They are designed to be handed out, so they are ideal for trade shows, recruitment fairs or networking events, for example.

The goal is to present yourself in an original and clear way in professional meetings, so dig out your CV, bring it up to date and then just take the most important elements to put on your card:

Your professional skills and career path, your qualities and any specialist skills, and equally important – your contact details! Add your telephone number, email address, LinkedIn profiles etc.

Take care over the layout of your card in order to make it easy to read and choose a design that is in keeping with your industry and professional image. Is it a good idea to add your photo? Well, one advantage is that the photo can act almost like a logo. It can help your interlocutor remember you after the event. Just make sure you choose a good photo that gives the right impression!

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1. Design an original business card that will give a positive impression of you;

2. Make sure you get a business email address that will add to your credibility;

3. Don’t forget non-digital correspondence, and design headed paper and compliments cards that match your business cards. For a really impeccable image, order your return address and address labels, customised envelopes and folders at the same time. Rubber stamps and date stamps will also help save you time when you are processing your mail.

4. Avoid forgotten appointments by investing in appointment cards, or encourage your customers to come back by giving them loyalty cards.

5. For your employees: customised notepads, sticky notes (and their holder) and notebooks that have your logo, slogan and contact details will be really practical at the office, and will also complement your professional image.

6. These products, just like pens and other engraved items can also be used as promotional products to hand out to your customers, partners and suppliers.

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Every culture has its own way of approaching this everyday part of business life, with some attributing more formality or importance to the proceedings than others:

• In Japan, a card should be accepted with both hands. You should also bow deeply at the same time.

• In China, you need to hold the card with both hands, this time to offer it. It is also considered offensive to write on the giver’s card in their presence. This is one to watch out for, as in the UK it can be considered normal to write notes on someone’s card to help with post-event contact.

• In the UK and US, there are no longer any specific ceremonies attached to the exchange of cards, and they are, for the most part, considered to be marketing or networking tools.

There are also differences in the kind of information provided on the cards, and their physical aspect:

• Golden font for the Chinese, as the colour is thought to bring good luck. You need to include your name, job title and contact details, but also the year the company was started.

• The Japanese place a great deal of importance on the position of a person, and also on the quality of the card.

• Qualifications and diplomas should be included on cards in India.

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An exchange of business cards can take place in many different contexts, professional or even personal, with the main goal of creating business relationships and enabling them to continue, subsequent to an initial meeting.

Often, in the world of business, cards are exchanged at the beginning of a meeting. Rather sneakily, this can act as a reminder of someone’s name and therefore help to avoid any uncomfortable situations!

They can also help to start conversations. If you are handed a card by someone, you can base any questions on information found on the card: the industry or activity, the company logo or details, for example.

Cards are usually handed out in person. Distributing cards on an empty table before a meeting may runs the risk of being seen in an unfavourable light, as could handing out lots of cards to lots of people all at once.

Usually, good manners dictate that whoever receives a card should show interest in it and read it before putting it away.

It is important for a business card to look good, but don’t forget to think about the way in which you hand them out!

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Always have business cards available in your establishment. You only need the essential information to create them, so you should never be without.

For a bit of a change, you could create loyalty cards instead of classic business cards, and encourage your customers to come back. For example, you could offer a free beverage for every five or ten purchased drinks.

Organise themed nights or mid-week events, and offer reductions to encourage people to go out even when it’s not the weekend. When you have found a theme or idea and settled on a date, then get your posters and flyers printed and do some serious promoting!

Stick up the posters well before the event and hand out the flyers like they’re going out of fashion! If you want to attract the attention of the public, you’ll need to find an original idea or offer drinks at attractive prices. You can also purchase flyers or postcards with reduction coupons…

Create a website. You can upload photos of your events, and promote upcoming ones etc. Don’t forget to add a map and to give details of opening times etc.

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Not only are they communication tools, but also are also examples of your creativity and proof of your expertise.

Choose your finest work and upload it to customise those of Vistaprint’s products that are best suited to show off your talent:

1. Even if you have a gallery, a website would allow you to exhibit your work 27/7 and would also allow your customers to purchase your prints even if your shop is shut. You could also provide information about the services you offer as well as your price list and contact details.

