This is the way I view new contacts in business:

1) Your prospect wants you to WOW them

2) Your prospect wants you to sell them something

3) Your prospect forms an opinion of you in the first 30 seconds

So these are the assumptions that I walk into every business meeting with. Many of us truly believe that a business card is critical to your success and without it you are toast (for lack of a better term). To a certain degree you are correct.

I would like to submit to you that first impressions are always formed from one person to another. Your business card should reflect you and what you represent in the sweetest way. But make no mistake, YOU need to make that first impression and that is not accomplished with a handshake, smile and a business card. So carefully spend time redefining your approach, want you want to sell and how you want to sell it. Try to follow this proven sales formula. We call it the AIDA formula.

Here are my 10 Tips on how to get your Business Card filed under ‘G' (garbage);

1) Print type that the size of ant's feet. Your eyes may be great but mine aren't

2) Print on perforated 10 up card templates from your ink jet or laser printer. Remember that first impression?

3) Choose colors that clash or do not compliment each other. There is a color wheel that explains 10 colors relating to each other. These colors have 3 basic relationships: Adjacent, Contrasting and Complimentary Adjacent colors share a common side and are similar. Contrasting colors are those which have three other colors between them. Complimentary colors are those on opposite sides of the color wheel.

http://www.weprintcolor.com/usingcolour2.htm

4) Use a co-worker's business card and hand write your information on it. You might be able to use this once but don't try it on your second or third meeting.

5) Print your business card with typographically incorrect information then try to patch it up. I will again, suggest that you rely on the resources at hand. For the $49 a company like ours would charge you to completely reproduce 500, professionally printed high quality, full color, aqueous coated business cards it's a no brainer.

6) Chew bubble gum, wear sun glasses or wear a beard. Although these will not necessarily get your business card discarded, statistical no no's. Also a good example of how you are first, your business card should serve as a reminder of you. In the real estate sector most real estate agents print a picture of themselves on their business card for this reason.

7) Print your business card in an irregularly large format. Your card looks unique and professional but I can't file it in my business card file system that I keep all my key suppliers in. Oversized business cards are becoming more popular and given the right circumstances can be delivered effectively. However from an overall perspective I recommend that mainstream business stick with the standard size- 2 X 3 ½".

8) Print your critical contact information on the back or on the inside of a fold over business card. For the same reason above. Once I file your business card in my file system all of your contact information should be easily read at a glance…I want to place my order now.

9) Print on thin or flimsy material. This projects a feel of cheapness. Besides if you managed to WOW your prospect and your business card makes it into his /hers wall of fame pouch it will it will likely not survive the test of time.

10) This is the final and most important for the rookie to intermediate graphic designer. Have you ever heard of looktocloseitis? Many graphic designers that develop onscreen work at a highly magnified viewing level while design and editing. Sure everything looks great at 500% magnified view but when the card is printed it is printed 100%. A good practice, before sending your business card file for professional printing is to print your own hardcopy and give it a glace from a 3 foot distance. Make sure your message is being communicated when you do this. If it is not working, back to editing and repeat the process.

Take your time and it will be worth your extra efforts. This will be reflected in the finished product.

Robert is regarded as an industry expert is print and design. Online since 1999, Robert was one of the pioneers that brought graphic design tools to the web. For online graphic design solutions visit http://www.weprintcolor.com/

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Robert is the marketing director of a leading online printing and design firm http://www.weprintcolor.com . Robert believes in an educated customer and has created a personal blog, online to help achieve this goal. Learn commercial printing and design tips from the pros http://www.weprintcolors.com

Article Source: www.businesshighlight.org