Software for Designing Business Cards
Pinoy money talk wrote:
What software are easy to use in making business card? Is Photoshop? Corel Draw? Is there any other software in designing business card?
Thanks for the question PMT! As for the answer, yes. Personally I’ve only used Photoshop to design my business cards. You can see a lot of my examples from my business card template site. Every template on that site was designed in Photoshop CS2 and CS3.
Personally I like Photoshop because of the flexibility. If you want to use another graphics editing program to design business cards you could probably achieve the same types of designs. Photoshop is what I’m comfortable using.
As for specific software for designing business cards, you’re on your own. I’ve used Business Card Designer Plus by CamDevelopment and it worked really well.
Business Card Designer Plus a Windows program that only designs business cards. Then again it doesn’t cost $1,000 like Adobe Photoshop does, so maybe a smaller business card design software program is what you’re looking for. You can also browse a few of my favorite business card websites and get some design ideas.
So in conclusion, business card design is only as good as your designer. If you’re not a great designer, you might be better off with using business card software that will provide you with a template, or having your business cards professionally designed.
If you still want to print business cards at home, there are many resources, but be careful that your business cards still look professional.
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How Often Should I Update Business Card Graphics?
Free Streamed TV wrote:
How often should I update the graphics or images on my business cards?
Thanks for the business card question Tristan! In terms of updating, you can check out this post about wasting business cards. Check out the last section on design.
Personally I update my business cards every time I go through my box of 1,000. In my current business, 1000 business cards last about 6 months to a year. Before I order new business cards I try to spend a little time looking through unique business cards.
If I see a style, font, color scheme or something that I think I would like to incorporate I send it to a designer and tell him I want my business cards updated.
Then, when I get my new design I choose from the new design or my current design. The last two orders have been exact duplicates since I liked my current design more than the new business card design.
That’s how I do it, maybe you’ll find a different way, but the point needs to be made, don’t keep your business cards for 5 years and expect them to be current!
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Glossy Finish Business Cards
MGH wrote:
Some cards will a glossy finish look great, others seem ‘overdone’. Do you like
a glossy finish?
Thanks for the question MGH. As for a glossy and shiny finish on your business cards, one of my favorite thing about shiny business cards is the fact that you can use them as a mirror in case of emergency!
In all seriousness, glossy finish business cards really add a great look that is unparalleled when compared to a matte finish on your business cards. I would definitely suggest making the switch to a glossy finish if you haven’t yet.
One downside I’ve noticed is that the backside of a business card that is glossy tends to have a glossy texture to it and makes it hard to write on. Since you know how much I like using the back of a business card, that is definitely a problem.
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Am I Wasting Business Cards?
Guy Patterson from Nullamatix (great site BTW) asks:
Is there a way to tell when a business card is going to waste? I’m
frequently asked if I have a business card, but the number of call backs is
no where near the amount of cards handed out. How can I tell if someone is
genuinely sincere or just blowing smoke? Is this a symptom of an entirely
different problem?
Great question from a new reader! Guy, unfortunately the answer is a resounding yes. Yes they are sincere. Yes they are blowing smoke. Yes there is an entirely different problem.
Sincere Customers
Here is the first principal. Business cards should be handed out at every opportunity, regardless of fact that only a small percentage will respond. Business cards are one of the cheapest ways of marketing you and your business and you never know when they’ll land in the hand of a buyer.
Are most people who you give a business card to interested? Probably not. However, that shouldn’t stop you from handing them out. Keep in mind that everyone has a sphere of influence and you don’t know who is inside their sphere.
If you own a high tech networking company and hand out a business card to a stay at home mother, the odds of getting a call from her are VERY low. However, maybe her husband is the night shift manager at a hotel. This hotel has networking problems and she gives your card to him. He gives your card to the general manager and two days later you have a contract to re-wire the entire hotel. All of that from a 10 cent business card. The reason it was so effective was because the business card came from a reliable source. You’ll never have perceived authenticity if you would have bought a billboard.
Non-Sincere Customers
While I sold cars, I worked with a guy who always told me that he could look at a customer and know instantly whether they were buyers. I never believed him and approached every customer as if they were ready to buy and had the money. Because of that I sold as many cars as he did my first month in the business, and half of his sales were from previous customers!
The fact that most of your customers aren’t actually “buyers” shouldn’t stop you from handing out a business card. Since they’re so inexpensive, hand them out as often as possible. One of my favorite techniques that I learned from Joe Girard was to stick a business card into every bill you pay. You never know who in the mail room has a brother who has a cousin that needs your service.
Other problems?
Since business cards are just one facet of an effective marketing strategy it is hard to gauge why they are not working as you have expected them to. Here are a few potential problems with your business cards:
1. High Expectations
Are you expecting 10% of your business cards to result in a sale? If so, good luck. Try to aim for less than 1 percent. That is where you’ll find your business.
2. Volume
How many business cards are you passing out? While I sold cards I would go through a box of 1,000 cards in about 30-45 days. That is an average of handing our 30+ business cards during a good time. I gave them to literally everyone I met. They weren’t all in the market for a car, but if only 1 percent knew someone, that was 10 extra leads per month just from my business cards.
3. Design
There is a chance that your business cards are so badly designed that people throw them away. If they’re hard to read, were designed in 1980 or they embarrass you, it’s time to get new business card templates. Professionally designed business cards can be had for less than $100. That is a small price to pay for an extra lead or two.
Given all of that information, many people ask for a business card just to end a conversation. I would recommend using the business card as an introduction tool, not a conversation stopper. Try to work handing the person your business card into the middle or beginning of a conversation. That way they already have your business card and you can focus on selling them your product or service.
Hope that helps!
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Are the Magnetic Business Cards worth the extra money?
Frank from Albert’s Specialty Roofing Co. asks:
Are the Magnetic Business Cards worth the extra money? Do people put them on the fridge and keep them there for years of easy reference to my business?
Thanks for the question Frank! As you know, business card draw people in, but magnetic business cards can really make your company stick! Well, at least you’ll stick to the fridge.
When talking about magnetic business cards, you have to remember a few things. Firstly, magnetic business cards are definitely more expensive. You can buy business cards for less than 5 cents each. Magnetic business cards are going to cost you about 10 times that amount, or about 50 cents each. While the number is still small, it really adds up. You can buy 1000 regular business cards for $50 or less. 1000 business cards with a magnet are going to cost you $500!
Ok, the difference is price is obvious, but you would expect that since you’re getting something bigger and better right? But are you really getting something bigger and better? Or are you just getting something different?
From my experience, business card magnets only work with certain industries. If you’re a house cleaner, plumber, handy man, or similar service provider, you definitely want your business card in front of your prospects as much as possible. The same goes for a pizza delivery service.
However, if you own a web design company, are a real estate agent, or are a car salesman, don’t waste the money. Your customers know how to get in contact with you and don’t need you on a regular basis.
So Frank, to answer you question, magnetic business cards are worth the money if you’re industry is the right industry. Keep in mind the qualifications.
1. Customers call you at least twice a month.
2. There are similar businesses that could take your business if your customer can’t contact you easily.
3. (Optional) Your customers call you in emergency situation (plumbing, handyman, roof leak repair, etc)
If you fit those criteria, then spend the extra money and make your business card stick!
Just in case that wasn’t long winded enough for you, check out these other magnetic business card posts:
Magnetic Business Cards
Fridge Magnets: Good for Marketing!