It is difficult to imagine anyone owning a business today without also owning his or her own business card. They are the most useful and the cheapest form of advertising there is. They also make a good first impression as they build name recognition. Most business people will have a logo designed and then put the logo on their free business cards along with the company's name and contact information. The logo will then be used on stationary, invoices, and even on the building too. Having a logo and card has become synonymous to good business today and that is why people pass their free business cards out regularly.
Giving free business cards away is especially useful when meeting and greeting new prospects, or when making new contacts. This is because they give the prospect all of the information they need to make contact after the initial meeting. In fact, business cards has been used for this purpose for so long now, that people have come to expect they will receive one during an initial meet. Not receiving one almost makes the business owner seem inexperienced.
What we recognize as the business card today actually began its journey in France. It was called the 'Visiting Card' back then and it quickly became popular. This thick piece of paper was about the size a playing card and visitors would use them for everything from a promissory note to leaving each other various types of messages. As time progressed however, the visiting card evolved into other types of greeting cards and then finally into the business card as we know it today. Even the King of France endorsed their use. The royalty would use them to introduce themselves to foreign diplomats and other dignitaries.
In the past, purchasing business cards was quite an ordeal. First, you had to look through a big book and choose a font type, a font size, and the paper. Then, the cards had to be ordered. After a couple of weeks, you could go pick them up and hope the printer did not make a mistake. All of this was a long and time consuming process. Then, you had to be sure to reorder your free business cards before you ran out. If not all this were bad enough, they were expensive. It was such a hassle albeit a necessary one just to order them. Then things changed.
Software was developed and it gave people the flexibility to design and print their own cards using a personal computer. Many people in businesses took advantage of this. It was like having free business cards. They would conveniently print them any time. Not to mention this method was cheaper after the initial investment. Once they own the software, all that was needed is to buy the paper occasionally. This method worked fine for a while. However, the cost of the paper started going up, printers would jam, and the outcome was beginning to be less professional. Another solution was called for.
Places on the Internet like BusinessCardsUSA dot Net rose to the occasion and provides companies with an affordable solution to their BC needs. They can print 500 cards for as little as $1.99 and then immediately ship them out. Sometimes they offer free business cards as part of a package deal. So be sure to look for specials. Companies have an affordable solution that is both fast and convenient when they want to give free business cards out. No longer do they have the expense of going to a print shop or the hassle of printing the cards themselves.
The secret to using them is to give your free business cards out at every opportunity. That means at trade shows, conventions, and even at parties. The more the cards circulate the faster the company's name will become recognized. Also, do not be shy about giving them out to the same people more then once. Sometimes they will lose the card or forget who gave it to them. So keep passing them out until your market is saturated with your cards. It is an effective way to keep your company's name out there. Check out Business Cards USA and see how affordable it is for you to give out free business cards every day.
