Make A Statement With Your Business Cards
Business cards are a pivotal aspect of the business world. They open the doors for exchanges, help create contacts and act as a representation of you when you are no longer there. A business card can be worth a thousand words if you so design it. But what many people think to be somewhat of a luxury is actually affordable and accessible to anyone with the Internet.
Business cards are thought to be the decendants of visiting and trade cards. Visiting cards made their fist appearance around the 15th century in China and the latter part of the 17th century in Europe. They were used by royalty and the upper class to remind people of their arrival. They were a tool of proper etiquette.
Trade cards came around in the early 18th century, starting out in London. They were used by tadesmen and merchants to bring people to their stores. These cards would include pictures, maps and advertisements.
Buying your business cards online puts you in the designer’s chair. There are a few key elements that business cards should have. Business cards should convey information about a company or individual. Remember, they act as a memory aid, so they should include the giver’s name, company affiliation (include a logo if applicable) and contact information such as street addresses, telephone number(s), e-mail address(es) and the website address.
There are literally hundreds of web sites online that will help you design and personalize your business cards. So, whether you are blue or a green type of person, whether you want tall or long cards, if you can imagine and design it, you can have it! Many web sites offer templates where you simply have to input your information and within seconds your business cards are done! It can be that simple and still make a great impression!
Many handheld computers, like the BlackBerry, the Trios, the iPhone, the BlackJack etc, have the ability to “beam” information. This includes electronic business cards. For many people in the business industry, the ability to beam business cards in not only a time saver, it is essential. Some of us meet hundreds of people a day. Working a room at a large function means literally stacks of business cards. If you can beam your business card to your recipient they will have you in their roladex instantly and you won’t have to risk them losing your card somewhere during the evening. Beaming business cards all but eliminates the need for the recipient to key-in contact information. It makes life a little easier, and saves some trees in the process!
So, whether you are starting a new job, or are already a player, represent yourself how you want to be seen! Order and design your own business cards in seconds and see the difference they make when you meet someone new.
