Rules for creating the right selling business card. Business cards that work for you: tips and best practices
What is a business card for?
A business card provides the interlocutor with some information about you and your occupation, is essential tool business man and an integral part of the image.
Business cards are not only a beautiful attribute, but also a rule good manners. Moreover, now it’s not difficult at all, because there are many convenient online services to create business cards, for example, .
Using business cards is convenient: share your contacts with other people without unnecessary actions.
In addition to all of the above, a business card has advertising properties, it is understood that it must also have some effect on the recipient, so when creating it, it is worth considering every detail.
Also, business cards are an integral element of corporate identity.
Business card features
Business Cards serve to perform the following basic functions:
informative- the specified data on the business card provide some information about you and your activities: your name, position, contacts, so that a person can contact you or your office.
Image- such a small piece of thick paper as a business card, depending on the design, whether it be cheerful or elegant, bulky or concise design can say a lot about you not only as a person, but also as a businessman. A high-quality and tastefully executed business card creates positive image you or your company in the eyes of the recipient.
Promotion function- most likely, a satisfied client will remember that he has your business card and will gladly pass on your contacts to his friends and comrades if necessary. Also, a business card helps spread your logo and slogan, making them more recognizable and memorable.
Types of business cards
In the modern business world, the following types are distinguished:
— personal business cards you may need in the usual acquaintance and communication in friendly companies. Performed in perfect free style. Most often you will see on them the last name, first name, mobile phone or address Email. The position and company name are usually not indicated, but the field of activity of a person may be noted.
— business cards an essential attribute of an entrepreneur, their presence is necessary to comply with the elementary rules of business etiquette. Awarded to potential partners and provide information about the owner. They indicate the surname and name, the name of the organization you represent, as well as contact details. In addition, it is customary to place a company logo and a list of services offered on it. When making such a business card, do not forget to adhere to the corporate style.
— Corporate business cards unlike business ones, they do not represent a specific person, but the company and the services it provides as a whole. During registration, they indicate information about the company, scope of activity, list of services provided, contact details, website address, and often place a map.
How to draw up a business card?
When creating a business card, it is desirable that the design includes the following elements:
- company name and logo (in the case of corporate business cards);
- name and position;
- postal address, phone number (more than one is possible);
- E-mail address;
- site address (URL).
In addition, pay attention to business card requirements:
1. An overabundance and clutter of information creates a negative impression about the cardholder, while a large number of empty space on business cards in most cases gives the impression of neatness.
2. Check the text for errors seven times. Handwritten corrections are unacceptable as they create a negative impression.
3. Pay attention to which color scheme is used - RGB or CMYK. The image of colors on the screen and on paper does not always look the same. RGB colors are used for display on the screen. The CMYK color scheme is used for typographic printing, so layout elements must be made in this particular color scheme.
4. Make sure the resolution is at least 300 dpi.
5. Standard sizes- 90x50 mm, less commonly used 90x55 or 85x55 mm.
6. Make sure there are indents to avoid errors during cutting.
7. If you create not only business cards, but also another printed matter, make sure they are all in the same color.
8. As business contacts expand, it is worth considering creating a business card on foreign language. If you're doing business in a specific region, it's a good idea to have business cards in the local language. In addition, it is desirable to make business cards on English language, which is the language of the international business communication.
How to create a business card?
You can resort to several options for creating business cards. You can always order business cards from a designer or from a printing agency.
However, to create a business card, it is not necessary to resort to the services of printing salons. If you are wondering how to create a business card yourself, you have two options:
- Draw in a graphic editor, for example, Photoshop, Inkscape.
- Use one of the many online editors and online generators, on the sites of which you will find modern business card layouts. It is easy to enter and edit personal information in layouts.
Having created business cards yourself, you just have to find a printing house and order printing.
But even here, modern services have gone far, with their help you can order business card printing and delivery without leaving your home with just a few clicks.
