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Posted: 21 Jul 2012 02:00 PM PDT

In today's fast pace of business communication via the Internet, cellular mobile phone, iPads and other gadgets, the business card appears to be underrated as a business promotions vehicle. Not many use them anymore as it is much easier just to exchange phone numbers, and many of those who do, fail to give it its due importance. For instance, they are satisfied with a calling card design that looks like a thousand others, boring and generic. Or they cram it with too much information it looks like a politician's billboard in miniature.

If you have a business, you must understand that a business card is reflective of your business and you as the businessman. Therefore it is important that you pay close attention to your card as this is the first means of contact between you and your potential client. Following are some suggestions on how to design your business call card.

Size and shape. Business cards are meant to go into the wallet as instant source of needed contact information. So the basic dimensions of 3.5" x 2" are usually followed. But remember likewise that the card's intent is to make your potential customer remember you before anybody else. So you can make your card unique, like a different shape or outline. If you sell cars, a car-shaped card will immediately inform your client what you do, making you stand out from the pack.

Use the right paper stock. A cheap-looking card will not speak well of you and your business, as people will assume if you scrimp on your card, you would also do it in other aspects of doing business. So go for the best stock you can, but do not be gaudy or opulent. Also, if you meant to have the card's back to be writeable, choose a matte finish rather than glossy.

Put your name –plus maybe your picture– and logo in the correct sizes. The logo connects to your business and your name is the contact person. Both should be prominent enough to be read at first glance. Your picture can help your client recall you personally.

Include your slogan and several means of contacting you. The slogan should be your business philosophy that clients can connect you for, while the phone numbers, website and email addresses will be useful for those who may want to contact you. Some businessmen also include the newer platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook fan page.

Your slogan should communicate the business message, short and punchy, and unique enough to make it a memory hook for easy recall later. This can be done many ways, including punning, rhyming, playing with words, and alliteration. The objective is to make the tagline stick in the client's mind for a very long time, so he will remember you when he needs service or business along your line.

Keep it simple. Many clients now scan call cards to have an electronic Rolodex of them at their fingertips, so a simple card with easily readable text will stand out head and shoulders above one crammed with small words. The challenge is how to make the card simple yet contain the necessary information you need to impart to your potential client, so you have to be ruthless in discarding extra info, condensing those that remained, and eschewing fancy, complicated graphics and fonts.

Your business card is your 'toe in the door', but it should be from 'your best foot forward'. So make it good, memorable and simple. Otherwise, you might not even come near the door.

This article was posted by Ben who works for a Warwickshire based company Think Design and Print.

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Leveraging LinkedIn for Your Business

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 11:01 AM PDT

In the past few years social media has skyrocketed in popularity on the Internet. By 2010, Facebook beat out Google as the most visited site on the Internet. While Facebook is a great social media tool for friends and family, LinkedIn has set itself apart as the leader in social networking for the business world. While Facebook encourages users to post about all their hobbies and interests, and connect with old school chums and extended relatives, LinkedIn focuses its users toward business interests and business connections. Far from limiting the site, LinkedIn's strategy of a single minded focus on business users has created several new opportunities for them. While Google Plus may be in competition with Facebook, LinkedIn does not really have to compete against Facebook in the same way. In fact most working professionals who have a LinkedIn account also have a Facebook account – it is not an either or proposition. In addition, users who may be reticent to join Facebook due to privacy concerns may readily join LinkedIn due to its limited scope toward the professional community.

The business community can utilize LinkedIn unique ways that set itself apart from Facebook. LinkedIn also offers a number of tools to help businesses maximize their social media investment.

Networking – clients, peers, potential employers

First and foremost, LinkedIn is a great social networking medium. When meeting peers at conferences or for cocktails, it has become common practice to connect through LinkedIn on the spot through mobile devices. Finding new clients is also easier through LinkedIn than some other social media sites because their business interests are more explicit in their LinkedIn profiles that probably any other profile they have. And of course, many users of LinkedIn use their network of connections as the first place to find new employment or new hires for their company. Most people who find new employment do so through their loose connections, or in other words, through friends of friends. Since LinkedIn is essentially an online directory of all of your loose connections in business, it makes sense that this is where many people go to find new employment opportunities.

Recruitment and credential verification

Recruiting for your business has never been easier than with the business tools offered to employers from LinkedIn. Users will typically post their resume's, or at least shortened versions of their resumes, on their profile page. The advantage that LinkedIn offers over other job recruiting sites like Monster is that you can perhaps start a relationship with the person ahead of time by adding them to your social network, and by the ability to view your candidate's own social network. A user's social network can tell much about them beyond what their resume communicates. For instance, you can see what groups they are a part of, what areas of interest they respond to in posts, and what kind of relationship the candidate has with current and past places of business.

Company Profile

Through your company profile page on LinkedIn, you can promote yourself to potential business partners, customers and employment candidates. Beyond a simple web page, LinkedIn's profile features allow you to seamlessly integrate Youtube videos, Twitter accounts, Facebook and other social media into your page. You can also publish newsletters, post relevant news from other sites and post topical information. One of the best ways to attract a targeted audience is by becoming a subject matter expert on LinkedIn. This can be done by responding to relevant questions pertaining to your field of expertise. Another great way to show you are a leader in your field is by administering a user group through LinkedIn. These methods will provide you with a targeted and interested audience that is sure to grow your business.

Jason Phillips has written this post. He is a businessman and son of a railway worker. Visit this link to know more about him.

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sâmbătă, 21 iulie 2012

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