Business

Business cards seem outrageously old-fashioned and outdated, especially in this digital age. Many consider this as a waste of money and hugely impractical because almost anything you want to know about a business is already available online. Sadly, only those who have used business cards can fully appreciate their value, and those who have brushed aside their potential are missing out on key opportunities.

Here are 4 reasons why business cards still carry significance, and why no decent business should be without them:

1. Business cards help build relationships.

People who have grown tired of mobile devices and internet have observed that the technology that is supposed to bring people together is the same catalyst for being disconnected from one another. People who are buried in their mobile phones are suffering from the extremes of being social and is the same case when it comes to making business connections and networking. Sending your contact information via text or email is convenient, but it reduces the interaction to just data sharing and leaves nothing tangible to mark the encounter. However, business cards help bridge this gap and make the exchange more personal and memorable.

2. Business cards are great for direct marketing.

Marketing and advertising campaigns have the same goal of getting leads for business.  While both are equally crucial to any business, it relies on waiting for the lead or prospect to eventually take action. In face to face situations with the interested prospects, business cards can help transition the encounter from friendly chitchat to a real business opportunity.

3. Business cards make great first impressions.

All business person would make an effort to have a good and lasting impression during the first-time conversation with a lead or prospect. This is rather difficult to achieve, especially if everyone else is thinking the same thing. A skillfully crafted business card can spell all the difference. Keep in mind that business cards are an extension of your brand. It’s your prospect’s first taste of what your business has to offer, and they get to take it home with them.

4. Having business cards mean that you are prepared.

In a networking opportunity, it is embarrassing and uncomfortable to have someone’s card and not being able to offer an exchange. These can be rather awkward and can lead to a number of negative perceptions about you and your business.

Business cards still matter. But it’s also important to note that business cards will not get the job done on their own. Careful follow up with your prospects after the exchange is tantamount to building a relationship with them.

For all your printing and advertising needs, contact Adpost Group.

More and more entrepreneurs and business owners are ditching business cards in favor of modern media. It’s not unusual for people not to carry business cards anymore; some even don’t have any at all. While business cards may no longer be the norm when it comes to gathering and exchanging contact information, they are certainly not obsolete. Business card designs are constantly evolving to keep up with the changing times, and what’s better, the new ways to turn those business cards into business relationships are also making the rounds.

Here are a few tips to ensure that what started with a business card can end in a promising business relationship:

1. KEEP COLLECTING

Many people tend to be preoccupied with distributing their cards that they forget to get cards from their prospects, too. Business card etiquette says that when someone offers you a card, you should offer one of your own. When this doesn’t happen, you can politely ask the prospect’s card. Don’t fret if they don’t have a card to give; you can ask for their email instead. Never let the lack of a card restrain you from getting their contact information – this is what will let you follow up instead of waiting for them to make the next move.

2. MANAGE YOUR COLLECTION

Having a nice collection of cards from your prospects won’t do you any good if you don’t use the information that’s in them. First, create a system for those cards. If you are comfortable, you can turn the cards into a digital format. Find out what resources are available to you to make the job easier .There are apps that can take a picture of the card and convert the text and add it to your phone contacts. You can also use apps that geotag the information to remind you where the initial meeting took place. If you don’t want to go digital with your approach, just make sure that you have those business cards filed and labeled in one place.

3. ALWAYS FOLLOW UP

Following up is the most crucial step in the initial stages of building that business relationship. Simply touching base or checking in with your prospect is generic, and quite frankly, weak. Relevant follow ups always mention something about what was discussed in that initial meeting, whether it be a shared interest or experience, or whatever it was that got the conversation rolling. This adds an air of sincerity and makes the message personal. If you want to be more bold and hard to ignore with your follow up, try sending a short video message instead of an email or phone call.

4. SCHEDULE THE NEXT MEETING

Business discussions can be delayed if you rely solely on email, specifically because there is so much waiting going back and forth. This can be especially counterproductive when trying to set your next meeting. To make it less time-consuming, try using an online calendar that would simply let your prospect choose the time. Also, you can do a video call which is more personal and can get an immediate response.

