Keep these design ideas in mind when creating a business card that converts prospects to customers.

1. Shock value gets you noticed, the sales pitch gets you a customer.

If you have a great and unique business card, prepare your elevator pitch well in advance.  Make sure you use that 30 second pitch to land that prospect because you’ll likely only have one chance.

2. Designs can change.

If you try a new design and you notice that you’re not getting the results you expected, ditch that design and move in a new direction.  Business cards are extremely inexpensive marketing tools.  For $30 you can get 500 business cards.  If they don’t work, you can get another 500 and so on.

3. Stay current.

There is nothing worse (in my opinion) than a business card that was designed 10 years ago.  Design changes and style change.  Stay current or risk losing customers that see you as old and plain.  Keep in mind that a business card text and pitch doesn’t have to change, but the brown and off white business cards of the 1980′s aren’t going to cut it any more.  Today’s executives were only 10 years old when you had those business cards designed in 1985!

Photo by absurdity.

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.

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!

1. Link to your personal blog.

If you’re going to freelance write, you need a blog. Plain and simple, a blog will help show off your best work.

2. Sites you’ve been featured on.

If you’ve written for Engadget or the New York Times, make sure you specify that on your business cards.

3. References for A-List bloggers.

If you are great friends with Darren Rowse and he’ll vouch for you, that is huge and would make me hire you on the spot!

When designing your business cards, make sure you are clear and express the fact that you are reliable and dependable and can work for longer that 1 month (frequent issue I’ve found).

Now get out there and find some work! Or just contact me for more info.

Ryan wrote:
Statistically, how often are business cards successful in converting sales?

Ryan, good question, but unfortunately I can’t give you the type of answer you’re looking for. There hasn’t been any kind of study done that differentiates business cards from the full marketing package. What I mean is that most people don’t just leave a card with a prospect and walk away.

The business card is just part of the marking plan.

Because of that, it is nearly impossible to give a hard number on how well business cards convert. Not to mention in some industries (car sales for example) you could give out 25 cards per day, 30 days per month (750 business cards) and only sell 10 vehicles. In that case, your percentage of cards given out to actual sales is 0.013%! Pretty poor.

But if you look at it in terms of money spent, each business card costs roughly $.08 multiplied by 750 cards per month is only $60. So now you could say that each car was sold with a $6 marketing budget!

However, we know that there are a million other factors contributing to selling cars like dealership advertising, location, brands sold, etc.

So back to your initial question, “how often are business cards successful in converting sales?” I would say that business cards are as successful as you believe they are. For me, I know they land me at least 1 client per month. I give out about 30 cards per month.

When I sold cars, I would give out 500+ per month and sell 10-30 cars per month.

So, “Yes”, business cards are successful in converting to sales. How often depends on your perception!

Eric wrote:

This comes at no better timing. I just had a thought recently about an idea but I was wondering if think this would work or not. I have a site which you can see and check out at http://www.primoblinds.com and I am interested in making a business card for this site, but the site itself is just strictly content and sharing quality information for people researching or looking into purchasing window blinds.With all that said, I was wondering what kind of idea would you have to only make a business card, but I was thinking of going to home shows and passing them out there.Do you have any clever ideas, suggestions or thoughts. On what to put on the card, and how to go about passing them out. Do you think this idea would work well?

Eric, thanks for the questions. Clever ideas? I’m full of it them! However, I don’t know if your home shows is the best idea for distribution of business cards for a content site.

Here is how I see it:

Business Cards: $50/1000
Time to distribute: 10-20 hours (probably more)
Percentage of consumers that will actually visit the site: 20%
Cost per visitor: $.25

However, for those 200 or so visitors, they’re not all buyers. Some are curious about your website, some just thought it was cool that they got a business card, and some have no life and just like the internet.

Out of those 200 visitors, I would guesstimate that about 50 are buyers. That brings your cost per visitor up to $1.00 per qualified lead. That doesn’t take into account that you spent a few full days passing these cards out!

Now lets factor in 3 days worth of time (most home shows run Friday – Sunday). You’ll be there at least 8 hours each day if you want to distribute 1k business cards. We’ll also assume your time is woth $10 an hour. So that’s 24 hours x $10/hr = $240

Actual cost per visitor: $5.80!

If I were in your shoes, I would check with Adwords because I’m sure you can get a few clicks in the window blinds industry for much less than that. You might also want to spread some keywords into the home improvement sector.

Should you get business cards for your window blinds site? I would say No Way!

Lee wrote:
I’m transitioning from a finance career to a marketing career – I don’t have any direct marketing experience – wondering what to put on my business card besides degrees (mba, bcomm) etc. in since my previous experience is directly related to marketing.
Also – any suggestions on dual purpose business cards for a person in career transition- I’ve seen calendars, nametag designs etc printed on the backs of cards.

Lee, thanks for the question, career changes scare me. I don’t envy your position right now, but hopefully the marketing career will be a better fit for you!

I might need a little more clarification, so feel free to leave a comment.

For a marketing career, your business cards should be professional, but they need to set you apart. Think somewhere between a lawyers business cards and those of a substitute teacher (without the clipart of course).

Your business cards should be clear and concise about what you do, but they should also feature a tagline or some wording that will make you memorable. Try the following on for size:

Lee’s Marketing Agency – We’ll make you famous. (Some people don’t want to be famous, so make sure this fits your clientèle.)

Call me for a free marketing idea, and I’ll show you why I’m the best. (You’d better be creative.)

Small marketing budget? No problem.

Ready for a branding shift? We’re the experts.

Those may not be ideal for you, but they should get the creative mind working. You do have a creative mind right?

Let me know via a comment if you want some follow up, or shoot me another email.

Who’s next, send me a business card question and get a free link!

Josh wrote:
What kind of business card would you recommend for the average business student?

Josh, thanks for the question! At first glance I thought, “Why would a student need a business card?” Then I realized you might have just wanted a free link!  Hopefully you’ve already been taught my advice in that fancy business college you’re going to.  Harvard Business School did you say?  Don’t forget me when you’re rich!

Anyways, the only reason I could think that a business student would need a business card would be to court potential employers. If that’s the case I have a few ideas for you that will turn your business card into a mini-resume.

1. List your GPA, assuming you are a better student than I was.

2. Show your affiliations, schools, degrees, etc.

3. Tell them how appropriate for the job you are. You look older than you are, right?

I think the mini-resume is really the way to go. Those three ideas may not be ideal for you, but with a little brainstorming, you should have a perfect line or two that will be irresistible for that new employer!

Because of the nature of plumbers, your business cards should always say something that lets people know you make emergency house calls at any time.

This is especially important if the other plumbers in the area only work 8-5. By taking a few late night calls per month you will not only make friends but you will also make some extra money.

When a plumbing disaster strikes, people are willing to pay extra as long as you can get it fixed quick. Make sure you put that on your business cards.

Also, if you have any special services you provide, make sure you list those on your business cards as well!