What Does Business Card Etiquette Mean?

Business cards are an important marketing tool for any business owner. They are used in business meetings as an introduction and left with potential customers as a means of getting a foot in the door. People give them out when someone needs their contact information and business cards should be used often and as necessary to promote and carry on business.

But what does business card etiquette mean? Many times, a business card serves as the first impression that a potential client has of you and your business. It is therefore extremely important that the business card is accurate and that it is clean. It should be easy to read with nothing crossed off or handwritten on its surface. It reflects your personality and should exude the quality of the services or products you provide.

A business card should be treated with the respect that you would treat the person handing it to you. Don't discard it abruptly and put it down without looking at it. Read it when it is handed to you. Look at it and leave it out so that you can refer to information on it if needed during your meeting. Most times business cards are exchanged when people first meet, but sometimes circumstances don't permit that so wait until it is appropriate to do so.

Business card etiquette also says that you should never include business cards with a thank you note or a congratulatory letter or other personal note. It should not be given out at a funeral or other serious events where people's thoughts are on entirely different subjects. If someone asks you for your card then it is permissible - but otherwise keep them in your pocket.

Always be prepared with enough business cards - including extras - when attending any type of business meeting, conference or seminar. Chances are there are going to be additional people there that you had not anticipated. If you do, however, run out of cards, make sure that you get the contact information for the people who did not receive one and have a card sent to them afterwards.

It's important to resist the temptation to just hand out your business cards en masse at certain events. Remember, proper timing is critical along with handing them out at appropriate meetings and venues. Your company's reputation and your own reputation may suffer if you attempt to "do business" at the improper time and place.

Color Card Administrator is the parent company of PrintBusinessCards.com and several other innovative business card websites. Give us a call today at 858-522-9335 or email at Author@CardAdmin.com. We look forward to discussing your comments, suggestions, or hearing any ideas for future article topics you may be interested in regarding business card design or business card management or Online Business Cards.

What Does the Future Hold for QR Codes?

With QR Codes starting to pop up all over the place, what does the future hold for these unique marketing tools? Ingenuity and technology are hand-in-hand with this type of advertising and it seems to be the wave of the future for advertisers and marketers. The options are limitless with how QR Codes can be used, so let's look at a few examples that get the message across in a fun and engaging way.

QR Codes Come to Life

With so many people on the go it is hard to stop and "smell the roses" so to speak -but if you have an eye-catching poster or print ad with a Quick Response Code and a smart tagline that grabs people's attention, they will take the time to check it out by scanning the QR Code and then seeing what is being offered or promoted. It could be a video, a photo, or an informational message, but the point is to get someone to take notice - after all that is primary reason for advertising in any form.

Interesting Ways to Share Information

QR codes are sharing information with us by transferring us from the print world to the digital/cyber world. It seems that the blending of these two powerful mediums is the wave of the future. Quick Response Codes can be placed on any kind of product from t-shirts to magazines, or a souvenir mug - and provide us with a chance to look at more information on our smartphone or other handheld Internet capable device such as the iPad or Xoom. It is fast, easy, and also fun to "explore" with this new technology. It provides a great way to be entertained while at the same time informing customers and potential customers about a particular product or service offered by a particular company.

Other Ways to Use QR Codes

With people on the go it is worthwhile to have QR Codes full of information at train stations or city bus stops to let people know the schedule. A magazine can provide an entertaining video simply by embedding it into a QR code within a printed ad. A food store or restaurant can offer QR codes that will provide nutritional information about different products or dishes being offered. Restaurants can also create Quick Response Codes that offer special pricing, discounts, or incentives too.

The future is wide open for Quick Response Codes. It will be interesting to see how they will be developed and used over the course of time.

Color Card Administrator is the parent company of PrintBusinessCards.com and several other innovative business card websites, we're eager to share with you what it is we do. Give us a call today at 858-522-9335 or email at Author@CardAdmin.com or follow us on Twitter @pBusinessCards. We look forward to discussing your comments, suggestions, or hearing any ideas for future article topics you may be interested in regarding Online business cardsdesign or business card management.

Which Employees Need Business Cards?