There are no shortcuts to building business relationships, but having the right building blocks, like a business card, can certainly help get you on your way.

The most effective marketing and advertising tools are those that you can see both in and out of the home. Now, consider those same tools and a) add the flexibility of being able to attach and detach them as needed, or b) let your customer do the work of sticking them to one of the most prominent surfaces in the home. What better way to promote and reinforce your brand and your business than with the use of magnets?

Here are four magnets every business should have that are inexpensive yet bring a substantial return on your investment:

1. CUSTOM CAR MAGNETS

Car magnets are a great way to get your business visibility on the road. Car magnets are way cheaper than those oversized billboards, and you are not limited to just one area – whenever your car is mobile, so is your sign. The remarkable thing is that these magnets still do the work even if you’re just parked on the street, running errands from point A to point B, or even if you’re simply stuck in traffic. And unlike car wraps, if you want to transform your vehicle back to a personal car, all you have to do is remove the magnet and simply reattach it for future use.

2. CUSTOM CALENDAR MAGNETS

With the new year fast approaching, every business needs a custom calendar as a simple gift or a corporate giveaway. Most businesses opt for cheap poster calendars, which very few people hardly ever use – frankly, some of these calendars can be a huge eyesore and just don’t go well with the home’s interior décor, plus sticking or mounting them on a wall can leave permanent marks or damage. On the other hand, calendar magnets have earned their right on every home’s fridge door and perhaps can even help organize that cluttered surface.

3. MAGNETIC BUSINESS CARDS

Business cards are still essential in any business. In an attempt to veer away from the traditional 3.5 x 2-inch card size, many businesses are trying other shapes and sizes, which could be effective in making a business card stand out from a sea of other cards  – but being effective would only go as far as how visible the cards are. If everyone was tidy and organized, chances are your card will be kept with other cards plus your customer would have to specifically look for your card if they wanted to get in touch with you. If you had a magnetic business card, your information would always be visible on their fridge door, and there would be no chance of your card getting lost or misplaced.

4. CUSTOM FRIDGE MAGNETS

Fridge magnets are an inexpensive and easy way to advertise in your customers’ home. Whether it contains your business information or anything that represents what you do, fridge magnets would be a constant reminder that they don’t have to look far to get in touch with you.

Whichever magnets you need, FMF can customize them for you. Choose one or get all four, and let your magnets attract more business for your store! And for all your printing and advertising needs, contact Adpost Group.

Whenever anyone goes through the trouble of getting anything customized, there is always that natural excitement of getting something that was just an idea transformed into something tangible. But between putting together the idea and actually holding the custom item in your hand, there is a lot of agonizing anticipation and hopeful expectation. This is especially true for custom car magnets, but with added strain, especially if it will be used for business.

To make sure that you’ve got all bases covered and those marketing dollars don’t go to waste, follow these 5 easy steps to getting the perfect custom car magnet for your business:

Step 1: Know what you’re made of!

Well, in this case, know what your car door is made of. A lot of manufacturers are now using aluminum or even fiberglass for car doors, and this obviously will not work.  An easy trick is to grab one of your fridge magnets from the kitchen and see if it’ll stick. Another thing to look out for are any bevels or molding – if so, you may need to adjust the size of your magnet, which brings us to the next step.

Step 2: Size does matter!

Once you’re sure your car door is magnet-friendly, it’s time to decide 1) what shape you want your magnet to be, and 2) how big you want it to be. FMF provides magnets in standard shapes, but you can get custom shapes made as well.  Always check your measurements!

Step 3: Let me introduce myself…

Your car magnet should clearly represent you and your company. As such, there are a few essential pieces of information to have on your magnet: your company name, logo, phone number, and website or your online platform. Some people feel that websites and phone numbers would be hard to remember, so it may also help to have a QR code. Adding a very short message or company slogan is advisable, especially if your business name does not clearly state what industry you’re in.

