Give Your Business Card A Makeover

First impressions are what counts in business. So often customers make a snap judgment on your ability to provide the service they need based on what may seem to you to be trivial matters. But, how trivial are they if they keep you from landing an important account? One of the best first impressions you can make is with your business card. Yes it's true, a 3.5" x 2" piece of paper can make or break it for your future customer relations. Your business card can either speak volumes about your style, creativity, personality and know-how or it can make you look out-of-date, cheap, or even stupid. So pull out your business card and take a good hard look at it. Does it need a makeover? If so, read some tips and tricks from Entrepreneur.com on how you can revamp your business card.

1. Incorporate foil accents. These elegant accents can add an artistic flair and make your words "pop" off the cardstock.
2. Add some color. Full-color backings are popular right now. Also, depending on your industry, unique, colorful illustrations or images can leave a lasting impression.
3. Use both sides. The back of the card, which was previously uncharted territory, can be used for more than just contact details. Include a special offer, highlight your website, insert a calendar or insert an appointment slot.
4. Try hi-tech. Worried you forgot to mention important details in your last meeting with a potential client? Then leave them with a CD. Another up-and-coming way to market your business is the USB business card. Print your contact information on a USB thumb drive and share as many files and images as you want.
5. Go vertical. If you're looking for a way to stand out, try giving your layout a 90-degree turn. Crowe says she's seen more clients choosing to print vertically instead of the traditional horizontal layout.
6. Stick with a traditional size. Though our experts recommend experimenting with the layout, they say you should stick with the traditional 3.5-by-2-inch business card dimensions. That way, they fit easily into your client's Rolodex or wallets.
7. Give your card texture. Hawthorne Leather Goods LLC, which manufactures leather goods under the brand Rawlings Sports Accessories, makes business cards out of authentic Rawlings baseball glove leather. The company says recipients of the cards have an emotional response thanks to the scent and feel of the baseball leather.
8. Get social. High-school age teens venture into Staples to create social networking cards that include information like Facebook and MySpace links. If your business uses social networking as a marketing tool, consider displaying that information on your cards.