Traditionally business cards were given out to executives and other select personnel depending on their role in the business or organization. But more and more companies – particularly small businesses with just a few employees – are finding that it pays to provide all or most of the employees with personalized cards.

Since business cards are an excellent marketing tool – and a very inexpensive one – they can be used as a form of advertising because employees tend to pass out their cards not only to legitimate business contacts, but also to friends, family, and acquaintances because it gives the recipient their contact information. This in turn can create new customers. It is a natural referral system that often develops into concrete business prospects.

Business cards can also help the business owner from the employee's standpoint because it creates good will. It shows the employee that their services are respected and deemed to be important to the business. It also tells them that their job future seems more secure. Everyone likes to have confidence in their abilities and their future prospects, so it is a win-win for everyone.

Many business owners have difficulty determining who should get cards and who shouldn't. Generally cards are given out to those who have direct contact with customers or potential ones. But what about the receptionist who not only answers the phones but is the first contact with any visitors? Often these people are in a position to make a positive – or negative – impression of the company so it is important that they be given business cards to pass out to anyone that visits the company with an appointment or without one.

Small business owners and their employees generally have to wear many hats to keep the company going so it is almost imperative that all employees have their own business cards. They are often in a position to meet the public or potential customers during the course of their daily activities, either at the business or outside, when they are making deliveries or running errands – or even just going to lunch.

Overall – purchasing business cards for all employees is a relatively small investment that has the potential to pay big dividends for your company. It serves a dual role. It's a great way to reinforce the fact that you believe and support your employees, which generates a positive atmosphere within your business. Giving your employees cards also has the potential to bring in more business and more customers for your business too. It's definitely worth the investment!

Color Card Administrator is the parent company of PrintBusinessCards.com and several other innovative Real Estate Business Cards website, we're eager to share with you what it is we do. Give us a call today at 858-522-9335 or email at Author@CardAdmin.com for Online Business Cards. We look forward to discussing your comments, suggestions, or hearing any ideas for future article topics you may be interested in regarding business cards design or business card management.

Why Google Reviews are Important to You and Your Company

Satisfied customers are what successful business is all about. All companies want to please their customers, not only to ensure that they will come back, but also so they will also tell others about their positive experience and spread the word about their positive experiences with your company. This in turn makes new clients want to have the same good experience. Word of mouth referrals are a powerful, priceless marketing tool for any business.

With the advent of the Internet and the rise of social media, word of mouth is now carried out on a global scale. There are many websites now that exist simply for the purpose of allowing Internet users to have the ability to state their opinion about a particular business, service, or product. Google reviews have become the gold standard for a business. Reviews placed through Google are considered to carry a great deal of weight and confidence. Since everyone uses Google to research when they are looking for a particular type of product or service, those reviews are seen frequently - good or bad. Google has high standards so a review placed through Google Local, Google Maps, or another section of their system is read by potential customers because they value the feedback from this source. Often times, it seems the only feedback you get as a business owner is the negative feedback. But, when a customer gives you positive feedback, encourage them to take an extra couple of minutes and write it up on Google. If necessary, offer some type of incentive to them (most of the time, this isn't necessary). But, this pro-active approach will do your company a world of good in boosting a positive online presence.

Google reviews are displayed with relevant search engine results too, so it can have a great influence on potential customers. Potential customers then read the reviews and it has the ability to influence people to opt for your business over others. Sometimes potential clients are unsure of which company to choose and good reviews from satisfied customers makes all the difference and ensures that their choice is easy to make.

One source says that 25% of search results for the world's top 20 largest brands are links to user-generated content. 34% of bloggers post opinions about products and brands. The power of customer reviews posted on the web is extremely high. Don't know what Google reviews are? You can check out our reviews here as an example

As a business owner, you can ask customers to provide feedback to Google and explain the process to them. This is an extra step for them but often people are quite willing to share their positive experience. You could print up something with the Google review information on it to make it easy for them when they check out or pay for the service or product provided in your store. You can also ask colleagues at business meetings or other local business owners and customers to share their feedback on Google. As a business owner, every way that you can boost your sales is always positive – and a good review on Google is what it is all about!