Step 4: Get creative!

Now that you know what information to put on your magnet, it’s time to create your design around that information and within your chosen magnet size. When using color or graphics, these should contrast with your car color to allow the magnet to stand out. Use graphics as needed, like to represent what your business does, otherwise, solid colors would be sufficient.  A clean and simple lay out is always best for car magnets.

Step 5: Start the count!

One car magnet is never enough! Take full advantage of your car’s potential by getting a magnet for each side of your vehicle. You can also ask other employees or friends and family to use your car magnets on their personal vehicles. This will surely help you get maximum exposure for your business.

Once you’ve completed all 5 steps, you’re ready to order. Contact FMF and get your car magnets in 10 business days, or avail of our Express Service for much faster delivery! The sooner you get that car magnet on the road, the better!

Business cards are always part of the first impression you make to potential customers. No matter how technologically advanced we become, business cards remain one of those marketing essentials that people still prefer. Nothing beats a good business card. You can get them in practically any shape and size, in any finish, in any design. You can also get them made from traditional card stock, plastic, or even magnetic business cards.

Here are a few distinctions between the two:

1. COST

Having business cards is always a form of investment. As far as investments go, magnetic business cards would cost more than your regular business cards. In terms of value, magnetic business cards have a higher chance of the item being kept than their paper or plastic versions.

2. VISIBILITY

The business cards you receive or give usually get stored in some form of card organizer. This means that a number of other businesses share and compete for attention and visibility when it comes time to take a card out and transact business. Obviously, the more visible and stand out your card, the better the chances of it being picked first. When it comes to magnetic business cards, the process of selecting a card from the stack is eliminated for your customer – your information is already right there on their fridge door.

3. STAYING POWER

We are all familiar with the saying “Out of sight, out of mind.” This is true for most businesses unless your business is already a household name. The key is to be seen often enough that your business becomes subconsciously imprinted on your customers’ mind. When your business information is kept filed away somewhere, you have to rely on the impact of your first impression so the customer will remember you when it comes time to do business. Magnetic business cards, on the other hand, are already on the fridge door. Imagine how many times in a day your customers visit their fridge – that’s how many times you get to reinforce the idea of your business.

4. DURABILITY

Compared to paper or even plastic business cards, magnetic business cards are certainly more durable. Magnetic business cards are flexible and can stay flat on the fridge surface for years, unlike paper which can get easily torn and lose their newness from too much handling.

5. UTILITY

Paper business cards have one purpose – to provide contact information about your business. However, magnetic business has a function of being able to stick other objects on the fridge door.

Whatever type of business card you use, make sure that it is something you would be proud to give to your potential customers. And if you want a business card that will bring you more business with minimal effort, get magnetic business cards. Order your quality custom magnetic business cards from FMF today!

When people think of business cards, the common notion is that it’s just a piece of paper with someone’s business information on it. Many people get the idea that it’s okay to simply create their business cards at home instead of getting them professionally made. Besides, how hard can it be to create a format that fits into a 3.5 by 2 inch piece of paper? The availability of DIY card printing kits also over simplify the process of creating a business card – with cardstock, practice sheets, template, and some format instructions, anybody can create a card.

What many people forget is that your business card is part of your first impression, and it’s the only thing that your potential client can take with them when your interaction is over. Trying to cut the cost of getting professionally made business cards, you may have actually shot yourself in the foot by giving a DIY card that looks anything but professional.

Here are a few noticeable drawbacks of having a business card made at home:

1. EDGES

When using a card printing kit, the cardstock actually comes in perforated sheets, so when you go to separate the cards, those edges feel rough between your fingers. Professionally made business cards, of course, have smooth and even edges. If you didn’t use a kit and made the card from scratch, even the use of a paper cutter can have inferior edges.

2. SIZE

When cutting a business card from a sheet, getting the right measurement may be easy, but you stack the cards, you will notice that no matter how careful you were in cutting, the sizes are still imprecise.

