A UNIQUE CALLING CARD GENERATES CONVERSATION

Cards to present or exchange information date back to the 15th century. More than five hundred years later, business cards continue to be what is often the first opportunity to impress, alienate or engage the audience in your brand identity.
What will make yours memorable?

#1. Simplicity. Write bold, effective copy with contrasting colors that communicate what you do and how to contact you clearly and quickly.

#2. Get creative. Stand out among the stack with a custom design incorporating bright colors and spot UV, an embossed logo, or printing on plastic material.

Take a page from Lego whose employees hand out personalized mini-figures created in their likeness; is there a promotional product that would be a sure conversation starter for your business card?

Next week: everything you wanted to know about websites but were afraid to ask. (Well, almost everything.)

THE KEY TO AN EFFECTIVE LOGO: SIMPLICITY

Apple's apple, the Nike swoosh and McDonald's double golden arches are all logos so simple they transcend the language barrier to communicate an instantly recognizable brand image. FedEx's creative use of bold fonts and tight kerning has won the "hidden arrow" over forty awards, so what will help your logo stand out?


Step 1: Research the competition.
What has and hasn't worked for others in your industry, and how will yours be different?

Step 2: Choose one or two defining brand colors.
How many four-color logos can you think of?

Step 3: Find an appropriate font.
Toys R' Us and IBM are both great examples of the perfect font to visually communicate what their brand is all about.


Remember that your logo is an investment; be prepared to spend anywhere from $200-$2,000 for a standard design. Be sure to join us next time when business cards meet big ideas!