How to Turn Your Business Card into Your Ultimate Marketing Tool

Your business card is a pint-sized marketing tool that packs a big punch. The first impression that a prospective client will have of your company will often be through a business card. Handing out business cards is a
fast, easy, and personal way to promote your company. Maximize the effectiveness of your business card with these seven tips:

1. Make sure your business card is worth keeping. Low quality and unprofessional cards are the first to be trashed. Pull out your business card and ensure that it conforms to the following standards. First, a business card must 3.5" by 2." Anything larger will not fit in wallets or business card holders. The card itself must give the impression of professionalism. A card that is flimsy, has perforated edges, is boring, or has ink that smudges will convey an unprofessional image. A good business card is made of high quality paper, includes an image of the company logo, and is printed in an easy to read font. Finally, a business card must include every means possible to contact you, including your phone, email, fax, voice mail, and website.

2. Give your card away with a two to three sentence "commercial." As you hand a potential client your card, introduce yourself and your company. Explain what your company does and how it can benefit the client. An effective "commercial" will make someone want to keep your card handy.

3. Never give away just one card. Always give a potential client at least two cards, preferably more. Ask them to pass on your card to anyone they feel may be in need of your service or product. In return, ask for extras of their card to hand out. They'll be more likely to promote you if they know that you will be returning the favor.

4. Attach your card to everything. Staple it to flyers and brochures that your company distributes. Include an extra copy in correspondence. Hand out your card with other marketing items with your contact information printed on them such as: pens, notepads, or mouse pads. Your best or most sought-after clients should have dozens of your cards around the office.
5. Create an electronic version of your business card. Make the electronic version of your card the signature for your email account and your e-card will automatically be attached to the end of every email message you
write.

6. Magnetize your card. If your target audience includes homeowners or renters, design a magnet that they will want to put on their fridge. Include the most important of your contact information. Increase the likelihood of your card's permanent attachment to a fridge by adding other important information such as a mini-calendar or a kitchen weights and measurement chart. A photo frame magnet with your contact information that fits around a school sized picture will also be more likely to kept rather than tossed.

7. Give out your business card again after the service is complete or the product has been delivered. Ask your clients to recommend your company to someone else they know that may need the same service. The most powerful incentive for a client to choose a company is the recommendation of a satisfied customer. Once again, remember to give more than one card.By implementing these seven tips, you will create a huge impact through your littlest marketing tool.

10 Tips to Making Your Business Card a Great Marketing Tool

Are you having problems with your current business card that fails to impress potential clients? Or maybe you are not getting the increased business that your card is supposed to provide for you. Then you should improve
your business card to make it into a great marketing tool.

The business card is more than just a piece of paper to pass our names & numbers. It represents an opportunity to become an impressive marketing tool. Our business cards should be unique & distinctive so as to be a memorable conversation piece for consumers.
Below are 10 tips to making your business cards function as a 'fresh' advertising billboard for your businesses.

* Ensure basic information on your card is complete as in your name, profession, office address, contact numbers & fax numbers. Providing your email address & your web site's address will give it more appeal to consumers.
* Offer special discounts & promotions on your business card.
* Place your business card in all your correspondence.
* Make your business card an appointment card to achieve dual functionality.
* Give your business card to everyone you meet be it store clerks, gas station attendants, toll booth operators and etc to get maximum exposure of your business.
* Make your business card a mini billboard to advertise your service or business product.
* Your business card can also be a fridge magnet. Spend a little more money on it and you have a better chance of having your business card on a potential client's fridge instead of simply stacked away with other cards.
* A professionally designed logo will reflect the true identity of your business and also make your business card more identifiable even at a single glance.
* Your business or services unique selling proposition (USP) should be highlighted on the back of your card. Some good examples of USP are:

1. Head & Shoulders: "You get rid of dandruff",
2. Olay: "You get younger-looking skin", &
3. Red Bull: "You get stimulation of body and mind".

* Shape your card relative to your business so your card can become a conversation piece. Limit the uniqueness so your card will not be difficult to fit into places where business cards are stored or else it will risk a chance of getting misplaced thus probably forgotten.



