"10 Steps to a Stupendous Business Card"

 1. Use both sides! When I got my new cards printed recently, it was  only an extra $20 per thousand to get the back side printed.  Imagine--you've just doubled your opportunity to communicate with a  potential client. What should you put on the back? How about 

* A list of your services  
* Testimonial quotes from pleased customers  
* Something useful--like a calendar or tip table  
* Your bio 

 2. Make sure your card says something about you. There are a lot of  boring business cards out there. Why? Probably because someone  started a business, and "Get business cards" was one of the items on  their "to-do" list. But don't just do it (apologies to Nike)--put  some thought into it. Make it unique, creative, and indicative of the  special qualities you bring to your business. 

 3. Make the important information easy to find. Don't bury that  phone number in a cluster of print. Make it stand out. 

 4. This sounds like common sense, but make sure it's clear what you  do. I stopped at my local Chamber of Commerce this week to pick up  some business cards. Let me give you some sample business names, and  see if you can guess what these people do:  

* Your One Stop Shop  
* The Branches  
* ImageLoop  
* Go Forth Enterprises 

 Please, folks, don't make it hard for people to do business with you! 

 5. Emphasize the benefits of doing business with you. Whether it's  in a tag line under your business name or in a list, make sure you  tell prospective customers what they'll get from doing business with  you. 

* Features=qualities of your product or service  
* Benefits=what those features mean to your client 

 6. Don't be road kill on the information superhighway: Include your  web site address and e-mail address on your card. This should always  be included--just like your phone number. 

 7. Announce your USP. That's your Unique Selling Proposition. You  should have one, and you should proclaim it loudly and proudly on  your business card. It's what makes your different from your  competitors. Whether it's price, product, location, guarantee, your  personality, or something else, there should be something that makes  you stand out. 

 8. Include your logo. All of your business materials should  establish a recognizable image for your business, so make sure that  your business card matches your letterhead and brochures. You may be  sick of it, but your prospects aren't. Remember the Law of  Seven--someone needs to see your name at least seven times before  they will try to do business with you. Having a consistent company  image makes it that much easier to make an impression. 

 9. Do something really different. Use a picture business card. Or a  phone card. Or a card shaped like a pencil or a key or a computer.  You want people to notice and remember you. Don't be stodgy just  because that's what you've always done. Try something new! 

 10. Pass out your card! Try this: Hand a card to everyone you speak  to tomorrow--tellers, cashiers, servers. You'll be amazed how many  people that is! Also, include a couple in the envelope each time you  pay bills or send invoices or thank you notes to clients. Leave them  on bulletin boards in cafes and laundromats. Leave them everywhere! 

 Best wishes! 

 Looking for new clients? Need help polishing your marketing pieces?  Want to try a press release? I can help! Contact me Wrdwrks@aol.com  or 407-726-0104 if you need copy for a brochure, web site, sales  letter, ad, press release, or any other business communication. 

 Word Works Copywriting Service  Lisa Bryan  http://www.wrdwrks.com  (No longer a working link)