Color Card Administrator is the parent company of PrintBusinessCards.com and several other innovative Real Estate Business Cards website, we're eager to share with you what it is we do. Give us a call today at 858-522-9335 or email at Author@CardAdmin.com for Cheap Business Cards. We look forward to discussing your comments, suggestions, or hearing any ideas for future article topics you may be interested in regarding online business cards design or business card management.

Business Card Branding Mistakes

What's important to include on your business card? Should you stick to the traditional information most companies have or mix it up a little and create a business card that's unique and stands out from the competition?

Learn more by reading our recently published article, "Branding Mistakes Related to Business Cards."

Proper Business Card Etiquette

What are the unspoken "rules" for when to give out business cards? These tips will help you avoid making a mistake that may adversely affect your reputation and potential business for your company.

Read the entire article that was published recently at Ezine Articles and learn some tips you may not have known about proper business card usage.

Google Reviews - What are Customers Saying About Your Business?

Online reviews carry a tremendous amount of referral weight these days. What are customers saying about your company or your products and services? It's important to stay on top of your Internet presence. Read more about Google Reviews and learn a few tips.

How Well Do You Know Your Customers?

It's an important question. If you're a business owner, in management, or seek to be a business owner - you need to be able to answer that question in an effective, relevant manner. Learn more about this subject by reading our article, "Consumer Buying Behavior - Do You Know Your Customers?"

Pay It Forward

At CCA, we're thankful to be in business and be in a position to offer assistance to non-profit organizations when we have the ability. Recently, we were able to help out the Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego. Read more about it here.

Photo courtesy of Dannerzz's Photostream via Wikipedia

Final New Article of the Week

Finally, here's our last offering for the week. This article is titled, "Business Cards Make Good Sense for Job Seekers" and it is loaded with great tips for those folks who are currently looking for new employment.

Check it out:

"You could easily swing the vote in your favor with something as simple as a personal business card. A personal business card can have the usual contact information on the front of it with your name, address, e-mail, website, and phone numbers - as well as social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. But you can dramatically change your card to include a mini resume on the reverse side listing your degrees, certifications and other unique characteristics that make you the most qualified for the job you are interviewing for. You can even personalize these cards for each interview to ensure that the information about your qualifications is perfectly suited for each company and position."

Read more!

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Another New Article from CCA

Here's another new, fresh article that we just published. Let us know what you think of it. We would enjoy hearing from you.

This article is entitled, "Punch Cards Create Customer Loyalty" - here's a little snippet:

"Punch cards have been around a long time and are often called customer loyalty cards as they create as easy way to get repeat customers coming back to purchase a car wash or a latte so that when you have purchased ten you get a free car wash or a free cup of coffee. These loyalty cards do not really offer something for nothing as you have to keep coming back in order to qualify for the free product or service - but businesses use these cards because often a person doesn't just buy the coffee when they get their card punched. Customers may purchase a pastry or muffin to go with it, so they are spending more than the price of the coffee."


Read more!

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Check Out Our Latest Article: "Made in America - Why That is So Important"

At Color Card Administrator, we're working hard to create relevant, intriguing articles for business professionals and entrepreneurs. We hope you'll find these articles to be helpful. Here's a snippet of one of the latest articles we've published:

"In today's tough economy it is more and more important that we support the USA by buying products that are made here so that we can support the jobs here in our own country. It takes a little bit of effort but all you have to do is look a little further on a label or package to see where it is made. Often a product that is made in the USA is competitively priced with products made elsewhere so that is an even better reason to purchase USA made products."

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-opportunities-articles/made-in-america-why-that-is-so-important-4463501.html#ixzz1HdrR8AnG
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Color Card Administrator Announces the Ability to Order 250 Business Cards

Color Card Administrator is pleased to announce the ability to now order business cards in quantities of 250 now from all of their websites.

"250 card quantities are great for new entrepreneurs and for those occupations that don't require heavy business card usage. With new business startups, ordering 250 business cards will save them a few bucks in start up costs, but still give them high quality, professionally designed and printed business cards along with our superior customer service experience," says Gayle Hawks, President of CCA.

So, if you're looking to order new business cards for your new business start up, we encourage you to check out all of the great offerings at CCA's flagship website, PrintBusinessCards.com.