2. As a photographer, you can never let an opportunity to promote yourself pass you by. Have premium quality business cards printed with a high quality reproduction of one of your photographs. Your work will do the talking for you, and your cards will give a positive first impression of your work.

3. Order leaflets or brochures to hand out to customers or potential clients. You will have more space to encourage people to use your services and purchase your prints, as well as for giving examples of the quality of your work.

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All you need to do is select the products that are the best suited to your Home Cleaning industry!

Premium Business Cards
Give business cards to your clients and create a positive first impression of your company. Browse through our templates to find one that corresponds with your professional image and then customise it with the name of your company, your contact details and your logo. If you don’t yet have a logo, you can create one easily, quickly and for free on Vistaprint’s site.

Car Door Magnets
If your work means you are spending a lot of time travelling to and from clients’ homes or offices, then optimise the impact of your vehicles with magnets that match your business cards, to attract new clients!

Flyers and Postcards
Advertise with flyers and postcards. You can use them to detail your services and price list, or to promote offers or reductions for new clients, for example.

T-shirts, Polo shirts and Caps
Don’t forget your uniforms! Improve your company’s image and create t-shirts or polo shirts for your employees. Add your company name and logo and then complete the look with a matching cap!

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You have the option of customising Vistaprint products with your photos: from the essential business cards to mugs and other promotional products. But if you take your photos yourself, how can you take a good photo that will complement your marketing materials?

Images convey meaning and so you need to choose something appropriate. Here are a few tips:

• Framing
Think about the composition of your photo. An object or element in the foreground of the picture can provide depth to your image. If you need photos of your products, experiment with layout in order to find interesting compositions that show your products off to their best advantage.

• Colour or black and white?
Black and white photos or ones in very sober colours can help to create a sophisticated and elegant image. Does your message need subdued colours or bright and vibrant ones? What will serve it best? Light also plays an important role in the creation of an atmosphere, so consider your lighting very carefully.

• People
If you show people in your photo, you need to pay careful attention to positions, looks, facial expressions and the style of clothes worn. Make sure they create a positive image of your company, and one that will please your target audience.

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First things first, what’s so special about your restaurant?

• What type of cooking? Which products do you use? Can you use their exceptional freshness/ quality in your promotion? Are they locally sourced etc.?

• Is there anything distinctive about the layout of the restaurant, i.e. exposed kitchen area?

• What style or atmosphere have you created?

• How do your prices compare with those of your competitors?

Basically, you need to define the qualities that make your establishment stand out from the crowd.

From there, you will be able to sketch out a profile of your typical client and pin down the targets for your marketing campaigns.

Once you know what you want to sell and who you want to sell to, you can work out the best marketing strategy and products you need.

Vistaprint have product packages you can customise according to your needs, so that you can choose whatever is best adapted to achieve your goals.

Here are a few ideas:

• Business cards are essential… You want your clients to have your details to hand whenever they want to book a table.

• Web sites are also now a business necessity… Post your opening times, your contact details, and most importantly, your menus! What better way to attract customers than by making their mouths water?

• Flyers are a great way to promote meal deals or discounts.

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Each company has its specific needs in terms of marketing. The size and way of operating needs to be taken into account when determining a successful and effective marketing strategy.

Here are a few ideas:

Business Cards
The essential product… You should always have business cards on you. Give a few of them to each of your clients, because if they are happy with your services they will hand them on to their friends and neighbours. They are easy to keep in a wallet or to stick to the fridge, so your customers will always have your details to hand when they need your services.

Car Door Magnets and Lawn Signs
When you work at a customer’s home or office, you need to make sure that the neighbours know about it! Increase your visibility with car door magnets and ask your client if you can put up a sign while you are working there. Make sure your layout is simple and clear – you just need to put your name, logo and slogan or description of your services… and your contact details.

Flyers and Leaflets
Deliver leaflets in the neighbourhood where you are working to provide more information about your services and prices. Do this at the beginning of the job and offer free quotes. If you are already working nearby, it’s an easy way to encourage new customers to contact you. Oh, and don’t forget to print your quotes on headed paper…!

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