As more and more people are affected by the economic downturn, many are looking to cash in on their talents to make extra cash on the side. Others are diving in headfirst to start up their very own small business. And one key strategy to help jumpstart your business and maintain its growth is networking. Everyone doing business has to get their name and information about their product or services out there. A great way to do this is to have creative, effective business cards to leave with people you meet.

Creative, eye-catching business cards can be printed relatively cheaply. They are transferable, meaning that people tend to pass them on to others who might need your services. And, they make you directly accessible even if you haven’t setup a website yet or created printed marketing materials. We will discuss how to visually enhance your business cards so that they do their jobs.

Do’s and Don’ts for effective, creative business cards:

DO:

1. Use your well-designed logo and display it prominently.

2. Make sure your company info is correct. Check and double check your name, position, company, phone and fax numbers, website, blog, tagline etc.

3. Tell people what you do. The card should describe your business and specify why they should do business with you, instead of your competition. Use both sides if you can afford it, so that you are not cramped for space. Plus, that’s more prime real estate for marketing your services.

4. Design it. (Using a stock/template card will look just like everyone else’s card.) You can easily do this yourself. Companies like Vistaprint allow you to upload your own design.

5. Better yet, hire a professional who will make sure the card is visually balanced and typographically pleasing.

6. Your card should reflect you. When appropriate, let your personality shine through, or give people visual cues about your skills.

7. If you want to splurge, here’s a great resource that gives some great ideas which include embossing, metallic, quirky, cutouts, odd shapes and sizes, translucent, popups, textured and more. Of course be careful as some of these wouldn’t fit in standard business card holders. But if most in your industry keep their contacts in a digital format or online, then go for it!

DON’T:

1. Use cheap paper. Buy the best you can afford.

2. Get free cards with a sponsor printed on the back.

3. Make type too big or too small or plaster it over a busy photo, rendering it completely illegible.

4. Place type too close to edge of the card. This screams amateur.

Follow these tips and you will be able to network effectively and leave a good, professional first impression wherever you go. Stay tuned for more posts in the Starting a Small Business Series for web and print marketing and design tips.

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