Our business cards do not have to lay dormant in somebody's wallet or drawer. Instead, it can play an active & powerful role to promote you, your business, & your services. Create your business card & follow the tips mentioned above to let it generate for you increased profits to your business. Your business card is your smallest, efficient, & most effective advertising billboard! - http://abassteroffice.blogspot.com

10 Tips on How to Create a Great Business Card

It is quite simple to create a great business card. There a variety of different computer programs available that allow people to make business cards. Here are ten tips on how to create a great business card.

1. Use a catchy sentence that people will remember. You want your business name and what you do to remembered. You want people to remember your business card so make sure it has a catchy sentence.


2. Use a picture that matches what your company is about. You want a picture on your business card that people will remember. You can make something that is easy to remember. For example, someone who has a teddy bear gift basket business can use a picture of a teddy bear in order to have people remember the company.

3. Make sure the text is large enough to read. You want the text and pictures be large enough to see. You want the text to be easy to read. Don't use fancy text on the business card. Keep the text style simple so that people can clearly read the text without trouble.

4. If you are printing the business cards on a regular print instead of being professionally printed then make sure to get some business card paper. You can get luxury business card paper at any office supply store. They have a variety of luxury paper designed for business cards.

5. Make sure to include all of your contact information on the business card such as your telephone number and mailing address. If your company has a website then make sure to remember to put the website address on the business card. If you have a e-mail address then make sure to list the e-mail address on the business too.

6. Put your job title on the business card too. Make sure to let people know by your business card what it is that you do and how to get in contact with you. Business cards are a great for advertising.

7. Double check your business card for any spelling errors along with any other errors. This is important so that your business card will look professional. Have a friend look at the business card before you have it printed. Other people can point out mistakes that we often don't catch.
8. Don't clutter your business card. You don't want your business card to be overloaded with information. You want to keep your business card simple and straight to the point about what services or products that
your company can provide. You can have a list of what services or product that your company can do, but just keep it simple.

9. Make sure that your business isn't boring. People enjoy business cards that are interesting and memorable. You want your future clients to be impressed with your business card enough to want your service or product in the future.

10. Make sure that your business is full color. You want your business card to catch attention and color catches attention. Make sure that your business card has light toned colors so it isn't overwhelming to the reader.

How to Make Business Cards for Free

Business cards are a great way to promote yourself and/or your company that you own or work for. Part of running a profitable business includes keeping the overhead costs down while getting your name and company name
out to prospective clients. Knowing how to make business cards for free is an economical and easy option.

You can very easily make your own business cards for free by checking out the websites highlighted below. Choose your favorite business card design, add the details and you will have cost effective business cards that are representative of you and cost virtually nothing except for the ink and paper.

Business Card Land

Here you will find a website where you can make business cards for free and there are many creative designs offered. Examples of the printable business card choices are: Modern Sparkle, Long Grass, Floral One, Batik, Simple Sans, Simple Serif, Geo Corners and Eclipse. The business card maker is flash based so making your own business cards can be done easily on Mac and PC.

Print Free

When learning how to make business cards, it is often wise to choose a simple, clean design. The site offers options to make business cards that are very simple but efficient enough to get your information and company information out to the prospective client. Making your own business cards on the website include design options such as printing with lines or without lines and the color options are: black, red, green, blue and mixed colors. This website also has a lot of other make your own business related items such as calendars, office forms and printable signs.

Free Business Card Templates

Here you will find a website that offers a variety of make your own business card styles in categories such as: accounting, antique, beauty and cosmetic, bakery, car and accessories, computer and internet, coffee and tea, catering, electric and electronic, florist, hardware, motorcycle, optical and eyewear, pets and accessories, real estate, stationary and office equipment and travel and leisure. Making business cards is easy on this site because within these categories, the amount of choices is substantial.
Free Printable Business Cards

Learning how to make business cards for free is incredibly easy when you have 230 business cards that you can download and print yourself. The business cards designs are tremendous and the site is very easy to navigate.
Some examples of the business cards that you can make are: personal business cards, feminine business cards, photo business cards, funny business cards, nature business cards, abstract design business cards plus many more business card designs.

