You Can Easily Make Your Own Business Card, as Long as You Follow a Few Rules.

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If you want to make your own business cards, you can either use a basic program like Microsoft Word, a more advanced graphic program such as FreeHand or Illustrator -- or simply use the free online templates to make your card.

Here are some basic rules to help you make a card that works for your business ...

What's the Purpose of Your Business Card?

Your own business card should answer three questions that your prospective client has when you begin your business card "exchange."

1. Who you are?

2. What do you do?

3. How do I contact you?.

That's it.

Some people create business cards and want to tell the whole story about their business, their life, their kids names, their birthday, every product they sell ...

It's not to make a quick sale and it's certainly not a mini-brochure with a bunch of bright pictures.

Simply, give them the basics and tell them how you (and your business) will be beneficial.

Example: John Doe, "Saving Time Through Organization."

Yes, it's part of the sales "process" because it creates an exchange with you and your customer. It's the beginning of, hopefully, a profitable relationship.

The design on your card will force the person to make a judgement about your business in a matter of two seconds, at the most.

Will he stick it in his wallet? Will she put it on the dashboard of her car ... ready for the next cleaning to get it in the trash?

Keep it Simple

The clearer you can make your card, the easier it is for your prospect to find you when she's ready to buy.

If it's cluttered with fancy images and hard to read text, it'll be forgotten until it hits the garbage can.

I typically design cards with no more than two colors, three if your logo already consists of two colors. The text (your name, number and all important information) should always be in black or dark blue (which will probably look black when it gets printed anyway).

There are exceptions to this rule, and if you can create an eye-catching design that really works and helps draw attention to your information, then go for it.

But more often than not, too much is ... too much.

Keep it simple.

Paper stock is important

Even though "they" tell us we're not supposed to, we will judge a book by it's cover.

If you use cheap, flimsy paper for your business card, you will force your prospect to make the following, probably unfair, judgement and have the following thoughts ...

"You're cheap, inexperienced, and don't have the resources to get the job done. Do you even know what you're doing?"

Yes, a little harsh. But it's reality and perception is everything.

A heavier stock of paper simply gives a little more strength to your card. And if your card has strength, your business will have strength (with regards to perception).

Paper stock is typically measured in a weight of pounds. I recommend a 100 pound cover stock, which you'll find if you make your own business card at one of the better online printers.

I also prefer a matte finish, which is a dull, "non-glossy" stock. Glossy is best for images you'll find in a brochure and may make your card look a little less professional.

It's a business card, not a birthday card

There is nothing worse than a business card that has so much information that it needs to be printed on the front and the back. The chance of someone looking on the back of your card is slim - unless it lands face down on the way to the trash.

And when he goes to clean out his wallet, what do you think goes first? The card taking up the most room.

Keep it simple.

Final Thoughts

Handing out your business card is not the end of your work or an easy shot to bringing in more cash instantly (it would be nice, but it doesn't happen.)

You've got to always be on your toes and attempt to get as much information as possible FROM the person you're giving your card to. Asking simple questions and asking for permission to follow up (with a non-salesy approach) will generate a positive lead you'll be able to follow up with.

At the very least, it will make it much easier for the person to remember you when you pick up the phone or send out more information about your business.

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