Creating business cards using the Logaster online service
The advantage of the Logaster service is the ability to create the above business cards in a matter of minutes. However, before moving on to creating a business card, you need to create your logo.
Below you are presented step-by-step instruction how to make a logo and then a business card.
1. Select the "Create a logo" option, enter your company name or words that will be associated with your business. Below you can add a slogan that you want to convey to your customers. Please select your area of activity below. We press the "Next" button.
2. Choose the right logo. The choice of an icon for a logo usually depends on the scope of your activity.
3. Now you can edit the logo: choose a color, font. To cancel the action, there is a "Reset Item" button at the bottom. If the design suits you, click on the "Next" button.
4. If you like everything, then click on the "Save" button.
5. After creating a logo, Logaster will generate a large number of business card layouts in the colors of your logo. To do this, go to the logo page and click on the triangle in the edit menu above the logo. Click "Create a business card with this logo". Choose your favorite design and save.
6. Next, using the editing options, you need to enter personal data or data of your employee.
In this article, we will visually look at the most common mistakes that are made when creating business cards, and teach you how to avoid them. This article will be useful not only for designers, but also for those who plan to have or already have their own business cards.
Layout problems
The task of layout is to correctly place accents on the business card. In the case of poor layout, the recipient will not understand where to look and what to read first.Also, without a grid, text blocks often end up too close to each other or to the edges, causing the text to lack “air” and simply “stick together” and become difficult to read.
Bad handling of fonts
Here is a short list of principles that can guide you when working with fonts:- It is important to choose the right fonts that combine with each other, so it is better not to use more than two fonts on one business card - there is less chance of missing;
- Effects are not applicable to fonts (with very rare exceptions);
- You cannot deform (stretch) the font - the letters must look as they are intended.
Readability Issues
In pursuit of the amount of "DESIGN" per square centimeter on a business card, you should not use as many effects available in Photoshop as possible.Shadows, imitation of 3D and various textures make it difficult to convey information as simply and clearly as possible. Do not forget that a business card is essentially - thin sheet paper, and imitating a three-dimensional image or texture on it with the help of effects is not worth it - best solution will invest in more expensive material.
Wrong business card design
Under the final paragraph, common mistakes at the stage of filling a business card are combined:1. Formatting links. First of all, get rid of "https://". This part is optional and looks like garbage on the way to useful information. Also try to make the "id" of your communities and pages look like "/logomachine" and not "/id32754081";
2. Making a phone number. Mobile phones have the format "8 911 123 44 55", and city ones - "111 22 33". In brackets, only numbers that are optional for dialing are written (city code, for example);
3. Registration of mail. Mail to @rambler.ru, as well as "zaychik777" as a login - bad idea(or "banned"). Your best bet is to use mail on your company's domain;
4. Usage own photo on a business card is considered bad manners if you a famous person(entrepreneur, head of the company, etc.). An exception may be managers whose business card photo will help distinguish them from other managers of the company;
5. A bilingual business card on both sides indicates a desire to save on batches of business cards for foreign clients.
As a result:
Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but following these simple advice you will learn how not to make the most common mistakes when creating a business card.Prepared by Danila Baranov for Logomachine
A business card is one of the cheapest and most common promotional materials. Now the people of the most different professions- from directors large companies and to locksmiths who earn extra money after a shift at the factory.
A small box with a few lines of text can look different and have different effects. A beautiful, unusual and well-made business card is simply a pity for many people to throw away, and in addition they will want to look at it - that is, they will read the information from it and take note. But a cheap cardboard box with a design made in Paint in 10 minutes is unlikely to be appreciated.
Below Reconomica will take a closer look at a selection of tips for creating really good business cards. We will not describe the drawing process itself, but will pay attention to the creation of design and content.
Let's make a reservation right away: there are no strict standards here - if you wish, you can make a business card in general the other way around. And we will cite only common trends.
