Yes Business Cards may be considered a more traditional advertising and networking tool and some would even say are quickly being replaced by digital tools like social media websites.  But many owners of companies both large and small see that the printed marketing tools like business cards are still one of the best ways to connect with people - with an effective design that is.

Did you know that business cards are one of the few things people actually hold on to when they are received?  And in some places, like Japan for instance, they are treated with a great deal of respect.  It is considered rude to just receive one and just stuff it into your pocket.

Now if yours are in the 95% of business cards which are ineffective and just not memorable then you could consider enhancing them with some interesting features.  Before you do however, you should make sure that your cards include all of the basic information, such as location, phone number, website addresses and really any way in which you want to be contact by a client or potential client.

Here are three quick ways you can enhace your business cards to be more effective:

• Use bold colours

Colours really do help business cards stand out, just make sure you are consistent across all your branding channels.

• Use a different shape

Your imagination is really the only limiting factor here as die-cutting has come of age and is now available to everyone.

• Include new technologies such as quick response (QR) codes to link to videos, web pages or other digital media.

Have you heard of QR codes?  They are a pretty cool concept.  someone with a digital device like an iPhone can scan a QR code and get all kinds of information on the spot about that product or service.  Including purchasing it (if you have the technology setup of course)

There just a few quick ways to make your traditional business cards more effective in the digital age.

Hope this helps,
Mark