3. PRINT QUALITY

The print quality of your business card relies heavily on the quality of your printer. Personal printers may not give you an even finish in your printing, plus there is the possibility that the ink will smudge – then all you would have is a dirty business card. Using personal printers also means that you may be limited in cardstock choices, either in thickness or in texture.

4. EMBOSSING

One of the great features of a professionally made card is the option to have raised or embossed text on the paper. Some even utilize metallic accents on the cards. As expected, these options are impossible on a DIY business card.

5. FINISHES

Whether you use a DIY card printing kit or choose your own cardstock, you are stuck with the texture of the paper. Unlike in professional printing, you can have a gloss or silk finish, which adds more sophistication to the card, and frankly, feels better to the touch.

Whether you have a startup business or already have a stable company, there are things you need to invest in that are non-negotiable, and one of those things is your business card. If you want to put your best foot forward, forget the DIY card kit, and get your next batch of classy business cards from FMF.

In the past years, more and more refrigerators are manufactured using stainless steel, aluminum, or even plastic.  This poses a problem for magnets, or rather, for you, as you probably collected a number of fridge magnets over the years. Some of these magnets may be gifts, promotional giveaways, or even tokens of your experiences and travels. It would be a waste to throw them away, especially if they carry some sentimental value. Rather than dispose of your magnets or keep them tucked away into oblivion, consider these simple yet creative options on how you can display (and show some love for) your magnets:

1. FRAMED MAGNET DISPLAY

Credits: www.leesheatac.com

If you don’t have any magnet space, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make one (or two, or more!). All you would need would be a picture frame (preferably the ones you can hang), thin sheet metal in the same size as your frame (you can get this at your local hardware store), paint, and cleaning solution. Simply clean the sheet metal before painting, then insert the sheet metal like you would a regular picture.

Tip: You can use some thin fabric and spray adhesive instead of paint for a more interesting backdrop for your magnets.

2. MAGNETIC WALL

Credits: www.lelong.com.my

With the invention of magnetic paint, nearly any flat surface can become magnetic. This is not your everyday item though, so you may have to get it online or go to the big hardware stores. Magnetic primer is usually black or gray in color and you will need several coats to get the desired magnetism. If you decide to paint over it to match your original wall color, its magnetic power will be reduced.

There is an alternative to paint, and that’s wallpaper – magnetic wallpaper, that is. You can get these wallpapers plain or printed, and there are magnetic wallpapers you can paint over too! Take it one step further and get a chalkboard magnet wallpaper for that multi-purpose wall.

3. MAGNETIC BOARDS

Credits: www.ohmyapartment.com

If a magnet frame is too small and a wall is too big, you can go for magnetic boards instead. You can purchase ready-made magnetic boards (most double as whiteboards), but those have a very “at the office” feel. You can eliminate that office vibe by creating your own. For instance, you can purchase a metal backsplash for a stove, or even use cookie baking sheets (just make sure that they’re not stainless steel). You can paint over these materials without affecting the magnetism, and just attach a hook to the back and then mount on your wall.

Whichever your preference, there are many options available so you won’t have to say goodbye to your magnets. Utilize these ideas even if your fridge and magnets still work well together – having additional magnetic surfaces gives you a chance to expand your collection. On the other hand, if you find yourself inspired but don’t have enough magnets to display yet, you can always get custom magnets made by FMF!

Fridge magnets are an excellent way to gently yet constantly remind your customers that your services are available. Regular calling cards can get easily misplaced, but fridge magnet can stay on the fridge door until somebody removes it. But if you’re one of these top 5 businesses, getting your fridge magnet removed is highly unlikely.

1. LAWN CARE SERVICES

Who doesn’t need a freshly trimmed lawn every so often? Maintaining a lawn can be time-consuming though, and with a busy schedule, the overgrowth can just get away from those busy homeowners. What’s worse, if the community has strict policies about lawn care, violators can be hit with a fine. Which is why it’s so handy to have that phone number right on the fridge door. With one quick call, lawn problems are taken care of, and that homeowner can easily give you a call back the next time they need your services.