Basic Rules design: how to make a really cool business card? (+ video selection of examples)
FROM First - the basic rules for designing a business card:
Wrift- readable, contrasting with the background, WITHOUT decorative elements, WITHOUT curls, NOT capital - necessarily equal. This is probably one of the basic rules that all more or less good designers adhere to.
Size. Standard - 50x90 or 55x85 mm. However, you can experiment with both aspect ratio and size. Just keep in mind that business cards are usually put away in a pocket or purse - that is, you don’t need to make a product that is too large. And too small - too.
Eye-catching colors, ideally - calm shades. Background - shades of white, gray, golden. In some cases, a black background will look stylish. The text is in a contrasting color with the background.
The form. Traditionally - a regular rectangle. But if you wish, you can order a business card of a different shape - with rounded edges, or some other. For example - a hairdresser can order a business card in the form of a comb(P ri qualitative implementation is interesting solution). H o Please note that any non-standard parameters increase the price of printing. In addition, keep in mind that the shape must be reliable - too thin bends will quickly crumple, and a beautiful piece of paper with a useful contact will turn into garbage that they definitely won’t carry in a wallet.
Language - only Russian(or the one on which you communicate with the client). If there is a possibility of contact with a partner/client who speaks another language, it is better to make a small separate batch.
What can be (and should be) on a business card
It can be:
Contacts. Since people are now using big amount means of communication - you need to indicate everything by which you are available and which are common in your region. The usual dialing is a mobile phone, Viber, Telegram, Vkontakte. If there is - a website, Instagram, Facebook. If necessary - the address (for example - a store, a hairdresser, a car repair shop). It is important to indicate the mail if you are in contact with people who can use it: for example, a business partner can send a price list.
First Name Last Name. Middle name - you can specify if you are a big boss. It is recommended to indicate the first and last name, even if the business card says “Finishing the balconies” - after all, when communicating, the interlocutor needs to know how to address you.
Occupation. It can be indicated both in the form of a profession (photographer, English tutor), and in the form of a field of activity (finishing balconies, external insulation of apartments). It is indicated concisely, briefly and clearly.
Company logo and name- if this is not a “personal” business card, but an employee who represents a company.
The items above (except, perhaps, the logo) are mandatory. Additionally, if there is a place, you can tell in more detail about your services - if there are several of them.
For example - you are engaged in finishing works. On a business card, you can write “Finishing Works” in large print, and below give a list in a smaller font, which includes the services that you still provide:
redevelopment of the premises;
turnkey rough finish;
finishing of turnkey apartments.
An important nuance: in this example, a large number of “separate” services could be cited (wallpapering, floor screed, wall painting, plasterboard finishing, stretch ceilings, and so on). If they neatly and beautifully (outwardly) fit on a business card - great: fit. Otherwise - try to group them.
What should not be on your business card
Since the size of the business card is small, a lot of content on it cannot be squeezed even in small print. However, for some reason, many people tend to write as much text as possible on a small piece of cardboard - believing that this will attract a client.
What NOT to post:
"Extra" contacts. Mailbox (for example, if you are engaged in finishing balconies - it is unlikely that clients will write to the post office), fax, home phone, pages on social networks that you do not use or rarely use (for example, you registered on Facebook for solidity, but visit the page once a week).
"Extra" titles, positions, achievements. "Ivan Petrov, director of Omskaluminy LLC, candidate of chemical sciences, dean of the Omsk State University, MSMK in weightlifting." If you need to distribute your contacts as a specialist in different areas- it is better to have separate business cards with different information.
Promotional/Incentive Phrases. “Buy from us”, “Call us and we will tell you more”. Even if they fit in, they are almost never placed on business cards: this is a kind of bad form. Try to find at least one beautiful business card on which there will be similar slogans - it is unlikely to succeed.
Material and additional "finishing" business cards
In addition to visual perception, tactile sensations of the client are also important. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the choice of material.
When a designer worked on a business card, this is immediately evident.