The great looking image used above for this post belongs to Kirsty Pargeter, who is one of the Featured Artists for Color Card Administrator. We encourage you to check out Kirsty's great (and always growing) portfolio of professionally designed business cards.

CCA is "Getting Busy" in Google Rankings

Okay, it's time for a little shameless self promotion. We don't do it very often, so that makes it okay...right? :)

We've been working hard recently on some various SEO strategies and we're pleased to say that it is working! PrintBusinessCards.com now shows up on the first page of Google results for the term "Business Cards". Can we just share that, while it might sound trivial to many folks who read this, it's an incredible accomplishment. That silly term, "business cards" is an incredibly competitive term. Best of all...we're ranking there organically (not via Paid Search).

So yes, we're proud of it! Thanks for letting us bask in our self-promotion for a moment. Okay - now we're off to keep working hard.

Thanks!

CCA's Latest Press Release Gets Some Great Coverage

CCA's latest press release regarding the exciting new launch of the Easy Card Designer System is getting some awesome coverage. We've been featured on MSNBC's website and Yahoo Finance. We're hopeful that it will be seen on even more well-known, well-respected websites shortly. We're also confident that we'll see a boost in sales for the members of our Featured Artist Community.

Curious about joining our Featured Artist Community? Take a moment and visit our website that's dedicated solely to our artists at TheArtofBusinessCards.com to learn more.

Advantages of Two Sided Business Cards

Just about everyone carries a business card today no matter if you are a chef, a gardener or a dog trainer - even if you are a small business owner who works out of his home. It makes it easier to give someone your telephone number or email address without having to write it down. Business cards can be used for far more than just supplying a name and contact information and your website or Facebook account information.

Business Cards Can Be Multi-Purpose

For the gardener or the chef or even the dog trainer, they usually have to make appointments to carry on business. Likewise a hair dresser or an electrician has to make appointments - so why not use the reverse side of the business card to jot down the appointment and give to the customer? Doctors and dentists of have been using two sided business cards for years but it is now catching on that the small business owner can do the same thing!

Showcase Your Services

Another terrific idea to use for the reverse side of your business card is to list the types of services that you specialize in. A gardener can say that there is weekly or monthly maintenance and tree removal services. A dog trainer can say he holds classes for age groups or specializes in a particular method of training. The chef might have cooking classes that you are not even aware of until you see it on the back of the business card!

Market Your Wares

The blank space on your business card's back side is ideal as a place to advertise! It is a golden opportunity not to be missed so you should take advantage of it. Use the space to make people aware of ALL of your services. A client might not know the extent of your services or product lines unless you make them aware of them. It is an inexpensive marketing tool that will surely increase your sales and will definitely lead to new customers. Find a great business card printer who specializes in two-sided business card services. It is an easy way to advertise and keep people informed about your business.

Gayle Hawks is President of Color Card Administrator (CCA). CCA is comprised of a combination of online industries involving cheap business card, stock photography, and e-commerce business cards software licensing. to

Personal Cards Don't Have to be for Business

Business cards are an important staple in the business world as a means of communication and introduction. This extends into the small business community and self-employed where just about any business owner has created a card to market his or her business.

When Business Becomes Personal

But business cards don't just have to be about business. They can also be personal. Most people today communicate via email or their cell phones for text messaging as well as phone conversations. Whether you are a student, a housewife or a clerk in a drug store you probably use these means of communication – and you probably should have a personal business card so you can easily transmit this information to others.

Personal Cards Introduce Your Information and You

Like calling cards of days gone by when people left their cards in a tray when they visited, personal cards have become a form of introduction and a means of relaying personal information without writing it down on a scrap of paper. Everyone has a phone number - sometimes more than one - along with an e-mail address, a Facebook or Twitter account and often their own website whether they have a business or not.

Unlike a scrap of paper that is easily lost, a personal card is more distinctive especially if you use color or a graphic that stands out in the crowd. It is a great means of communication when you meet someone new or want to establish your identity to someone.Personal business cards can also display other information about you if you have a part-time business like a band or that you belong to a biking club or other activities.

