Doc's Guide to Business Cards
|| Designing a Good Business Card
|| Design Do's and Don'ts
|| Folded Business Card Style
|| Using Business Cards Effectively

Using Business Cards Effectively

Never Leave Home Without It
Remember that when you buy a stack of business cards, you're going to want to use every possible opportunity to make sure that stack dwindles down in due time. Those business cards serve no purpose just being stacked on your desk somewhere, or lying around in a drawer. The best way to utilize a business card is to make sure you have one with your reach at all times.

Keep Them Sharp
Before you start handing your cards out, do make sure that they're in proper condition. Nobody wants to be handed a bent, cracked, or roughed up business card - it makes for a bad image. So to ensure that your cards are in mint shape when handed out; keep them stored in a location where they won’t get damaged. Depending on where you’ll place your business cards, don’t just throw them anywhere you please. Keep them in a nice box, a nice shell, or anything else that’ll protect them from damage.

Storage
Now, as far as where you should keep your business cards, that’s easy. If you have a wallet, then you most likely have a slip-pouch where you can store additional cards that aren’t immediately visible when you flip your wallet open. Use that pouch to squeeze in a few cards, that way you’ll have a small set everywhere you go. Remember to refill when you run out.

Likewise, if you carry a briefcase with you, this enables you to have a much larger sum of business cards on hand everywhere you go. Briefcases also have a few pouches, and they’ll allow you to fit a larger supply than a wallet, obviously. Just one thing, if you happen to use your briefcase to keep a few business cards in, don’t just throw them in there – it’s messy and they’ll get damaged. If your briefcase doesn’t have a pouch or compartment for small sized storage, use a rubber band, clip, or small case (whatever works) to keep the cards together. The same rules apply for pocket bags, totes, purses, etc.

If you know you’re going to an event where a lot of possible clientele will be present, make sure you have some cards handy, and stick a few extra in your pockets just for good measure (but don’t over do it). Have a few cards also in your car. A good place to store them would be in the overhead glasses compartment (if available), the center console (if available), or glove compartment. And of course you have to keep cards at your office, but that’s a gimme’.

No Scribbles!
When handing out a business card, do make sure that it is up to date. Unless circumstances leave you no choice, avoid handing out too many cards that have a new piece of contact info penned in with the old scribbled out. The only time it’s acceptable to write on a business card is when you do it in front of the person you’re handing it to and you’re writing on the back of it. Most of the times you’ll be writing a direct contact number on the back of the card, or a price quote of some sort. The back of the business card is your ideal writing space when you’d like to hand something to a potential client, don’t use post-its or anything else.

Compliments
Now, business cards aren’t just about giving, but when you receive one, don’t just stick it in your pocket. Take a look at your acquaintance’s card and compliment them on it if its nice – it makes for a good impression. And always remember to thank your acquaintance when accepting the business card before putting it away.

Expand Your Reach
If you’re dealing with online orders a lot, it’d be in your best interest to include a business card with every shipment. Likewise, if you’re paying bills for your business, include your card inside the envelope – it doesn’t hurt. Essentially, what you’ll want to do is broaden your reach. If you feel like your business can benefit from this, feel free to pin-up your business cards across any bulletin boards you know around the neighborhood and further out.

Make It Useful
A tactic you can use to ensure that people keep your card for a while is to give your business card a purpose. As discussed in the other topic, a business card that has a useful backside can go a long way. Features like a list of services or a calendar are always nice. If you’re a contractor, you can always print an index of measurements and their conversions. A great feature on the back of the card are clear and legible directions that'll guarantee that your client will arrive to your location without a qualm.

Make Employees Feel Special
Generally, you’ll want to provide a company business card for all of your employees, no matter their rank. Every employee has a social group, and he/she could potentially direct a friend or family member to your services. Additionally, the card will act a novelty and give your employee a sense of purpose within your company, which drives motivation.

Doc's Guide to Business Cards
|| Designing a Good Business Card
|| Design Do's and Don'ts
|| Folded Business Card Style
|| Using Business Cards Effectively