Every great photographer knows they need a great business card. Read on to learn how to make your photography business cards stand out.
What's small, fits in a wallet, and can make a huge difference to your bottom line?
Business cards! Despite the technological age we're living in, the old-fashioned business card is still relevant. It gives your potential clients something tactile to take away from their meeting with you, and, ideally, something they will refer to later when they are ready to hire a photographer.
Because of this, it's important to invest in a card that will make an impact. Read on for five creative ways to ensure your photography business cards don't get lost in the shuffle.
If there is only one piece of advice you choose to follow, it's this: don't try to save a buck by printing your own business cards at home.
Your cards are, in many circumstances, one of your first chances to make a positive impression on potential clients. It's what they will take away with them following a consultation. You want it to reflect your style and branding, and emphasize that you're a professional.
Printing cards at home often means they will be on a lightweight cardstock. They may have edges that are not perfectly clean or straight. The ink quality may be poor.
Pay to have your cards printed by a professional printer with the right equipment to make sure you're presenting your business in the best light possible.
We know that a photography business isn't cheap to run. Lenses, cameras, computers, and software add up quick. You may be tempted to skimp on the cost of business cards and use those funds elsewhere.
Consider your business cards part of your overall marketing plan. You spend time and money marketing your business, whether that's via advertisements, professional website design, or branding. Your business cards are an extension of that.
Flimsy, poorly printed cards aren't in keeping with the name you are making for your brand. Choose a trusted printer and opt for quality, even if it costs a bit more, to ensure your cards reflect your business in a good light. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
After all, these are an investment in your business, and quality cards will pay for themselves by landing you more clients.
Here's a chance for you to show off your creative side and really stand out.
You might assume business cards need to be small, cardstock rectangles. Not so! There are a lot of options on the market today for business owners who want something completely different in a card.
Some cards are cut into unique shapes -- this could be as simple as adding rounded corners or as fancy as having a card in the shape of a camera.
Maybe you'll want a card that's a different size than standard. It could be smaller or larger than standard (although, we caution you to not go too large -- cards that can't fit into a standard wallet might get tossed).
There's also the option to emboss, stamp, or otherwise have texture added to a card.
Consider ditching paper completely and instead, go with wood, plastic, or metal. Metal cards present the perfect opportunity to create a unique card that will get your business noticed. Clients are less likely to toss a metal card, and they will hold up far better than paper when taken in and out of a pocket or wallet.
Metal cards can be stainless, gunmetal, or rose gold colored. There are options for colored enamel, die-cut cutouts, and embossed textures. There's even a card that doubles as a bottle opener -- a great way to give your card a purpose and ensure it's looked at again and again.
When designing your cards, think of it as the perfect way to advertise your photography style. Whether you design the cards yourself or commission a designer, think about using your own photography on the cards.
Don't limit yourself to one image that you really love, either. The most effective way to use this tactic to your advantage would be to order several styles of cards with several of your photos on them.
By doing it this way, you can target specific clients with different cards. Your card with the senior photo on it can go to the family with high school-aged kids, and your card with the stunning bridal portrait can go to the newly engaged couple. The gallery owner gets the card with a breathtaking fine art landscape shot.
It may cost more upfront to order different styles, but it's an effective way to make an impact when you hand out your cards.
It may be tempting to load as much info as you can fit onto a business card. After all, you're paying for the real estate, why not use it?
This can backfire, though. A cluttered design can be overwhelming to look at and might diminish the impact of the card. Opt to add only the most important, relevant information.
Include your company name/logo, your name, a phone number, email, and potentially your location if applicable. If you have social media accounts where you post your photos, use just the logo for the specific social media channels instead of the whole URL. That's enough for the tech-savvy customer.
You can tackle the design yourself or hire a designer for this. A good rule of thumb for business card design is that less is more. A clean, uncluttered card is always best.
Don't underestimate the importance of having unique, high-quality photography business cards. They are a simple tool to make a great impression on clients and land you more business.
Our blog has more great information about business cards, business card options, and the importance of a great design. Read more today and learn how to take your company to the next level with the right business card!
In this digital world, business cards may seem like an unnecessary expense and inconvenience. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Here are seven reasons you should always carry a spare business card or two with you.