Keep in Touch With Your Personal Card

Personal cards are a means of keeping in touch with friends and when you meet someone new, it is so easy to hand them a card rather than explain everything or try to find a pen or piece of paper. If you are looking for a job, it is a great way to introduce yourself to a prospective employer who should be impressed that you have your own personal business card.

Use a Photo on Your Business Card

Some might think that having a photograph on a business card is a little bit hokey – especially when it is a picture of you. But in some businesses, having your photo on your business card is an essential part of doing business. Other types of photos can also be used and might be more representative of the business that you are in - such as photography or a fishing boat charter business so you might have a photograph that represents the business rather than you.

A Photo Showcases Your Business

People have more confidence in your abilities when they see a photograph on your card because they like what they see. Realtors almost always have a photo of themselves on the card that readily identifies them for clients and potential customers. This will reassure people rather than put them off because people want to be comfortable with who they are doing business with.

A photographer might specialize in child portraits so that type of photo should be shown on the business card. If the person is a wildlife photographer you might see a photo of a lion or the other types of animals that he most often photographs. A charter boat owner or limousine company might show a photograph of his boat or limo on his card so the client knows exactly what he is going to be using.

First Impressions Are Important

A business card with a high quality photograph makes a great first impression and is always an important means of attracting new customers. Quality counts and if you take the time and effort to portray yourself and your business in such a positive way it will be worth the effort as business cards are usually the first things that a potential client sees – sometimes even before you have met. Photographs are great marketing tools that should enhance your business and attract customers while it shows off who you are and that you care about images as well as succeeding in your business.

So take a look at your business and decide if a photograph on your business card might not be a good idea for you and for your business. It is certainly worth looking into. It's not hard to find an online business card printing company that features photo business card services. Photo business cards are easy to create using the simple to use Card Editor at PrintBusinessCards.com.

Author Detals: Gayle Hawks is President of Color Card Administrator (CCA). CCA is comprised of a combination of online industries involving business cards, stock photography, and e-commerce Professional business cards software licensing.

Color Card Administrator Launches New Revenue Producing "Easy Card Designer" System

SAN DIEGO, CA (3/14/11) Color Card Administrator (CCA), recently contracted to handle the business card processes for Annex Brands, today announced "Easy Card Designer;" a full-service business card design and e-commerce platform, designed to allow small and large businesses to offer online business card design and ordering through their websites.

Perfected over a 2-year beta test period, Easy Card Designer lets businesses set up a vendor platform and accept business card orders designed online in a few simple steps with virtually no effort.

Customers can design a card choosing from tens of thousands of card templates made available from the world's largest business card design community, TheArtofBusinessCards.com.

"We know through research that a majority of customers who order business cards also purchase other core products and tend to become repeat customers. By implementing Easy Card Designer, business owners are able to offer a value added service without the burden of processes related to ordering, printing and delivery of business cards," says Gayle Hawks, President of CCA.

In addition to being rolled out with Annex Brands, Easy Card Designer is currently being used by other independent and franchise owned companies such as Franchise Services (Sir Speedy / Pip Printing), UPS and Proforma.

To implement Easy Card Designer requires no investment. The profit generated from each customer transaction is shared between CCA and the licensee, while the licensee retains the sole rights to all registrations.

"Easy Card Designer is truly a win-win, turn-key solution. Besides providing businesses with a blazing fast method to generate additional revenue, we are also helping them expand their customer base by gaining new customers on the Internet," says Gayle Hawks.

For more information, visit www.easycarddesigner.com

About Color Card Administrator (CCA)
CCA is a leading global provider of business card design solutions and related vendor platforms. Established in 2002, CCA currently provides business card related services through its websites and licensees. The company is headquartered in San Diego, CA. The new Easy Card Designer system is already the business card system of choice with several large organizations.

Check Out Our Newest Category: Wind Energy Business Cards

We're working hard to create new categories for exciting occupations and services. Wind Energy is one of our newest categories and we think you'll be pleased with the great looking business card templates that our Featured Artist Community has created so far. Check back often to see more new templates. Don't see what you're looking for? Let us know and we'll get our artists on the job designing a card specifically for you and your company! NO ONE ELSE can do that for you!