I have spent many hours in February entering business cards into a spreadsheet for one of my clients. The stack of cards was several inches high, and since data entry doesn’t take all that much mental focus, I did a lot of thinking.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve had this type of project, but this time the caliber of cards was really interesting to me. I think it’s because the longer I’ve been in business, the more it puzzles me why people even bother to print off some of the cards I come across.
I saw several cards with those perforated edges that were printed at home, on a very lightweight stock that I wouldn’t even call cardstock. I would estimate more than half did not use the back side of the card, which is just crazy to me. Why not use half of the real estate of your business card to include a marketing message, service list or something. Anything. Wait, I take that back. One of these cards really made me lose focus - to the point that I had to pause my timer.

The card was a plain white perforated one and had no mention of a business name. Just a woman’s name, phone number, email address and website address. On the back of the card (which I was checking for additional notes to enter in the spreadsheet) was written “the red head”. In all small letters, and it was actually part of the card, it wasn’t a note my client had made.

Now…it’s really hard not to make a judgment when you see something like that. I’m sure your first thought was probably the same as mine was. I knew there was more to it, though, knowing my happily married client. The site belonged to a business brokerage (I had to check out the site of someone that would print that on the back of their business cards) which kind of shocked me.

I believe the description on the back of the card was meant to be cheeky, and that woman wanted people to remember her as ‘the red head’ they met with. Red heads are rare, right? Lucy, Sally Jessie, Nicole Kidman. I can only name a handful of famous red heads. Putting “the brunette” on the back of my cards wouldn’t mean much, right? Chances are, at a networking event, people might only meet with one red head among all the brunettes and towheads. So I understand the intention, I just don’t think it worked in this case. Maybe if the card was a bit more professional, or if there was at least a business name or description.

Anyway, what do you think about this? Do any of my readers use a tool like this to make people remember you in your networking efforts?

You know what? That red head may be a genius. I will probably never forget her name, website address or what she does. Hmmm. Something to ponder.

I would love to hear your comments.

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With every new business comes a new brand. Branding is one of the most important (and fun) things you’ll do when starting your business. It’s also often underrated.

A business doesn’t really need to be branded. You don’t necessarily need a logo, a corporate font, corporate colors, etc. to start your business. But when you put your whole heart into starting up a new enterprise why not do it right? Brand recognition is very important. I found an interesting article about the history of branding which you can read here.

Think a logo will cost you a fortune? Think you’ll have to refinance your home to get a professional website designed? Think again. In this day and age you can get a brand for a bargain - without sacrificing quality.

I am not one to brag, I’m quite a modest person actually-but my brand is really great. My logo (my virtual alter ego donned in a Santa hat for the holidays), business cards, website, and blog cost me much less than $1000 and that includes the money I spent to have my web copy proofread. That’s small potatoes for a big brand (big to me at least!).

The first thing you need is your name and tagline. It’s helpful if you have a target market at this point as well so you know who your brand should appeal to. From there your logo is the next logical step. Some free advice…before you jump in and get your logo designed make sure you can use your business name. Check to see if the url you want is available and make sure you can get your name registered. If not, you’re out some money and you’ll just be plain disappointed.

Do you live in an area where graphic design costs more than you can afford to spend on your branding? Are you starting your business on a budget? Look for a virtual assistant that specializes in graphic design. Here at Mann Made Time, with our preferred partner, Signature Worx, we offer lots of economical creative design packages including (drum roll please…) Mann Made Time with The Worx which includes your logo, stationery, brochure, business cards and website!

If you already have a logo and website, a virtual assistant can still help with other graphic design projects. Desktop publishing is something many VAs specialize in and most enjoy doing. You can get yourself a very professional looking flyer, brochure, postcard or almost anything you can think of, for a fraction of what you think it would cost!

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I’m reading (scouring really) my first ‘for Dummies’ book - “Marketing Kits for Dummies”. It’s actually one of five books I have on the go right now - one being about blogging, one about PR, one on copywriting and another by Seth Godin called “Small is the new Big”. I’ll review them all in detail as I finish them, but I read one part in the ‘Dummies’ book last night while I was watching ER that I wanted to share (Is it just me, or is that show going downhill?). It was about business cards. The author was saying how, as business people, you try to ensure that if you’re meeting with a client or a prospective client, you take care with your appearance. Professional clothes, nice hair, no body odor (he actually said that) and a nice smile. He went on to say that while there is often great care taken with your physical appearance, sometimes people don’t put as much thought into their marketing materials - which is a big mistake. When a person meets you in person, you are there to help give a great impression, but when you’re not there and your business card is doing all the talking, it has to be fabulous.

Your business card is a very important (and underrated) marketing piece, and I agree with the author of this particular ‘for Dummies’ book. Although it might set you back a couple hundred dollars, it is money well spent when you consider that it is often the first impression a prospect has of your brand.

What does it say to a prospect when they turn over your card and see advertising for the company that printed your business cards for free? What about the ones that were printed at home and still have the perforated edges? Go look at your collection of business cards - which ones stand out to you. Which ones made you say, “Wow, that’s a great card!”. The ones with raised ink? Vertical layout rather than traditional horizontal? Double sided? Some stand out and others are…well…dull and boring.

A good business card is memorable. It is an important piece of your branding and more thought should go into it’s design than often does.

If you are on a budget, as most of us are, this is one thing you should not scrimp on. You can get a business card designed very inexpensively by a virtual assistant - Mann Made Time offers this service, as do many other VA companies. Printing doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. There are a lot of companies online that are very inexpensive, and if you prefer to go with a local company it might cost a little more, but it is a legitimate business expense and the service is often better.

Bottom line is this. You want your card to be better than your competitors’. Take a look at your business card. How does it stand up?

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Mann Made Time has recently suffered an identity crisis. What? You say! I know, I know, the series of ebooks that I co-wrote includes a book entitled “Preventing an Identity Crisis” but it happened!

First of all, there was nothing wrong with my old logo - I loved it - the problem was that people were getting confused about what I did. People kept asking me if my husband makes clocks…not a nice assumption that it’s my husband that owns the business, either! This is my former logo:

Now I have a new logo which incorporates the clock from my old logo and the colors are the same, but it gives a better idea of what Mann Made Time is…which is, of course, a VA company. It’s a caricature of moi, and it is much more fun. Of course with a new logo, I needed a new website design. My new website, created by Signature Worx has much more of my personality infused in it, and I’m getting great feedback.

When I first started my business, I had very little of my own personality in my web copy and marketing materials. I said what I thought I should say, and I set up my website like everyone else did.

Then I got confident and decided that I wanted clients that would appreciate my quirky sense of humor. I don’t particularly want to work with someone that doesn’t want to smile while they’re perusing a website. Let’s face it, I am my brand. I am ‘The Mann’ in Mann Made Time. Every email I send, phone call I return and blog post I make reflects upon my brand and my business. It’s important to me that my clients know what they’re getting before they start working with me, and that’s a quirky but sharp assistant who will get the job done and make you laugh - guaranteed- at some point along the line.

However, don’t expect me to show up in a periwinkle blue blazer - I don’t own one.

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If you’ve visited our site before, you will notice that the look of Mann Made Time has changed quite a bit. I’m really excited about my new design and I can’t thank my designer enough. Ms. Connie McVicker of Signature Worx has outdone herself. I know nothing about web design, so I don’t know how much work actually goes into a project like this, but I can imagine it’s a big job.

I highly recommend Signature Worx for anything graphic or web related. Thanks Connie - you’re amazing.

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