Business Card Expert Interview
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 A Candid Look at Business Cardsby Christopher J. Brunner This interview, conducted by Brooks Donner of Expert-Matters.com, takes a candid look at business cards and how to effectively use them. http://www.expert-matters.com/business-cards.htm E-M: What is your current position as it relates to our topic of business cards? Chris: I am the owner and developer of GreatFX Business Cards, an online print shop offering free do-it-yourself online design. I have written several published articles on the topic of business cards. I've been a part of the multi-billion dollar print industry since 2002 with a focus on business cards starting in 2003. Since then, I've sifted the internet almost daily for information on the topic of business cards. E-M: What are some of the different types of business cards available today? Chris: You would be amazed at what innovative advertising strategies there are for business cards. For instance, chocolate business cards can be custom made and used to promote your business. Business cards come in all shapes, sizes and materials. This includes wood, metal, plastic, paper, leather, magnetic, folded, laminated, coated, uncoated, die cut, glossy, semi-glossy, matte and more. My company specializes in glossy coated, raised print, digital color, magnetic and folded business cards. E-M: Is one type of business card more popular than others, and if so, why? Chris: Out of the business cards I offer, glossy coated are the most popular although raised print has seen a recent increase in popularity. I think people like the glossy because it stands out from plain paper cards. You get the high-resolution color print (photo quality) that is more likely catch someone's eye. This is the best type of card for the general small business owner because it is sleek and elegant without being expensive. Raised print business cards are ideal for professionals like lawyers and accountants... where a flashy color card is just too much. A raised print card is suitable for any business owner on a budget. E-M: Is one style or design of business cards more effective than others, and if so, why? Chris: Yes, I think business cards with printing on both sides are the most effective. If a card is extremely unique or rare (laser cut metal or chocolate for example) it may have a better chance of marketing success... but unique and rare comes with a price! In order to be effective on a budget, a person should plan ahead for what content to include on the card... like developing a list of problems they solve for their clients or developing a coupon/discount offer through use of the business card. All of this information can be printed on the backside of your cards, giving you more bang for your buck. Success on a budget means making your business card a valuable resource for you and your clients. E-M: Is there an advantage to purchasing business cards online versus offline? Chris: Absolutely. In the print industry, low prices are in the numbers. The more cards you can print in a day, the cheaper you can offer the cards to customers. I compare it to Wal-Mart's business plan... buy lots of food and goods in bulk for a low price per unit and pass the savings on to consumers. Thus, an online printer can almost always beat a local press's price through sheer numbers. With the advent of online business card design technology, more and more people are coming online to order their newest business cards without leaving the office! It's convenient and hassle free. E-M: What is the biggest mistake people make when choosing business cards? Chris: Not making the business card useful. It only takes a few minutes of brainstorming to come up with something useful that will benefit your customers. This will give you an advantage over your competition, who probably didn't take the time to create something useful for their clients. Set the standard... be the leader! Use the backside of your business cards to advertise! E-M: What advice do you share with individuals who are interested in buying business cards? Chris: I truly feel that I offer fantastic bang-for-your-buck products so first I ask you to consider my company for your business card needs. If you prefer to shop around, my advice is to make sure you compare apples to apples when shopping prices or getting quotes. Some things to note and compare are materials, print styles, thickness, color usage, coatings, print quality and price. E-M: Any final thoughts? Chris: Business cards are fascinating to me because they carry such huge potential yet are one of the most underutilized marketing tool out there. I don't think people realize that their business card is a direct reflection of who they are and the business they run. An unprofessional business card conveys an unprofessional message. Get ahead of the competition and order professional business cards today! Copyright © 2006, GreatFX Business Cards. All rights reserved. |
© 2003-2008 GreatFX Business Cards, LLC. All rights reserved.
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