I recently had a customer ask me for ideas to make her business card more “functional” without breaking the bank. This got me thinking, and I came up with the following 4 ideas for her that could be executed at no incremental cost because they are part of the artwork, not the cardstock itself.

1. Include sales info on the back of the card

If you’re getting glossy business cards, silk business cards, or even metal business cards, this can easily be done. As long as the business card product you are buying offers full color on both sides, you can put whatever you want on the backside.

For example, you could list your company’s competitive advantages, show impressive company data, list awards you or your company have won, or plop a few testimonials down. Be creative and view your card like a sales tool, as just a little extra confidence boosting can be a boon to your business.

2. Use the back of the card as an appointment card

Are you a service-oriented professional of some sort? If so, then why not use the back of your card to log appointments. Silk business cards are an excellent choice for this, as these are easily writeable with pens, markers, and even pencils.

The added functionality of allowing customers to keep tabs on their appointments via your business card will help ensure that they keep your card close by (at least until the appointment!). More card views = greater brand awareness for your company.

3. Use the back of the card as a map to your store

If you have a physical location, consider putting a map on the back. The easier it is for people to find your business, the more customers you will have. One word of caution here is that a map image may not come out perfectly on metal business cards or plastic business cards because it tends to be too detailed for the printing processes associated with these heavy-duty cardstocks.

4. Place a 52-week calendar on the back of your card

Believe it or not, a 12-month calendar fits perfectly on the back of a standard 2” x 3.5” card. This is a terrific technique that helps keep your card in front of your potential clients, as it is more convenient to glance at a calendar card than to flip through a wall calendar. Plus, it’s now a calendar that fits neatly in your wallet.

Summary

These are just a few ideas that can transform your business card into a useful tool, thereby prompting people to hold on to it longer and look at it more. None of these ideas will break the bank, so it is definitely worth giving one or more of them a try.