The Simplest Business Card Ideas are Usually The Best

Innovative business card ideas are often misunderstood. The key message
intended for prospective customers becomes lost in radical attempts at
originality. These attempts at originality can in fact have an inverse
effect on prospective customers, invoking a deeper discussion about the
actual design and presentation of your business card, rather than how
your business can actually help others succeed. The last thing you want
to encourage when handing out your business card are more questions
about what your business does, or why you chose such an idea for your
business card in the first place. Many design and communication firms
will attempt to awe and inspire others with radical and non traditional
business card designs. Ironically, these companies exist to help you
better communicate a clear message.

To develop your business card ideas, start by creating a simple business
tag line. Grab a piece of paper and pen and start to develop a tag line
that either captures the essence of your business, or at the very least,
is a broad statement of your business vision, your goal, or something
which convinces people that you are a leader in your industry. Sometimes
called a "motto", or in more professional circles, a "competency
statement", your tag line should be short, to the point, sometimes
catchy, but always memorable. As an example, this tag line, belonging to
an enormously successful Canadian mattress manufacturer, "Why Buy a
Mattress Anywhere Else", is clear and to the point and the tag line is
an integral part of their larger marketing campaign, used across mediums
including print, television, radio and the Internet. Other tag lines are
more abstract, but memorable, such as the McDonald's campaign, "I'm
Loving It!". A tag line can be simple, as long as it can be used to
help build trust in the customer. For example, Jim Smith, Certified
Programmer, or, Eric Gibson, Professional Photographer. There is no rule
for the tag line, just keep it tasteful, positive, clear, and to the
point.
Photo images are gaining momentum among business card designs, because
people have a tendency to remember visuals over text. For example, if
you are a wedding planner, even subtle, full color imagery can be
effective to communicate a message without words and can create a
lasting first impression. You may utilize a background image of a
couple in love at the alter, a detailed and elaborate wedding hall, or a
bride in reflection decked in her bridal gown. The right image
selection can visually communicate your industry, or area of expertise,
and then encourage the card holder to read the details.

Professor Print's free online business card maker can help you develop
your business card ideas and experiment with language and presentation
using simple, point and click, web-based tools. Before you commit to
going to print, you can forward your ideas to friends and colleagues in
order to solicit their feedback and ensure your business card is one
that will not be thrown away.