Apollos Templates

This site has wonderful make your own business card choices with many options to pick from such as: ability to add your own logo, adding custom text to the business card, changing color of title, change color of body text and replicate changes to the entire sheet. Although the website has many options to choose from to make your business card personalized to your own style, the site is easy to navigate and options are easy to understand.

Giving yourself the opportunity to make business cards for free is a wise choice economically for a business owner, plus business cards are a must have to carry with you in the event that a business opportunity arises.

Sources:

www.freeprintablebusinesscards.net

www.printfree.com

www.businesscardland.com

www.free-business-card-templates.com

www.apollostemplates.com

Make Business Cards on Your Computer

Make your own business cards with an existing logo

I've made business cards about every way you can except scribbling my number on a piece of paper! Actually, I've done that too, but it wasn't business. One of the first business cards I made for myself was on Microsoft Publisher. They have some nice templates for business cards, and I even liked one of their logos. On Publisher you can just open the template, type in the information where indicated, replace visuals, put your cursor on corners of things and pull them out to make them bigger or push them back to make them smaller. You can change the colors and then change them back again if you want. They have color schemes you can choose from with a whole palette of coordinating colors, or you can create your own. It really is fun to play around and see what you can come up with. (And I'm just going to dangle that preposition"with," so there.)

Print cards on your home printer
I kept a supply of the Avery business card perforated sheets that Publisher works with, and whenever I ran out of cards I would just print out a sheet and pull the cards apart. I found Avery had a slightly more expensive business card product that separated into cleaner edges. I bought them in ivory or cream rather than stark white, so the cards would look more "Printed." Well,I outgrew those when I started seeing the logo I was using showing up everywhere, on yard signs, powerpoint presentations and other stuff.

Design your own logo for your business cards
For my next business cards, I designed my own logo, just by using a certain type font, and putting two of the letters in a different color from the others. I added bars of color behind the company name, and inserted a background I found somewhere, recolorized and distorted a little. Suddenly, I had an all new original logo and business card. I created this one on Adobe Illustrator, with a little help from Adobe Photoshop. But, except for colorizing the background in Photoshop, and squeezing the letters of the text together in Illustrator, it could have been designed in Microsoft Publisher too.
Send your business cards to an online printer

This time though, I decided to graduate to an online printer instead of printing the cards myself. I was always getting emails from VistaPrint offering incredibly low rates, and sometimes even free business cards. So they walked me through uploading my design, nd I spent a little extra on a glossy finish. Woohoo, I thought they looked great. (see pictures.)

Business cards for Imaginary businesses
But back to Publisher. Just for fun, I made some imaginary business cards on Publisher and uploaded them here to show how easy it is. I've also done brochures with Publisher. It's when I try to have them professionally printed that I run into problems with Publisher. The color settings were not right for professional printing, and the type can't be manipulated very well. (Of course new versions of Publisher may have all the problems ironed out. I was using the 2002 version.)

Make business cards in Adobe Illustrator
Since then, in my business, I've mostly done business cards in Illustrator, and had them printed online at VistaPrint and saved my clients some money. I've had the matching folders and and brochures printed on VistaPrint, and other online printers too. I've also paid professional designers to design logos and business cards for some "high image" clients. It just depends on the budget they have, and the business they're in. Sometimes it's something simple I can do myself, sometimes it takes a "real" designer, sometimes I can find a design I really like online. You can find lots of gorgeous designs for a realtor, for example, but not for a vending machine company.