It could be:
Coated paper. The most popular and cheapest option. It can be either white or colored, glossy or matte.
textured paper. It has a relief surface, can be performed with imitation for some material: wood, fabric, leather.
Metallized paper. The surface will have a metallic sheen (even cooler than glossy).
Paper "touch cover". Pleasant silky surface, created by latex spraying. In addition to an interesting structure, they are also good at abrasion resistance.
pearl paper. Has a spectacular shine.
An important nuance: the selected paper and its quality should be combined with the design of the business card. For example, if you order an original and really cool layout, but print it on the cheapest paper, it will not give the desired effect. And vice versa: if you choose the most expensive paper, but the design is cheap/tasteless/outdated, the effect will also not be very good.
In addition to paper, in rare cases, another material can be used: plastic, iron or wood. The cost of such business cards will be much higher than that of paper ones, but they can also look very cool if implemented correctly.
The method of applying text (or images) can also be unusual. The options are:
Foil stamping.
Hot stamping (embossed).
Thermal rise.
Such techniques allow you to create a business card with protruding (embossed) elements.
Review of the main mistakes in design (video)
Whether to complete both sides
T traditionally, business cards were made one-sided. Moreover, the “front” side could be glossy, matte, or have another “finish”, while the back side remained ordinary paper. On it, if necessary, it was possible to quickly add something.
Now this trend is not generally accepted - you can also make a double-sided business card. However, you do not need to do this intentionally - if all necessary information breaks on one side, it is better to limit it to it.
If the information does not fit (this is relevant, for example, if you have 5-6 contacts for communication, + an extensive list of services offered), then it is better not to reduce the font and not to cram the text, but to spread it on 2 sides.
For example, marketing expert Igor Mann (founder of the MIF publishing house) believes that a business card is one of the most effective shareware tools for promoting a personal brand and business. But it is important that your business card contains a "chip" - a specific unique offer. Mann himself offers on his business card a selection of books from his publishing house.
Ways to improve: how to make a business card more memorable and comfortable
Since modern marketers and designers have already tried many options, and a business card is a simple product, it will not be possible to invent many ways.
You can stand out using the following methods:
unusual shape. It is important to experiment with the form of a business card, if it can somehow be styled for your occupation. For example, if you are a photographer, instead of a rectangle, you can cut out a business card in the shape of a camera outline.
quality paper. Not a unique technique, but very effective if you work in a low or medium price segment. In this case, many competitors will most likely have simple cheap cardboard boxes, and, moreover, probably not very beautifully designed. If your business card visually and to the touch will be favorably different, it will definitely highlight your company.
Availability of a QR code. Also not unique way, although for the Russian market - not very common. It is relevant to do if it is possible to “hide” some useful information. For example, if you are a photographer, it can lead directly to the page with your portfolio.
Programs for self-creation of business cards
If you have taste and imagination - you can use it to create a business card Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDraw or even MS Word.
There is also an alternative - special programs. As an example:
power card maker.
Easy Card Creator Express.
business card studio.
Business Card Master.
Business Card Office.
There is also an easier option - online designers. Of the most convenient, functional and simple:
editor.printdesign.com.
offnote.net.
Maketron.ru
printclick.ru.
crello.com.
We have given only a few options - for review: in fact, there are a huge number of them, with a variety of functionalities.
Lesson on creating business cards in Photoshop (video)
The right business card is an integral part of business reputation
I am sure that each of you, since you have landed on this site, is going to become an entrepreneur, have your own business, earn good money and establish business connections. Perhaps some are already successfully doing this, but this article will be of interest to you. Today we will talk about business cards. Yes, yes, about ordinary paper business cards that can briefly tell you who you are, what you do, what field of activity you represent.
A business card is an essential part of any business. Whatever you do: providing consulting services, creating and developing websites, selling goods, you definitely need a business card that will become the face of the company. Many experts note that a business card is the simplest, but at the same time very effective business tool with which you can convey information about yourself and your business to potential customers and partners.
