Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

-Dylan Thomas

At first glance, this famous villanelle by Thomas appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with business cards, but compare it to T. S. Eliot's The Hollow Men, written almost 30 years earlier, and you will see an interesting pattern emerge.

Both writers encourage us to make ourselves heard, to announce our presence, and live life out loud. That entreaty comes without boundaries or conditions. Considering that Americans spend over a third of their life at work; we need to find ways to bring this philosophy into a professional environment. When done right, your business card can open doors and start conversations because that little piece of plastic is your introduction. It tells people what you're all about.

So how do you create a card that makes a bold statement? That's what this week's Plastic Printers template installment is all about.

Not with a Bang, but a Whimper

It's doubtful that a business card is a world-ending item. However; most of these cards don't leave a lasting impression on the recipient. Instead of announcing your presence, they whisper it. That whisper can get drowned out by the herald of your competitor.

Pay attention to the reaction and feedback you get on your business cards. How someone responds to its presentation and delivery can clue you in on how well you're "selling" your business.

Keep in mind; if your pocket-sized promotion doesn't promote anything or give the recipient beneficial information, they may never find out about your award-winning services, extended hours, or family-friendly activities. Why? Ask yourself if the card design you’ve chosen is sending the right message about your company and the products and services you offer.

To make sure your networking efforts don't wind up in the wastebasket, take a second look at the first impression you leave with potential customers, vendors, and clients. One of the reasons printing on plastic increases the value of your networking efforts is the cards stay pristine.

Our design team works with you to make sure that you have the exact business card to match your brand. As part of this process, we proof the card and make sure it's clean, creative, and professionally printed.

Our methodology keeps you from losing business because you went with a cheaper card template. These business cards will leave a positive impression that lingers long after the initial meet and greet. That's the kind of impression you want to focus your efforts on and invest your marketing money in.

Of course, there's more to it than just how nice your business card looks. You also need to pay careful attention to the information you put on the card. That's why our black credit card template is one of our most effective and popular designs.

The Wow Factor

To make your presence known in a roomful of business associates, you need a business card design that stops them in their tracks. This is called "the hook."

The black credit card template hooks people almost automatically. It brings them in for a closer look not only at your card, but also at your business. This card template does 50% of the work for you. Now, it's your job to reel that connection in and convert it to a lead. That conversion happens when you use marketing-oriented text.

First, think about the kind of text you're used to seeing on a business card. It
probably looks something like this:

• Visit today
• Stop by and see us!
• Customer service is our priority
• In business for X number of years

People gravitate toward useful, problem-solving information. The problem with this strategy is it doesn't offer either.

The list above leaves potential customers or clients with more questions than answers and problems without solutions. It takes more than tired phrasing and a web address to get customers interested in your business. These days, you have to get specific about what you can offer them and what they can do for you.

Try things like:

• Easy to PAY "Credit cards and competitor's coupons accepted"
• Easy to FIND "Located next to ___ in the heart of ___"
• Easy to VISIT "Walk-ins welcome. No appointment required."
• Easy to BUY "Express check-in and check-out."
• Easy to get EXPERT ADVICE "Pharmacist on duty around the clock."

These interactive slogans and taglines match the expectation you set by using the black credit card template. They briefly prioritize and outline the benefits a customer will experience when using your business.

Making a Portable Billboard

The final step is to strengthen your CTAs. The best way to approach this exercise is to think about the unique incentives and perks your business has to offer. Here are some examples:

• Present this card for a free watch battery"
• "Ask for Fred to receive your first oil change free!"
• "Log onto YourCompany.com for current discount coupons!"

This is a different way to think about drafting a business card. It's okay if perks don't come to mind right away. Feel free to brainstorm a list of ideas. It might look something like this:

• Returning phone calls in a short amount of time.
• Providing a late-model loaner car while a client's car is being serviced.
• Jewelry repair that is done on-site by a certified technician.
• Offering a complimentary two-year extension to a manufacturer's warranty.
• Including a special upgrade not typically included with your competitor's product.

Don't waste a good hook. Use the attention the black credit card template affords you to brag about your business and "outsell" the competition.

At plastic printers, we understand that business cards are an affordable and versatile marketing tool. It's our job to make sure you get the biggest self-promotion bang for your marketing budget. Download the black credit card template from our website: www.plasticprinters.com and customize it so it highlights your accomplishments.

Make every attempt to turn this business card into your own portable billboard. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact us. We have helped businesses all around the country create dynamic pocket-sized promotion for over 20 years. Our work will get you results.