The small business world is booming with a staggering 30 million organizations registered in the United States alone. This unprecedented growth is due largely in part to consumer confidence continuing to grow on the back of near-record unemployment rates.
What does all of this mean for your company?
It means that if you make bold moves and are diligent in networking, you have the opportunity to claim your ballooning chunk of the trillions of dollars a year consumers are spending on goods and services.
While there are a lot of ways to network and attract new clients, our team's favorite method is by being prepared to hand out tried-and-true business cards. Below, we re-assert the importance of business cards by sharing 7 great reasons why you should be investing in them!
Establishing trust early on with a client or business partner is essential in taking your relationship through its beginning stages and towards a profitable future. In order to establish that trust, the person you're speaking to needs to understand immediately how invested you are in your organization and that you're not another fly-by-night startup that will lose momentum in the next couple of months.
Therein lies the importance of business cards. With a business card, you show the person you're engaging with that you are invested enough in your brand to physically carry around a customized marketing piece that communicates your most vital information.
That impression will do wonders in helping propel your relationships forward.
When you meet an important business contact and tell them to go to your website to check out your information, the odds of them actually taking the time to do that are slim. Especially when you don't provide them with any physical reminder as to what your web address is.
When you physically hand somebody unique business cards, however, they need to take and look at that card. If your card gets done in a way that reflects your brand's fantastic, unusual qualities, your prospect will take note and be intrigued immediately.
That powerful brand deposit will significantly raise the odds that a prospect will look deeper into what you have to offer.
If you go to a networking event and tell everybody to go to your website, the lead magnets you're putting out into the world only last as long as people remember your web address.
Given that people's attention spans are shorter than at any other time in human history, we assure you that your magnets will lose their pull fast.
With a business card, you give a prospect your pitch, hand them your card and walk away.
Sure, there's a chance they won't follow up with you right away. Your card though will continue to sit on your prospect's desk, in their wallet or other important places for months or even years. That means, when they need what you're offering, there's always a chance they will pick up the phone and give you a call.
The importance of business cards goes beyond letting people know about your brand. They also remind you of your own goals.
Given the amount of noise we experience in our lives, it's easy to take a break from the grind of growing our businesses. When you have a handful of business cards sitting in your wallet, however, every time you open it you'll get reminded that those cards should be in prospect's hands.
That reminder can be instrumental in keeping you moving forward and being productive.
The marketing industry is worth billions. Those billions are generated on the backs of businesses who need to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to get noticed in a very cluttered marketplace.
Fortunately, not only are business cards extremely effective in reeling in targeted leads but they are also cost-effective. You'll find that when you partner with the right business card company, the conversion costs you experience with your cards will not get matched by most if not all of your other marketing efforts.
Even when you're not looking to network, sometimes fabulous opportunities present themselves to you. If you're at a birthday party or even out at dinner and you suddenly come across someone who's interested in what you do, having a business card on hand gives you the opportunity to turn your chance meeting into a lucrative relationship.
Given how lightweight business cards are, you'll never have to worry about fate passing you by again by having a few on you at all times.
Every day, people ask business owners like yourself if they can have your card. This question can be music to your ears if you have cards as it signifies a lead is interested in what you do.
It can also be an embarrassing experience if you've undervalued the importance of business cards and haven't invested in any.
Never say "no" and fumble a relationship again when someone requests your card. Get incredible, brand-enhancing cards made for your organization today!
A lot of people will tell you that the importance of business cards is dwindling in today's digital age. Our team is here to tell you that because of the digital clutter out there, business cards are more important than ever to concisely and uniquely community to prospects how they can engage with you on a deeper level.
Our recommendation is to take to heart the reasons to carry business cards we've listed above. Find a quality business card maker to create incredible cards for your organization today!
If you're looking for jaw-dropping business cards that are made out of eye-catching, durable metal, our team of experts can help.
At MetalBusinessCards.com, we've ditched flimsy paper cards and instead have focused our processes on a product that works... Metal cards. With a metal business card, your prospects will take note of your brand and share your card with their colleagues creating snowballing lead generation.
Find out more about what our team can do for your business card needs today. Contact us now for a free quote!
