HOW TO CREATE

A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CARD^™

By: Angie Lacoste

Your business card is your `calling’ card and represents you and your image.

It ‘works’ for you when you are no longer physically present and available to `speak’ for yourself.

A great business card will set you apart from your competition

Here are my best tips for creating the perfect business card:

• Make sure your card has a recent colour photo of you. This helps others remember who you are (mind space).
• Your photo should be taken by a professional photographer and be on a clear (or white) background or the same colour as card background colour.
• Background colour of the business card should be white or light colour with sufficient space to allow others to make notes on it as soon as possible after meeting you (this is not considered to deface the card)
• Use a good, ‘clean’, easily readable font of decent size so all details are clearly legible.
• Details include:

Your Name (First name and Surname)

Strap line – a few words as a brief description of what you do to help others (this is more important than your ‘job’ title or position)

Mobile Number

Landline Number

Office / Physical Address

Email address – Register your own domain (your name or your business name) and set up your own personal email address at this domain so you look professional. (Strictly NO email addresses @gmail.com or @yahoo.co.uk etc.).

Website address (same domain name as the email address above).

• Reverse of card – plain white or light colour. NOT black or dark colour. Use this space for your message (how you can help).
• Leave some space so others can make notes when they need to do so.
• Card quality / thickness – Use a thicker quality of card – minimum 400gsm silk. The thicker the business card the greater the professional image the cards and you will portray.
• Card Finish – Matt instead of gloss to allow others to make notes using regular ballpoint pen.
• Card Size: 85mm x 55mm
• Printers – Use a good quality local printer with the infrastructure to process orders within two to three days – or one that is able to have your items shipped to you or your office in similar time frame. Where possible try to avoid using Vista Print as they advertise on the reverse of all standard priced business cards showing all of your prospective investors that your cards were printed by Vista Print (low cost) and your business cards will then not portray the image you have worked so hard to achieve.
• NB! Remember that the screen settings on individual computers and laptops is likely to vary, so colours may print ‘true’ but not exactly as you see them on your computer screen. Where exact colour is important, for instance, where your entire ‘brand’ is based on a specific colour, suggest you ask the printer for a colour swatch to ensure the correct colour and shade (known as the RAL number).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

You only have ONE opportunity to make a FIRST IMPRESSION.

Make sure your card ‘speaks’ well for you when you are not there to ‘speak’ for yourself.

Hope the above was useful.

If you have any questions or need further help please feel free to contact me.

Wishing you success in all your ventures.

Kindest regards,

Angie

Angie Lacoste

Angie@AngieLacoste.com

078 5134 6145