Learn the correct business card format
Business cards can be described as little business marketing tools designed to smartly carry the contact information of a businessman or the company. Typically, the cards contain the name, address, phone number and email of the card owner.
Business card format focuses more on the positioning of card’s content rather than its design and it is essential to the holistic effectiveness of the card. How you position the information you place on your card will either attract or scare away potential customers. Below are some pointers on how you can effectively format your business card:
1. Choose your desktop formatting software
You don’t have to start from scratch. You may already have software installed on your computer that would allow you to use a pre-formatted business card template (e.g., Microsoft word has a lot of ready-to-use business card templates). Your editing options with built-in templates, however, are quite limited.
You may also purchase software designed strictly to making business cards. The advantage of using dedicated software like this is that you have more editing control and more options and room for customization.
2. Start sketching the layout
Sketch out your ideal layout on a piece of paper and then start playing around with your designing software. Take time with the design; this matters a lot.
3. Positioning and focus of the content
The name of your company and its logo should be the focal point of your card. Use a larger font size for the company name. As for its position, you can have these three options: centered, flush left and flush right.
If you want a more classic and standard look, you can opt to have the name centered; if you want a more modern design, you can have it offset to the left or to the right.
4. Arranging the content
For a more personal touch, put your name and designation, such as “Jane Doe, Marketing Director”, under the company name/title. This will tell your prospective clients right away who they are dealing with.
5. Using borders
Don’t be too crazy about creating fancy and thick borders; they will only take up space. Space is very important especially if you’re using a one-sided business card.
If you really want to have a bordered card though, a thin, non-intrusive line border should be enough.
6. Listing your products and services
If you’re using a one sided business card, you could list your services and products near the bottom of your card. Conserve space by separating each service/product with a small black dot.
If you’re trying to create a business card format for double sided business cards, then you can place all your text information on the reverse side of the card and reserve the front side for the company name, title and logo.
Up to this day, the use of business card is still one of the most cost-effective ways of advertising and promoting one’s business. A card designed with an effective business card format, will tell your potential customers sufficient information about your business and use just the right amount of information to give them an idea as to what you and your company can do for them.