I don't need business cards

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.