Use business card templates online
A new way to make professional looking cards in a hurry is to use predesigned cards on Vista Print. They have photos to choose from, and color schemes. A friend who was starting her own home staging business needed cards fast. We found a design on VistaPrint's site that we loved, and I adapted it for her, changing the fonts, etc. The result is very professional and expensive looking. To think it was all done on the computer, ordered on the computer, paid for on the computer, and the cards were delivered in a few days is absolutely amazing.
Business cards back in the day

Years ago when I started in advertising, getting new "corporate identity" materials was a very big deal for clients. You had meetings to discuss mission and "feel", you hired a designer to create a logo, then a layout artist came up with the layout for each piece: the business card, the letterhead, the presentation folders, the brochures, etc. Some designs required original photography which was very expensive and time consuming. Then we would send the text out to a type house and wait for the type to be set and come back. Then a paste-up artist would put it all together according to the layout: the logo, the picture, the text. Off it would go to the printer, and then we would wait for the proof to come back. If there were mistakes, then we would have to wait for a corrected proof. Finally, when everything was signed off on, the proof would go back to the printer and we would wait for the finished product. That's why nobody ever wanted to change their business cards, much less the logo on their trucks. The time line could be as much as two months.

Now that everything is digital, you can change it all in a week on your computer. Sometimes in 3 days!

I'm about ready to redesign my logo again. But what about the 1000 blue business cards I have left? Guess I could use them to wallpaper the office.

It won't be hard to tell which business cards here are for imaginary businesses. Leave me a comment and tell me which ones you think they are.

If you want to read more from this author, click on my picture and visit my titles.

Business Card Guide

I read once a long time ago that all you really need to get started in business is a good idea and a great business card, and I've found that's pretty much still true today.

But not all business cards are created equal. A bad business card is more of a liability than an asset, but a great business card is worth ten times what you pay for
it.

Wondering if your business card is an asset -- or a liability? Read on for a checklist of the elements of a great business card.

A great business card:

1. Has your contact information. Sounds basic enough, but some folks actually forget to include their NAMES on their business cards! Your name, your business name, phone number, email address, web URL, and address (either physical or mailing) are all necessary. Anything less diminishes your credibility.

2. Has your core marketing message (not your tag line). A tag line is a positioning statement (such as "Have it your way!") that doesn't necessarily tell what you do, but positions you against your competitors. Your marketing message is probably very close to your elevator speech, and describes the outcome of your work as well as your ideal client (what you do and for whom).

3. Is readable. Print that is too small means your card is unreadable. But small print isn't the only issue; I've seen "arty" business cards that make no sense in terms of layout and copy, so unless you ARE Pablo Picasso, make your card easy to read and not a visual challenge.

4. Looks professional, not like a craft project. For example, unless there is a legitimate reason to hand-letter your business cards (such as you are ten years old, or your business is all about hand-lettering) or do anything else that is "crafty," don't. Not only is it probably a waste of your time, it looks both juvenile and terminally unprofessional.
5. Is visually arresting, although consistent with your overall design concept. Photos are great on business cards, because they are visually arresting, help people recognize you, and because your face (in a photo) is
an implied guarantee, especially for big-ticket items (now you know why most real estate agents have their photos on their business cards).

6. Is the right size. Anything that doesn't fit into a standard card holder is the wrong size. It can be a little short, or a little thick, but never too wide or too tall.

7. Uses both the front and back. Have you ever noticed that when we get a card or a letter, the first thing we do is look at the back? I guess we all want to see what's behind Door #2. Take advantage of that behavior by including more information on the back of your card, such as a Top 10 list or a special offer.

8. Has a secondary use. You card can invite, inform, inspire, or amuse if it includes a special offer, an invitation, an appointment confirmation, tips, calendar, inspirational quote, or Top 10 list.

9. Is given away -- over and over again! Please don't be stingy with your business cards. While you should not force your cards on people who don't want them, you do not need to "qualify" each recipient of your business card. Remember: Just because someone isn't a prospect now doesn't mean that they might not pass on your card to someone who is a good prospect for you.

10. Doubles as a nametag at networking events. Just slip it into one of those plastic holders and clip it on to your lapel for an instant nametag. Not only will it be a great conversation starter, but you'll find people will remember you better.

Craft for Profit: The Power of Promo Items

Regardless of the type of business you're in, the major hurdle you have to leap is the memory one. You have to find a way of keeping your name in the mind of customers and potential customers, without actually being
in their face.