2. PLUMBERS

Nothing can be more frustrating than a leaky sink or a clogged drain. Many people would try some home remedies and DIY solutions, but when all effort is futile, it’s time to bring in the professionals. Busy people would just call for a plumber right away, and when the time is of the essence (e.g. a broken faucet threatening to flood the kitchen), wasting time trying to get a plumber’s number from a phone book just adds to the stress. A fridge magnet with the plumber’s information can save that homeowner from a rather wet day.

3. PET OR VETERINARY SERVICES

Having the vet’s contact details on the fridge door is a constant reminder that the pet owner should keep track of his/her pet’s regular check-ups and vaccinations. Furthermore, if the pet owner should have any questions, having easy access to the number to call would save them the trouble of hunting down the number or driving all the way to the pet clinic for a consult.

4. ELECTRICIANS

When something stops working, the wise thing to do is to call for a professional. Dealing with anything electrical should only be handled by those who are properly trained. Rather than risk the possibility of an electric shock, having an electrician’s number on the fridge door can prevent unfortunate accidents.

5. MECHANICS

Car trouble is so common yet so unexpected. Getting it fixed right away is the only way to bring some normalcy back to the non-commuter. For people who know nothing about cars, having a mechanic’s number available on the fridge door can spell the difference between a minor problem and a disaster.

Obviously, these services are not needed on a daily basis. This is precisely the reason why having the contact information handy is of utmost importance. Having one quick phone call can mean that your fridge magnet can get you the business that would have been given to anyone instead.

Make sure that you don’t lose any business opportunities by getting your custom business magnets from FMF today!

Many businesses give their employees the option to choose between using a company car and providing a car allowance. For many, the decision is easy… or is it? Here’s a brief look at the pros and cons of both.

The Company Car

Any vehicle owned by the business that employees are allowed to use is called a company car . Employers determine what liberties employees can take with using the company car, whether it is strictly for business use, or for both personal and business use.

Employer Perspective

Employers can use company cars as an incentive in at least two ways. Many businesses use company cars as a reward for outstanding employees, which, in turn, could stimulate other employees to perform better. Employers and even recruiters can also use company cars to entice and attract new talent to join the business. On the other hand, everything from purchasing to insurance and maintenance would be the responsibility of the employer, and if that employee were ever to get into an accident while driving the vehicle, the employer may be liable for any damage the employee caused.

Employee Perspective

Having a company car means that the employee doesn’t have to worry about things like fuel, maintenance, tires, service, and insurance. All the major stress associated with getting a personal car would already be taken care of. However, there would be certain restrictions in terms of the type of vehicle and permissions for personal use (if any). Employees would also have to deal with fringe benefits tax. If the employee decides to leave the business the vehicle would have to be surrendered to the company.

The Car Allowance

A car allowance is essentially a stipend that’s added to the employee’s wages to cover the cost of getting a car, or to cover the costs associated with using a car. The car allowance could either pay for the purchase or lease price of the vehicle. In most cases, it could pay the total cost of fuel, service, and maintenance expenses. The latter is usually provided to employees who use their personal cars for business purposes.

Employer Perspective

Providing car allowance relieves the employer of having to deal with the process of sourcing, maintaining, and managing company cars, thereby saving the business time and money.

Employee Perspective

Having a car allowance gives the employee the freedom to choose what type of car they want. The best part is the employee is investing the allowance in an asset that he/she gets in order to keep even when he/she leaves the company. The downside to the allowance is that the employee is responsible for the vehicle from start to finish (sourcing, financing, insurance, etc. ). There is also the added responsibility of driving the vehicle for nominated business use while keeping track of kilometers, receipts, and then submitting a report or claim. Overall, there is a lot of additional work for getting a car allowance.

There are real advantages and disadvantages to both options. The one thing common is that there will be a vehicle in either situation. If you are the employer, it wouldn’t hurt get an extra advantage: use the vehicles to promote and advertise your business through car magnets from FMF!