Unique Business Cards
If you've ever run across a business card collector, you've probably seen an amazing array of unique business cards.
Business cards can be made of just about any material that can either be written on or engraved - it's even possible to get a business card made of glass.
Everyone wants his or her business card to be noticed, so the desire to create a truly unique business card (a card made from grass clippings, or a die-cut card, or even a business card made of wood) is hard to resist. But is there a point at which uniqueness and originality actually works against you?
 Advantages of Unique Business Cards
The biggest advantage of a unique business card is that it's attention-getting. It gets noticed and talked about, maybe even passed on to other people ("Hey, did you see this cool business card?) And people who notice you, who really pay attention to you and your business card, are more likely to do business with you.
Making unique business cards is also a way to differentiate yourself from your competitors.
Disadvantages of Unique Business Cards
However, many unusual or unique business cards are expensive to design and print, especially if you're using an unusual material like metal or wood or printing your business card in an unusual shape.
Also, business cards that are non-standard in size or shape are more difficult both for you and your clients to store.
A Better Way to Create Unique Business Cards
Fortunately, there are cheaper and easier ways to make unique business cards. And that's to vary backgrounds, colors, fonts and information in unexpected (unique!) ways.
 When you're designing business cards, you can use a background or color scheme that is uncommon in your industry, or try an unusual (but legible) font. You can add a funny tagline or slogan, add useful information to the back of the card, or do something creative like design a series of cards that work together in a marketing campaign. (For example, if you create 4 sets of cards, each with a different product benefit or joke or whatever! on the back of the card, you can give a prize to someone who brings you all 4 cards.)
You can even make existing business cards more unique! Round the corners, punch a hole in it, or simply store it in an attention-getting business card case. Some of the newer business card cases are real conversation-starters. If your business card presentation is unique, that helps too! (For example, handing your business card to someone with two hands is uncommon and makes the card seem really important.) And if you accompany the business card presentation with a sincere, well-rehearsed pitch for your product or service, you'll leave the card recipient with a flattering impression of both you and your business. It's much easier and cheaper to create unique business cards this way, and still very powerful.
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