In the corporate world, there's the whole mini-calender, printed pen, bumper-sticker route. But we're crafters. We want our give-aways to be just as pleasing and personal as the crafts we sell.

Basically, this means preparing some quality promo items that tie in - tightly - with the products you make.

The Basics of a Promo Item

There are a few things that every single promo item must have or do, and they're really easy to remember:

1. Contain your phone number or website URL.
2. Contain your name or business name.
3. Look personal and match your product theme.
4. Cost very little and be super quick to make.

Consider these the four laws of the promo item if you like. There are dozens of ways of incorporating those laws into the item itself.

Promo Item Ideas

Since promo items are something we're going to literally give away, they can't eat into our crafting profits. The second they do that, they've become something much more than a promo item; they're akin to gifting.

In its basic form, the promo item should seem like a gift to the recipient. It should be useful or so pleasing that your customer can't help but smile when they see the little "bonus". You should be able to make a batch of the items (we'll call a batch a full dozen for this article) in under an hour. And you shouldn't have to worry about how many pennies you've thrown into the materials you've used, either.

With those keys in mind, the sky's the limit in what you can do. You'll want to really think about the ideas you like best, and consider ways of using them so that they incorporate your particular craft. Also pay attention to what other crafters are giving as promo items. When you find something that you just ooooh over, you know that you've got inspiration.
Business Cards - The basic business card contains all the information we could possibly need to fulfill our promo item laws. On its own, though, a business card is pretty ... well, corporate. Think about ways that you
can spruce the card up with your crafty creativity, though. If you sell crochet items, consider making a small little border for the card or laminate the card with a crochet motif as decoration. Pattern writers could print a short, easy pattern on the back of their business card. Make dolls or stuffed animals? Why not try printing a sheet of business cards on printable fabric, and using the card as a "patch" on a small doll's clothes?

Sachets - Whether you sew, crochet, or knit, you can create a sachet in no time at all. Try making a simple envelope or pocket sachet and sticking a piece of felt inside that contains a drop or two of essential oil. These will then softly scent the items you're sending, and you can include a little card attached to the sachet that has your business details as well as "refill instructions". The chances of that card getting thrown away are pretty low because it has instructions on it.

Useful Tie-Ins - These kinds of items are as endless and varied as the types of crafts we do, but the basic idea is that the promo item itself supports whatever it is that you sell. Many crochet and knit pattern writers whip up a bunch of stitch markers that can be given away with the patterns they sell. Someone who designs clothing for kids could include belt-loop charms or if they design for babies, a pacifier keeper. A woman I know who sells roving (the material that yarn is spun from) made a killing by letting it be known that she included handcrafted drop-spindles with her orders. The spindles didn't cost her much time or money to make, but added tons of value to the people purchasing her wares.

How to Use Promo Items

It's all fine and good to have a bunch of neat little extras to give away, but what do you actually do with them to prevent them gathering dust on a shelf?

There are numerous ways to use your promo items. If you are selling at a craft fair, try keeping a small basket of your selected promo items out front. Invite browsers and customers alike to go ahead and grab one. Even if they're not buying today, that little item might keep you in mind long enough to draw them back to your products later on.

Another, more obvious way is to include promo items with your sold products. Whether you ship or sell in person, the addition of the bonus can really make a customer's day. It says "Thank you!" in a way that words alone can't touch.
When you offer items that are useful, like the drop spindles, show off how useful they are. This will only work when you sell in person at a shop or a craft fair, but it makes a huge impact when you use it. Instead of
kicking back wondering how long it will be before the next customer comes along, get out in front and draw a few eyes by showing what can be done with your craft. The demonstration will bring curious lookers who will turn into customers - many of whom wouldn't have considered visiting your booth until they saw you showing off your work.

Basically, try to make the giving of a promo item feel as personal as the item itself. It's that caring touch to our crafts that help us sell them in the first place, and the extra thought of a bonus really drives the "I care" bit home.

The Power of Your Business Card

Sure, everyone needs business cards. But why not make your business card do double or triple the work of an average business card?

