History of the Business Card

                                                                                                                                                             Just like all marketing tools, business cards are ever changing but still the same.  It has always been important to have a business card that creates a great impact and makes the right impression for you and you're business.  But now, with advancements in the internet, technology and social media, the plain-old business card is no longer an effective tool.   In the early 1400's Visiting cards were first seen in China. They became such an entrenched part of the European culture that there were many rules and traditions surrounding them. Most wealthy Europeans would adorn their visiting cards with their family coat of arms and other decorations. They were, in effect, the first advertisements, though they were used as a personal badge rather than a corporate tool. 

Trade cards were first introduced in the 1600's in England. Trade cards were used to tell people how to get to a particular place used to direct customers to stores.  As trade cards became more popular, businesses began to add design features to them. They began to look more and more like mini advertisements that would distinguish the company from its competitors.

In time, people began to combine elements of visiting cards and trade cards into what we now know as business cards. For a long time in America, business cards were very bland and professional looking, which made them appear much like traditional visiting cards. Now, however, business cards are becoming more and more artistic, with more advertising formulas tied into their design.

Again times are changing, and the way business interacts with their customers and potential customers is changing too.  A new interactive web approach must be considered, even in the design and creation of a simple business card.

There are 2 keys additions you really should consider when designing your new cards:

1. Create Your Brand

If you think only big corporate names need to think about things like brand names, think again. Your brand says a lot about you and your business, and that's as true for a one person home- based operation as it is for a multinational conglomerate. Creating a strong brand for your business can help you set yourself apart from the pack and lay the right foundation for the future growth of your business.

Your brand is more than just the logo on your business cards or your business name. It is your corporate identity. An effective brand tells the world who you are, what you do and how you do it, while at the same time establishing your relevance to and credibility with your prospective customers.

Your logo is NOT your brand but your logo should allow your brand to be instantly recognized by those familiar with it. To this extent, your logo helps create and reinforce brand awareness.

The logo you create should be able to be used consistently in a variety of different media. It should be suitable for corporate letterhead and business cards, as well as for your website and corporate signage (if any). You do NOT want a confusing mishmash of logos and banners and heaven knows what else. Everything you produce needs to use the same, consistent style of logo so that, over time, your logo becomes synonymous with your brand. Instant recognition is what you're going for here, so don't dilute it by using several different logos for different purposes.

 2. Your Social Media Networks

Now that your business is on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and You Tube, it's important to get traffic to these places.  Whether you put in the full address, abbreviation, or just the symbol or icon, it's important to remind anyone who receives your business card that you can be found on these networks. Having your Twitter URL, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. on your business card is important. You want people to connect with you and interact with you after you meet, and this is done with social media. Including your Twitter URL is especially important. Having vanity URL's on all of your social sites is a great idea. Especially if these names are the same, they help contacts find you much easier.

Don't forget that a business card is a point of contact, not a brochure. It could be single-handedly be the most important marketing piece for some companies. The object is to leave a lasting impression and create a feeling of class and trust. Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and I hope that it will benefit you on your next business card design. If you're looking for a great business card printer, then check out http://www.justpressprint.net

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