Personal Business Cards
Personal business cards have an interesting story in history. Before I tell you where you can create free business cards, let’s take a moment and find out where these slips of paper came from, and where they are today.
The business card started out in China of all places, somewhere back in the 15th century. At that time they called it a visiting card.
About the 17th century, these humble items started turning up in Europe. The runners of the royalty and aristocrats would give the servants of their visitors. This was so they could make a make a big occasion about their pending arrival.
The cards got very elaborate with engraving and cool coats of arms. They became a form of proper etiquette with some very sophisticated ways to handle them.
Later on in the 17th century something new turned up in London, called a trading card. They were used by merchants as advertising and maps to their locations. Since this was back before the advent of street addresses and numbering, customers needed some kind of map to find the merchants.
Today’s Personal Business Cards
The actual business card of today is kind of a combination of the visiting and trade cards.
From the plain white card with the person’s name, to very fancy, glossy with foils of gold and silver, personal business cards come in all styles.
Some have custom made logos to brand the business; some are designed to create sizzle and interest. Yet others are very proper and professional.
The sizzle card is used as what they call a drop card to leave in places where people will see them and pick them up. Think of it like a 100 dollar bill on one side and your business information on the other. Most people would pick that up and see what it was and that is the idea.
Then there is the professional business card for lawyers and such, or business people with name address and phone numbers on them. You will see plain, very classy and everything between.
If you have a home-based business, you will need to use both the professional business cards and also the sizzle drop cards to share your ideas, products and opportunities.
And here’s some good news — you can create either inexpensive business cards or even ones for free!
Create Free and Inexpensive Business Cards
If you’d like to create free or inexpensive business cards, you can do it very easily. The best place online is called VistaPrint, and you can get excellent business cards — just pay shipping (which is very reasonable). My wife and I get all our business cards here. 250 FREE Business Cards and FREE Matching Website!Click here.
Something to consider is the kinds of free business cards you want to create. Remember the professional and the sizzle? Considering the cards are inexpensive or free, it’s wise to get some of each.
Have fun creating your own personal business cards today!