Marketing 101:  How do you use business cards and they were used to promote yourself for the last 500+ years?

Over the years I have had different types of business from selling golf clubs to collection letters. One of the first things you do, have business cards printed up. It makes look professional even you are new to the that type of business.  Business cards are like a first impression of meeting a person for the first time, in this case the business card will reach you prospective customer sometimes before you. Even if a potential customer is not available to spend time with you, you should always leave a business card when you stop by.

Business cards are cards bearing business information about a company or individual. They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid. A business card typically includes the giver's name, company affiliation (usually with a logo) and contact information such as street addresses, telephone number(s), e-mail addresses and website. Traditionally many cards were simple black text on white stock;My favorite; today a professional business card will sometimes include one or more aspects of striking visual design.

Business cards evolved from a fusion of traditional trade cards and visiting cards.

Visiting cards (also known as calling cards) first appeared in China in the 15th century, and in Europe in the 17th century. The footmen of aristocrats and of royalty would deliver these first European visiting cards to the servants of their prospective hosts solemnly introducing their arrival.

Visiting cards became an indispensable tool of etiquette, for aristocracies of North America and the rest of Europe, when others adopted the practice from the French and English etiquette. Visiting cards included refined engraved ornaments and fantastic coats of arms. The visiting cards served as tangible evidence of the meeting of social obligations. Most were works of Art. The stack of cards in the card tray in the hall was a handy catalog of exactly who had called and whose calls one should reciprocate. They also provided a streamlined letter of introduction.

With the passage of time, visiting cards became an essential accessory to any 19th-century upper or middle class lady or gentleman. Visiting cards were not generally used among country folk or the working classes.  

Trade cards first became popular at the beginning of the 17th century in London. These functioned as advertising and also as maps, directing the public to merchants' stores, as no formal street address numbering system existed at the time.

Businesses used their cards as marks of distinction and thus introduced the first modifications in their design. As the demand grew for cards boosted the development of color printing, more sophisticated card designs appeared, making the cards works of art.

Today with computers and color printers, you can get all the tools to  make your own business cards  most of the cards come out looking professional.



Business cards are frequently used during sales calls (visits) to provide potential customers with a means to contact the business or representative of the business. Business cards are also a way to try to get a free lunch, I always drop one card in the fish bowl to when a lunch, I have been able to get 2 or 3. They are a important marketing tool for any small business looking to get the word out.

All this business card information and we did not even discuss Feng Shui for business cards.



Cheers