Here are 4 proven ways to supercharge your business card into a powerful business tool.


1.Use the back of the card to include sales info. Good marketers know that customers need to be reminded at every opportunity how your product or service will help them. Even though business cards are small, you can still include some information on the back of the card that will remind customers how you are unique, better, and valuable. You could include a short bullet list of features and benefits. You could display some stats and figures, mention awards your product has won, or list a brief testimonial or two. Just a little bit of extra sales information can make a big difference in building relationships and encouraging sales.

2.Use the back of the card as an appointment card. Dr.'s and dentists do this frequently. But other businesses can use the same concept. Sales people of all kinds, realtors, consultants, professionals and more can use the back of their business cards as an appointment card. This is a good idea for several reasons. First of all, it increases the likelihood that a prospect will keep your card close by - at least until you have the appointment. Second, it gives you a reason to give customers more than one business card. The more cards they have the more likely they are to always have one handy when they need it. This is especially important if they are referring you to a friend or relative. They may have an extra card of yours laying around that they can give to someone.

3.Use the back of the card as a map to your store. Maps are important for people who are new to the area, or people who aren't familiar with your part of town. Also, with just a mailing address listed on the front of the card many people don't know exactly where you are. A map will clear that up and again help increase the chances of them hanging on to your card
4.Place a 12-month calendar on the back of your card. This is a very clever technique that is sure to have people keeping your card handy at all times. Believe it or not a 12-month calendar fits nicely on the back of
a standard size business card. I remember when I got my first card that had a calendar on the back of it. It was from an insurance salesman and I literally kept it by my desk at all times. I found it to be much quicker to glance at this card than to thumb through a wall calendar or even to visit Outlook. Each time I picked up the card I remembered who had given it to me. This practice is applicable to any business and in any industry.


Using even one of these 4 tips will greatly enhance the impact that you business card will have. With just a little creative you can turn your business card from a necessary evil, to a powerful tool.

Tips to Consider when Choosing a Business Credit Card

So it's come to a time when you think a business credit card would be very beneficial to keeping the cash flow consistent and helping track purchases rather than collecting the endless trail of grocery store or
Walmart receipts for small purchases.

This really is a big decision. Many needs can be the same with businesses but then some are not. You need to ask:

What do I need the credit card to do for my business?

How much credit does my business really need?

How much can I afford to charge and reasonably pay back the next month?

Will the owner be the only one using the card or will employees be using it?

Which expenses will I'll be paying with it?

Will I use it for recurring monthly payments?

Does the business get a better deal on pricing if they pay upfront for inventory? If a payment is made before delivery will the business be able to pay off the receipt of goods within 30 days? Paying before finance charges are applied might be necessary to get the benefit of paying for the shipment early.

It's the same idea for other bills you might decide to pay off earlier every month. You could negotiate better terms when buying reoccurs monthly or your business buys 2 months in advance to get a better price and a break on monthly shipping.

The question of whether employees will use the card is a good one because some credit card companies have special promotions at times to accommodate that business need. If employees have their own cards you will be able to track spending a little closer. There are options with some business cards that protect owners from misuse by employees. Owners also have the ability to put spending limits on employee cards. Your company will also have the protection that comes with the card against fraud, against faulty goods as well as service that wasn't satisfactory.

Do you expect there will be enough travel miles to warrant getting a card that offers rewards like free flight fares or nights at a hotel? The perks like these are offered to be more attractive in getting the business community on line with a particular credit card. Some cards even offer free gas when the card is used for traveling by car.
By asking all the questions mentioned your company has a better chance at choosing the best credit card for it's needs. And we saved the best for last. Consider what is the best interest rate you can get? Is a
lower interest rate more attractive than other savings or perks you might be able to get with your card?

More incentive to sit and reason this choice with all benefits considered. Wishing you great growth and many returns with your business.

Benefits of a Small Business Credit Card

When you have your own small business, benefits are important. One of tools that you can use to grow your small business is a small business credit card. There are several benefits to having a small business credit
card:

Build your business credit history

Even businesses have credit histories. It can be important for you to build a good credit history, as it will allow you to take advantages of other opportunities to expand your business. Before you can expand with a small business loan, you need to have an established business credit history.