Do you still carry contact cards when you attend networking functions? Do business cards factor into your promotional strategy? If not, then it's time to go back to basics and invest in professional or personal business cards. Here's why they are still relevant in the digital age.
Have you just run out of business cards? Normally, you wouldn't hesitate to order another pack. But, recently you've heard some people saying that business cards are going out of style.
Is it even worth it to keep yourself stocked up on business cards? With increasing technology, it's all too easy to share LinkedIn pages and email addresses without the need for a card.
But personal business cards aren't dead yet! They still hold a valuable place in face-to-face marketing.
Do you want to know why? Keep reading to discover 8 reasons why personal business cards are still relevant in the digital age.
It's no secret that making a good first impression is vital when networking or talking to potential clients. There are many ways to make a good first impression and presenting yourself properly is one of them.
But this goes further than how you dress or how your hair is cut. Personal contact cards help complete someone's first impression of you.
A clean, well-organized card will help you look professional, while a unique card may help you seem more creative. This is vital when potential clients will have several companies to choose from.
Who is your target audience? Are they male or female? Young or old? No matter who it is, personal business cards can help you connect with them.
If your target audience is older or more traditional, know that they will still expect a business card. Showing up to a meeting without one may make you seem unprofessional in their eyes.
Even if your potential clients are younger or more technology-forward, you can create business card for them. There are tons of color, shape, and material options that can help your potential clients see how you are an out-of-the-box thinker. If you want to really wow them go for a bottle opener card or a gold metal card.
When you're starting your own business, brand awareness is important to build your customer base and get more repeat customers. There are many things that go into creating strong brand awareness, personal business cards being one of them.
When designing your personal contact card, you should include your company logo and keep the colors and design elements similar to what you use on your website and advertisements. This will help you create a cohesive brand image and build your customers' awareness.
Most of the time, we talk about how convenient technology is. That's why we send emails instead of mailing letters and save electronic files instead of using bulky filing cabinets (usually). But sometimes technology doesn't help.
Traditional business cards allow you to swap information quickly and efficiently without having to stop your conversation. If you forego business cards in favor of directly putting their email address or number into your phone, you'll have to halt your conversation to do this.
Not only can this be awkward, but it opens you up to potential mistakes. Just getting one number or letter wrong, means you won't be able to contact them. In reality, it's so much easier to just hand out a business card.
When we talk about the importance of business cards, sometimes we forget the biggest benefit of them all - they're shareable. You can leave them out on in public places or hand several out at once.
If you opt for unique card design, chances are people will want to show them with their coworkers. You'll reach a larger audience than you would by relying on face-to-face meetings to share your contact info.
"Why spend money on business cards? They'll just get thrown in a cluttered desk drawer or lost in a wallet." While it's true that business cards end up all sorts of places, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
When you give someone your email address or phone number directly, chances are it'll just get lost in their overflowing address book never to be seen again. Even if you send the first email, it'll be buried by hundreds of emails within a few weeks.
Opting for personal business cards leave a physical trace behind. They may come across your card while cleaning their wallet out or organizing their desk. This gives them a chance to remember your business and they may even shoot you an email!
Imagine you're at a networking event. Each conversation seems to end the same: "Do you have a business card?" Now imagine you're the only person out of the dozens of people your potential client has met with that says "no."
Chances are you won't come off as technology-forward, but rather unprepared. "Who shows up to a business event without a card?" they think as you quickly lose a sale. Business cards are affordable and small, so it can't hurt to carry a few with you so you seem prepared and professional wherever you go.
The importance of business cards can't be overlooked when you're just starting out. They are the easiest way to create a professional image while your website and advertising efforts are still in the works.
Let's say you show up at a business meeting with potential clients or investors. You tell them all about your startup but are empty-handed when they ask for a business card. They may begin to think that your company is fake or that you don't know what you're doing.
But having that tiny card to hand out helps to show that your business is real. They can now see that you have solid contact information and have started your branding attempts by creating personal contact cards.
You may be wondering if business cards are still important in a technology-focused world. Although technology has touched many aspects of business, it hasn't made personal business cards obsolete. As an affordable, yet important part of your success, business cards shouldn't be overlooked.
Are you ready to wow people with your business card? Check out our product page for unique business cards.
