Business cards are the standard form of exchanging information with new and potential clients. In such a small space, you are given the opportunity to encourage people to do business with you and continue your branding process. How your business card looks is a direct reflection of who you are as a business. They are an essential part of your marketing plan, so it makes sense to want them to be the best they can be. But what are the qualities of a great business card?

Clearly Displayed Contact Information

A business card is created in order to provide contact information: make it easy to find! Clearly marking where certain details are to be found, with bolded headings or fonts, is helpful to many people. Also, you will most likely be listing several ways to contact you. If you prefer the use of email over your business line, for example, you can make that a larger font or list it higher in the design scheme. Furthermore, if you are planning to include an image, you can use both sides of the card so that you do not have competing information. Having a logo and company name on one side, with contact information on the reverse can help eliminate any confusion.

Streamlined Design

It is important to streamline what you plan to include on your business card because there is a limited space for pictures and text. Finding a balance with what you want to include and any design elements you want to incorporate is vital so your card does not end up looking too cluttered. Clutter can end up looking illegible and defeats the purpose of sharing information. Clean lines, legible fonts and only pertinent information makes a business card function properly. If you are unsure of how to best achieve this balance, working with a template for your design can help you eliminate the excess.

An Interesting Design Element

Using a compelling image, an unusual yet legible font, or a unique use of color or shape can help to make your card memorable. Creating a business card that is streamlined and has clearly displayed information does not mean you have to eliminate creativity. In fact, incorporating an interesting design element can help promote interest in the products or services that you are offering. Making your card memorable increases the chances of you being the person that people call over your competition. If pre-made templates leave you wanting more, you can always use the services of a graphic designer.

A business card that combines the above three qualities can create a memorable impression. The idea is to have a card that stands out to the recipient so that the next time they are in need of what you offer, they will think of you before they think of your competition. You are creating “a-ha” moments with your business card. For example, if you are a florist and someone you meet is in need of floral arrangements they will call you because, “A-ha! I met a florist and I know they gave me their card.” These types of associations happen when a business card makes an impact. Make sure that yours does!

Tags: business card design, business card information, business cards

Getting a Sneak Peak with your Brochure Design

First impressions last; so says a well-known adage. Customers often get their first look and their very first impression of your company from the printed material that you provide, which is why it is so important for you to invest in your brochure. Design elements from the smallest change in colors to the biggest product images could even make or break your company’s advertising campaign.

Visual and tactile quality should be one of your highest priorities when it comes to planning and designing your brochure. The final product should look and feel well-made and polished. Your brochure is practically your company’s calling card; it should represent what your company is all about and send a positive message to the customer.

Getting it Right with Brochure Design

Your target market is usually a good thing to consider when planning your brochure design. That, however, isn’t enough. You also have to consider where your brochures will be distributed and the kind of visual stimuli that can be found there.

For example, if you intend to place your brochures in a typical brightly colored fast food restaurant, using similarly loud colors will be a losing battle for you. People passing by can easily mistake your brochures as part of the décor, and the brochures won’t attract the attention they were supposed to. Opt instead for paper colors and brochure designs that are a stark contrast and will really stand out against the given background.

Sell It!

Brochures are your opportunity to introduce your company and your product to a likely customer, but it shouldn’t stop there. Your company’s brochure should also sell your product to the reader. Don’t just let the reader know about your product; make him or her want to buy it.

Although specifications and technical data are definitely helpful, photos and product comparisons are more powerful when it comes to persuading customers to buy. Give them an idea of how the item will look when they’ve purchased it. Give them an idea of how it looks like when used. Give them an idea of the advantages of your product over others. Emphasize those points in your brochure design and be as explicit about them as possible.

You can improve the selling power of your brochure design by adding images. If pictures are indeed worth a thousand words, they have the value of a thousand sales pitches when used in a brochure. Provide prominent, detailed and attractive photographs of whatever you’re selling. Dazzle the customer with all the colors and variants available. Make your product look like something that the customer would and should buy.

Never, ever forget to give the customer a way to contact you or buy the product – a phone number or email address would suffice. Relying on the customer to seek out your store – especially if you’re a yet unknown brand – will defeat the purpose of using brochures in the first place. Remember, the point of brochures is to make customers buy. You may as well make it easier for your customers to do so.

Welcome to my Print Marketing Blog! Thank you for stopping by.

In this Blog, you’ll find information covering all aspects of online print industry.  My Blog sections will include Marketing Ideas, Graphic Design, Printing Tips & Advice as well as New Product Releases and Print Industry News.

I hope that you’ll find my articles informational and will refer your friends and collegues to my Blog.

Sincerely,

Jerry Kramer, Independent Marketing Professional