Higher spending limits

A small business credit card comes with higher spending limits than a personal credit card. This means that you have the available capital to get what you need, when you need it. And it can be easier than getting approved for a loan from a bank. Just make sure that you carefully consider large charges to your small business credit card.

Earn rewards and perks

Many small business credit cards come with rewards and perks that you can use to further build your business. Earn travel, business equipment and gifts. These are all things that cost money -- and you can earn them for free!

Protection for your small business

Credit cards offer extra protection. You can get things like traveler's insurance and rental cars through your credit card. Additionally, all credit cards, including small business credit cards, come with fraud protection. This will protect you better than a debit card.

Legitimacy

A small business credit card can add legitimacy to your company. It shows that you are a serious business, with separate accounting practices. Additionally, a small business credit card can simplify accounting by eliminating cash and checks. A built-in record of your business transactions is standard. Just make sure that you keep your small business credit card for your business only.

Enforce company spending limits
This can be very important. You can get additional cards for trusted employees, and you can set the limits. You can choose limits for the whole company, or choose limits for certain trips or individuals. You can be more
in control, and everything is tracked.

It is important to remember that you need to be as responsible with your small business credit card as you are with a personal credit card. Don't let things get out of hand. If you use a small business credit wisely, it becomes an asset.

Advantages of Using a Business Credit Card

Congratulations! Careful planning and stout determination have transformed your ideas into reality. Your new business is proof that the American dream still exists. Small business ownership, though, is not for the faint
of heart. Juggling all the daily responsibilities that come with entrepreneurship can be overwhelming. Managing your time wisely should be a top priority.

A business credit card offers the advantage of saving you precious time and reducing stress. Some credit card companies even offer a card with 60 days of no interest (instead of the usual 30 days) when you charge new purchases on your card. And with a business credit card, you will usually be able to obtain a larger line of credit than if you applied for just a personal credit card.

Every business needs supplies and services. All these transactions can quickly become the small business owner’s arch nemesis if not handled correctly. Carrying cash is burdensome and unnecessarily leaves you at risk for theft. Writing checks generates a checkbook that needs to be balanced more frequently (and a big headache when it doesn’t add up at the end of the month).

Using a business credit card makes it easy to purchase business items. Only one check is written each month—instead of the usual twenty or more. Going a step further, perhaps clicking suits your style; credit card payments can be made via an online checking account. Online credit card statements can even be integrated into your accounting software.

Often times, a small business owner isn’t the only one making purchases. Are invoices and expense reports from employees piling up on your desk? Business credit cards end the paper pile-up and organize employee spending. An online account can monitor each employee’s credit card usage on a daily basis.
Last, but not least, using a business credit card has its perks. Discounts on airfare and merchandise are available, and varies with the card. Some cards offer savings through a point system, while others offer cash
rebates. Choose from a cash back plan where you earn a specified amount each time you make purchases with your card (usually 2% of the total spent).

In a nutshell, business credit cards help businesses to operate more efficiently while offering great incentives. With so many cards that have no annual fee and low APR rates, what are you waiting for? Charging instead of using cash or checks is the right choice for a growing business like yours.

Citi Professional Credit Card Review

If you are looking for a new credit card for your business, then you should check out the Citi Professional Credit Card. This card has no annual fee, and no interest on balance transfers for one year. The Citi
Professional Credit Card has a variable 12.49 percent interest rate on any credit card transactions. Unfortunately there is no period with a low introductory interest rate. The good news is the benefits of the Citi Professional Credit Card when it comes to rewards are very good though. These include enough "ThankYou Points" credited to your account after your first transaction for a $100 gift card.