Many entrepreneurs ignore this business tool, believing that business cards are not effective, that they are unnecessary expenses, that they have long outlived their usefulness. But, as practice shows, a properly designed business card can be many times more effective than a big board in the city center. Don't believe? I will not convince you, and it is unlikely that this will work. I’ll just say one thing, that in my experience I felt how several thousand correctly made business cards can attract more than a hundred customers, most of from which will order. Of course, making a business card is only part of the overall success. You still need to be able to work with them, but this is a topic for a completely different article. Today we will tell you about 10 signs of a correct and effective business card.
10 signs of the right business card
1. Pay Special attention to text
You have all seen business cards - this is a rectangle measuring 5 by 9 centimeters. The most common mistake many entrepreneurs make is that they want to put too much information on this small piece of paper. Remember, a business card is not an advertising booklet, and you should not try to fit everything there. Personally, I had to hold such business cards in my hands, on which they placed a photo of products, a map to the office, a small description of the company, addresses, phone numbers, names of employees. It looked terrible, and, to be honest, I didn’t want to look closely and make out what was written and drawn there.
The right business card should contain concise and clear information. It is sufficient if you provide the company name, address, contact number, your first and last name, and position. Everything, in fact, you can no longer put anything on a business card. Of course, each business card has its own purpose, but the main thing to remember is that information overload is a huge minus. Clarity, conciseness, informativeness - these are the three main commandments of the text correct business card.
There is one more thing I would like to draw your attention to. Never duplicate the text of a business card in a foreign language. I understand that you can save money this way, and it seems to you that in this way you will give solidity to the business card, but in fact it is a bad form. If you have partners in other countries, and a meeting is planned with them, then take the trouble to order a batch of business cards especially for them, in their native language.
2. Graphics and background for the right business card
Even 10 years ago, business cards used by businessmen were full of different colors, drawings, logos, and this was considered the norm. I don’t know how such business cards were perceived, but the trend was serious. Now the era of minimalism has come in everything. This "fashion" also did not bypass business cards. No need to use multiple graphic elements, drawings, logos, any photos and patterns.
Many experts even advise against using a logo on a business card if it is not made in a minimalist style. Why is it minimal, you ask? What's so special about it. Yes, everything is simple, it will interfere with the three foundations of a proper business card: clarity, conciseness, information content. A business card made in light and calm colors, not conspicuous, but at the same time attracting attention, will be the best option.
3. Arrangement of elements
Very important role plays and how you arrange all the elements on the business card. That is why I say that you should not do a lot of them, because then the opportunity correct location will be very limited, and the business card will not bring the desired effect.
After you make a business card layout, order a few test options. Let them be printed in the printing industry, and then you will be able to evaluate the practicality and convenience of using your business card. How to do it? well one of the most simple options: take a business card in left hand, and a mobile phone to the right, as if you were about to dial a number. When holding a business card, do you cover part of the phone number? If you close, then draw conclusions about how it would be more convenient to place it. In general, twist the business card in your hands, evaluate it, give it to a few friends, let them look, tell their opinion, pay attention to what they like and what they don’t.
4. Fonts
Playing with fonts is probably the worst thing a designer can hear from a client. Why? Yes, because there are a huge number of fonts, and the customer wants to try and fit the most beautiful ones on his business card.
Yes, there are a lot of beautiful and attractive fonts, but you need to understand that you can combine a maximum of two on a business card. This is done to make your card look solid, and not as drawn by a fifth grader in a simple graphics editor. Always remember - two fonts and no more. Otherwise, even if it seems to you that it is very beautiful, you run the risk of getting a low-quality business card that can significantly ruin your reputation.
