business card. Each option has its own set of pros and cons and we will dive deeper into them below.
DIY business cards: If you're on a tight budget, or if you want more control over the design of your business cards, then DIY business cards might be the best option for you. There are lots of free business card templates online that you can use or you can create your design from scratch using software like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign. The downside of DIY business cards is that they can look a bit amateurish and there might be some printing problems if not formatted right from the start. There are also a few websites that allow you to use their in-browser business card maker. These business card makers give you the graphic design tools to generate more professional-looking business cards. If a brand image is of the utmost importance then we don't recommend going this route.
Professional Freelance graphic designer: A professional designer has had many years of experience helping different business owners make their creative business card. They are disciplined in following design rules and using only a company's brand color(s). They will be able to design something that looks wonderful and stays on brand. The downside of professional freelancers however is that they can be unpredictable unless aided by a brand style guide. It also requires the person who hired them to be a creative director and manage the project. They also tend to focus just on designing leaving a lot of technological opportunities on the table for really wowing a potential client.
Branding Agency or Creative Studio: Branding agencies or in a broader term, creative studios, offer a wide range of design services like a simple logo design to a full-blown corporate rebranding project. The benefit of working with a branding agency is that they will have the experts and knowledge to take a simple business card to the next level integrating NFC or QR codes within the design. They also are experts in brand awareness taking the card design to a deeper level of complexion. The downside is that it can be incredibly more expensive and business owners who love being involved don't have the same level of control.
What should a business card look like?
Paper Type, Materials, and Finish
Business owners should take into consideration what materials are being used when creating business cards. There are three primary paper types for business cards: matte, gloss, and soft-touch coating. Each has its advantages and disadvantages depending on what the client wants from the business card. Brand recognition starts with how a company chooses to present its company in the physical world. That's why people often assume if something is light and cheap it was probably made in...China. This also goes for other marketing materials and stationery like a company letterhead or sell sheets.
Matte: Matte business cards are one of the most popular finishes because it does not reflect light like glossy business cards. This finish is great for businesses who want their business card to have a low-key and professional appearance. Matte business cards are also less prone to fingerprints and smudges. The downside to matte business cards is that they can be easily damaged.
Glossy: Glossy business cards have a high-quality finish complementing vibrant colors. They reflect light very well and create a shiny effect that makes them stand out from other business cards. The downside to glossy business cards is that they are prone to fingerprints and smudges, so be careful when handling them.
Soft Touch: Soft-touch coating is a unique type of business card that gives the business card a unique feel that makes it stand out from other business cards. The downside to this type of business card is that it can be easily scratched or damaged.
Business card idea
Different Types of Business Cards
There are a few different types of business cards you can choose from standard, custom, or die-cut. Standard is the rectangular card that has your name, company name, contact information, and logo. Custom business cards are designed specifically for your business and can include any information you want on them. Die-cut business cards are unique because they are cut into different shapes. They're a great way to showcase your business personality and stand out from the competition.
How do I make business cards interesting?
Business cards are not used as much today as they’ve been replaced by smartphone apps. Many business professionals typically don’t place business cards at the front of their agenda when looking into business marketing strategies. However, they are still important despite what many people might think. Business cards are still useful for face-to-face meetings with customers or clients. As such, business cards have gone through a mini-revolution and incorporated technology.
NFC business card
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology that allows two devices to communicate with each other when they are within proximity of one another. This makes it the perfect technology for business cards, as you can share contact information quickly and easily with someone. There are a few different ways that you can use NFC business cards. You can print NFC business cards so that they contain a link to your contact information. When someone scans your card with their phone, they will be able to access your information quickly. Depending on the goals of the business card, the NFC tag could lead a potential client to related articles within the company website.
Before getting a custom design from an agency we recommend getting a personal one to see how it feels and test out some of the NFC business card benefits. Linq found on amazon is a perfect starter card! We have added our affiliate link here:
QR Business card
A QR code is a type of barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone to link to various types of content, such as a website or video. By including a QR code on your business card, you can provide potential customers with easy access to your website. This can help you to promote your business and increase traffic to your website or social media pages. Additionally, QR codes can be used to track the success of your marketing campaigns. By tracking how many times your QR code is scanned, you can determine which marketing efforts are most effective and focus your resources on those campaigns.
AR Business Cards
Augmented reality business cards are a great marketing tool. You can create a virtual environment that can showcase your portfolio and have it be a fun interactive experience. Most people these days carry around their phones with them everywhere they go, so having an augmented reality business card app is the perfect way to reach out to potential customers. It’s a unique way to stand out and market yourself.
How to Use Your Business Card as a Marketing Tool?
As stated, a business card can help a business owner start building their brand equity one client at a time. A card lets potential customers remember who you are and what you do even if they don't necessarily remember the conversation they had with you entirely. It's quite an effective business marketing tool when combined with incredible employees and sophisticated materials. When meeting someone for the first time, handing them your business card is a great way to make a lasting impression and start building a relationship.
