Yesterday we signed up our employees for life insurance as an added company benefit. We had an insurance sales person help with the process as the forms were rather confusing. I asked for her business card in case we had questions later. She handed me the bottom of a torn piece of company stationery. She said she was out of business cards but didn't really need them anyway.
I asked her what she does when she meets someone new who might be a prospective client. She said she just gets their name and phone number and adds them to her Blackberry to follow up.
Not only are business cards essential - new printing technology makes it easier than ever to make them into a true marketing tool. Its a small piece of paper that does so much. Two sided full color printing is now included in our cards so you can have your contact information on one side and an overview of your business offering, your unique selling proposition, why you are better, why you are different. A quick survey of the vast number of business cards in my drawer have nothing on back - a wasted opportunity. A business card should be able to remind them of what you do long after they may even have forgotten your face.
And now a business card can be even more with QR codes. A QR code on your business card can take a customer right to your website or a unique web page designed to further communicate what you do for your clients.
And now with the affordability of full color printing even in small quantities, you can have business cards that speak to different types of clients. It doesn't need to be a one size fits all.
Business cards can be fun and colorful or serious and provide an aura of confidence. When we design business cards - we have lots of questions. Who will you give it to? What do you want them to know and remember? Do you want people to be able to write on your card (so we recommend the right paper surface)? We try to make each card memorable.
Beyond the fun of business cards - don't forget to make sure they are useful. Watch your point size and font. Make sure people will be able to read it. While black gloss on a black card is so elegant and memorable, if you can't quite make out what it says - its not working as hard for you as it could.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Here's what's New in the World of Promotional Products.
Here’s what’s new in the world of promotional products for 2010
Time to take all we learned in 2009 and look forward. We recently returned from our largest trade show of the year and our suppliers have really gone to work to create some wonderful new products – new ideas, new colors in old products, great pricing and faster turn around than we have seen in the past.
Here are some interesting things we saw:
Flash drives:
• Brilliant full color dome imprints
• The tiniest flash drives I have ever seen – 1.5” x .5”
• Paper clip flash drive: Paperclip function allows you to clip this item to padfolios, journals, and beyond
• Credit card size flash drives with full color imprint areas
• Eco friendly flash drives made of recycled plastic, bamboo, wood or paperboard (card board)
• And don’t forget we can load data right here in our secure facility for you.
Journal books:
• Remember waiting three – four weeks to get a beautiful journal book with a die cut on the cover and your full color information showing through the window? There is now a selection of die cut windows in square, rectangle and round that ship in one to three days depending upon the journal book size.
• Debossed journal books can ship next day!
• Full color covers ship in three days from art approval
Eco Friendly:
This category continues to grow but the products are becoming less expensive and nicer quality.
Awards:
Awards have been a growing category for us as more companies are trying to recognize their good performers. New this year:
Recycled Glass – this look is beautiful and I fell in love with it even before I realized it was great for the environment.
Checkpoint Friendly:
Don’t you hate taking out your lap top and putting it in the bin (all while taking off your shoes, phone, emptying pockets, removing your coat, etc.) Last year we saw the introduction of checkpoint friendly computer cases – just unzip the bag and it slides right down the belt with no hassle from the TSA. Many new less expensive bags emerged this year both with shoulder strap and backpack style:
Cool new tools:
Carabiner tool as low as $3.99
Good quality – heavyweight screw drivers – as low as $4.99
For Kids:
Color changing and Glow in the dark silicone bracelets will be big this year.
Silcone slapper bracelet watches (I want one of these!)
Temporary tattoos for clothing
Packaging:
We saw many examples of how customized packaging can really enhance your message. We are bringing in several samples for ideas.
Pricing:
We are seeing the good quality, fast turn vendors get into the price game with some great low prices on the items that have been around for years.
There are so many great new products – just let us know how we can help you. Or stop by the showroom. We are receiving many of the new samples every day.
Time to take all we learned in 2009 and look forward. We recently returned from our largest trade show of the year and our suppliers have really gone to work to create some wonderful new products – new ideas, new colors in old products, great pricing and faster turn around than we have seen in the past.
Here are some interesting things we saw:
Flash drives:
• Brilliant full color dome imprints
• The tiniest flash drives I have ever seen – 1.5” x .5”
• Paper clip flash drive: Paperclip function allows you to clip this item to padfolios, journals, and beyond
• Credit card size flash drives with full color imprint areas
• Eco friendly flash drives made of recycled plastic, bamboo, wood or paperboard (card board)
• And don’t forget we can load data right here in our secure facility for you.
Journal books:
• Remember waiting three – four weeks to get a beautiful journal book with a die cut on the cover and your full color information showing through the window? There is now a selection of die cut windows in square, rectangle and round that ship in one to three days depending upon the journal book size.
• Debossed journal books can ship next day!
• Full color covers ship in three days from art approval
Eco Friendly:
This category continues to grow but the products are becoming less expensive and nicer quality.
Awards:
Awards have been a growing category for us as more companies are trying to recognize their good performers. New this year:
Recycled Glass – this look is beautiful and I fell in love with it even before I realized it was great for the environment.
Checkpoint Friendly:
Don’t you hate taking out your lap top and putting it in the bin (all while taking off your shoes, phone, emptying pockets, removing your coat, etc.) Last year we saw the introduction of checkpoint friendly computer cases – just unzip the bag and it slides right down the belt with no hassle from the TSA. Many new less expensive bags emerged this year both with shoulder strap and backpack style:
Cool new tools:
Carabiner tool as low as $3.99
Good quality – heavyweight screw drivers – as low as $4.99
For Kids:
Color changing and Glow in the dark silicone bracelets will be big this year.
Silcone slapper bracelet watches (I want one of these!)
Temporary tattoos for clothing
Packaging:
We saw many examples of how customized packaging can really enhance your message. We are bringing in several samples for ideas.
Pricing:
We are seeing the good quality, fast turn vendors get into the price game with some great low prices on the items that have been around for years.
There are so many great new products – just let us know how we can help you. Or stop by the showroom. We are receiving many of the new samples every day.
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