5. Color range
The rainbow has seven colors, monitors can display millions of shades, and in your imagination such incredible combinations can appear, which is hard to imagine. But this does not mean at all that you need to make a riot of colors and fantasy out of your business card. Again, keep to the rule of minimalism, and use a maximum of 2-3 colors when building your business card color system. Yes, and colors need to be selected such that they combine as well as possible and complement each other.
Look at the largest and most popular sites in the world - Facebook, Vkontakte, Google, Wikipedia, Yahoo. All of them have one thing in common - a clear and concise use of colors. This is how you jump on this trend. Believe me, the design developers for these giants of the Internet know exactly what and how they suit most people in the world, what their preferences and reactions are to certain colors. Also, do not forget about your corporate colors. If they are, then the business card should be made in a similar color scheme.
6. Material correctly business cards
Here you can already fantasize and not stop. Now there are many materials on which it is possible to execute your business card. It's paper, plastic, and different kinds wood, and even exotic materials such as leather or rubber.
So what do you get away from? As a rule, the material should be chosen based on the scope of your activity and the tasks of using business cards. If you are selling some unusual and amazing gifts, then it is better to make a creative, eye-catching business card. Looking at such a business card, it will be immediately clear that you can find something interesting and unusual. If the business card is intended for business partners, then it is better to choose a standard one. thick paper and cover it with a thin layer of varnish.
7. How to make the right business card
Here, too, you have freedom of choice. First of all, the method depends on the material that you choose. Next, you should pay attention to how and where the business card will be used. Modern printing centers offer many different options for making business cards - this is offset printing, silk-screen printing, embossing, and die-cutting, and dozens of other ways, each of which has its pros and cons. Here, as they say, there are no comrades for the taste and color. If you see that one of these methods is ideal for the style and material of your business card, then go ahead, do it that way. More details about various ways you can read the production on the websites of printing centers that offer a similar service.
By the way, since we are talking about making business cards, please promise me one thing. You will never print your business cards on a color printer and then cut them out with scissors. Believe me, in this way you will not save money, but only spoil your reputation. Self-made business cards on a printer are terrible quality, goon, and disrespectful to those to whom you give such a business card. If I had received such a card from a business partner, I would have thought several times about whether it is worth working with him if he shakes a couple of tens of dollars for a thousand quality business cards.
8. Storing business cards
Back pockets of trousers, inside pockets of jackets, various compartments in bags and backpacks are absolutely not the places where you can and should store business cards. Firstly, it is not entirely solid when you take out a crumpled and not very “fresh” business card from your back pocket. Secondly, storing a business card in this way, you will rub them very quickly, they will become unattractive.
Therefore, buy yourself a business card. She will keep your cards in looking good, and it will look solid when you present your business card, taking it out of a shiny, beautiful, neat business card holder.
9. Correction on a business card
Have you changed your address or phone number? Then we throw out the old business cards, and immediately order new ones, with more relevant data. Of course, you can correct incorrect data with a pen, and this will help potential customers get information. But at the same time, they will conclude that you are not serious about your business.
Once I myself faced such a case. Wanted to order household appliances in the store, but it was not available, and it was proposed to place an order, leaving a small prepayment. I was going to think a little, and they gave me a business card with their coordinates to call back and tell about my decision. What a surprise it was when the address and phone number on the business card were corrected with a pen. As for me, a company that wants to bring me equipment for a couple of thousand dollars should not save a few hundred rubles on high-quality business cards. I immediately got the impression that they can also save on equipment by bringing me a TV set “corrected by a pen”.
10. Mistakes and typos
Check business cards at all stages of production. We wrote the text - check it, made a preliminary layout - check it, ordered a trial post - check everything for errors and typos. Also give business cards to your colleagues and employees of the company, let them look with a fresh look, maybe they will find some inaccuracies. Even when you double-checked everything, gave the layout for final printing, and after a while came to pick it up finished products then check everything again.
One small mistake on a business card is a hundred times worse than a few typos in an advertising booklet. Be as demanding as possible of yourself and the text of your business card.