Why Business Cards Are Still a Powerful Marketing Tool
Oct 20, 2022
Business cards often get shunned in today’s digital world, but they are still a powerful marketing tool if done right. They should be part of your basic marketing kit, especially if you are building a local practice or doing in-person marketing like giving talks or networking.
4 Reasons to Have a Business Card
- They are a low-cost and portable way to advertise your services and raise your profile.
- Use them to share your contact information easily. You can meet a potential client at any time and a card will ensure they know how to find you.
- Help you to stand out and be remembered when meeting people in person.
- Can help create referrals as other people can share them on your behalf
Your Business Card Should Represent Your Brand
Often, a business card is the first impression someone will get of your brand. The look and feel of your card are communicating directly to the person receiving it. They will form an opinion of you and the quality of your service based on how professional it is.
Make sure your business cards are in keeping with the rest of your branding. Use your logo, fonts and colours consistent with the rest of your marketing.
As a holistic practitioner, you are your brand and including your photo is a great way to be remembered. Humans are designed to remember faces. Use the same photo you have on your website and social media pages for consistency.
If you have the budget, get a professional graphic designer to create your brand and do the artwork for your business cards. If you don’t check out my mini-course on creating a stylish brand on a budget.
What to Include on Your Business Card
Only include the information you need and don’t feel you have to include every last detail. Make use of both sides of your cards by adding your photo and your marketing message. This will help people to remember who you help and how you help them.
If you don’t have a simple marketing message, this article will help you.
Keep the card as simple as possible and make sure everything on it has a purpose. Details you can include are:
- Logo
- Name and qualifications
- Main discipline/approach
- Contact details
- Website and social media
- Profile photo
- Marketing message
Designing Your Business Card
If you have a graphic designer, brief them to create your artwork so it works with your branding. There are online services available to have business cards designed such as fivrr but you’re taking a chance on the quality of the design so read the reviews first.
You can create your own artwork using software such as Canva. You can create something from scratch or use one of the templates as a base to personalise and insert your own information. Many online printers also provide templates as part of their service.
Decide on the size and shape of your business card. Whilst doing something different will help your card to stand out, an unusual size, shape, or material will add to the cost of producing it.
Printing
Technology allows you to have small numbers of business cards printed at a low cost. If you’re not used to ordering and specifying print, find examples of cards you like and speak with your local print shop.
Alternatively, if you’re using an online service, request a sample of what you’re ordering so you can feel the quality and make sure you’re happy. Solopress is the printer I use, and they send out a very useful free sample pack which will help you decide on the best material and finish for your cards.
There are endless choices of materials and finishes when it comes to business cards from smooth to heavily textured and everything between, white or coloured card, recycled card, gloss varnished, matt laminated, die-cut, foiled, embossed etc. If you aren’t aware of the options, a sample pack will help you to work out what you like. As a side note, if you want people to be able to write on your card, avoid varnished or laminated finishes.
With everything moving digital, you can have digital business cards. These are a great option if you work with corporates or professionals, but for holistic practitioners who are building a local business, traditional printed cards are still a powerful and affordable way to market yourself.
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