The total points you receive after your first transaction is 10,000 "ThankYou Points". This means that every "ThankYou Point" is worth one cent. This is good news for you if your business credit card is used for purchasing a lot of meals, gas, or car rentals. Why would that be beneficial to Citi Professional Credit Card Owners? It is because for each of these categories you receive three "ThankYou Points" for every dollar spent. This means in effect that you are earning 3 percent back on ever transaction you make with the Citi Professional Credit Card in these categories. Not a bad benefit for spending money just like you would with cash. Of course if you spent cash you wouldn't get the three percent back like you do with the City Professional Credit Card.

The "ThankYou Points" are not the only benefit of signing up for a City Professional Credit Card for your business. You will also get managment tools online that will help you categorize your expenses for when tax time comes around. This allows you to categorize and total the expenses in each category. The City Professional Credit Card also includes several benefits for you when you travel. You get travel accident insurance, travel and emergency insurance and Auto Rental insurance when using your Citi Professional Credit Card.
For those of you that are looking to save money on prescriptions, as a City Professional Credit Card holder you will also receive a prescription discount card. This discount card will give
you anywhere from ten to sixty percent off your prescription costs at participating retailers.

Some things you should be aware of with the Citi Professional Credit Card though is that if you fail to make your payments on time, the 0% APR for your balance transfers may not remain in effect as a result of the late payment. There is also a fee that the City Professional Credit Card holder will have to pay for their initial balance transfer. As always, reward credit cards are only a good investment if you pay off the balance of credit card transactions on a monthly basis. Otherwise the interest you pay on balances outweighs the benefits of the rewards.

Overall as a business owner, the Citi Professional Credit Card is a card that is worth applying for. Why not go ahead and enjoy that free $100 gift card after your first purchase, 3% back on purchases in many categories, and other benefits when paying expenses with your Citi Professional Credit Card instead of carrying cash.

Small Business Credit Cards: An Overview

In today's growing credit card industry, there are scores of options from which to choose. Do you go with low interest rates or awesome reward points? Do you bother with annual
fees or weigh the benefits? Small business credit cards are even more numerous and diverse than personal cards, and choosing the perfect one for your company can take some time.

I've compiled an overview of cards from various financial institutions to aid in your decision. You can compare interest rates with reward points and annual fees.

Chase Bank

1. Chase Platinum Visa Business Card

Interest Rate: 0% APR for 12 months; a variable APR thereafter starting as low as 11.24%
Annual Fee: None
Rewards: None
Benefits: Up to $1,000,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Up to $3,000 Lost Luggage Insurance, Zero Liability On Unauthorized Purchases.


2. Chase Visa Platinum Business Card with Free Cash Rewards
Interest Rate: 0% for up to 12 months; variable thereafter starting at 13.24%
Annual Fee: None
Reward: Earn cash back with each purchase; earn 1,000 reward points after making first purchase.
Benefits: Up to $1,000,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Travel and Emergency Assistance, Purchase Security and Extended Protection.

3. Chase Continental Business Card
Interest Rate: 6.99% fixed APR for up to 6 months; 16.24% thereafter
Annual Fee: $75.00
Rewards: 10,000 OnePass®Bonus Miles after your first purchase, Double Miles at Continental.
Benefits: MasterCard Global Service, Up to $3,000 Lost Luggage Insurance, MasterRental® Insurance Coverage.

4. GM Business Card
Interest Rate: A variable APR, 13.24%
Annual Fee: None
Rewards: Earning points toward a new GM vehicle; cash back from paying at the pump.
Benefits: Master RoadAssist® Roadside Coverage, Travel Services Medical Protection, Emergency Cash and Card Replacement.
5. Marriot Rewards Business Card
Interest Rate: 3.9% fixed APR for up to 6 months; a variable 17.24% thereafter.
Annual Fee: Waived first year; $30.00 thereafter

Rewards: Earning Marriot reward points for free travel.
Benefits: Trip Delay Reimbursement, Up to $3,000 Lost Luggage Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.

For More Information: www.chase.com

Bank Of America

1. Power Rewards Platinum Visa Business Card
Interest Rate: Prime plus 6.99%
Annual Fee: None
Rewards: Up to 2% cash back, gift certificates, travel rewards, and merchandise; 1,000 bonus points after first purchase


2. Platinum Visa Business Card
Interest Rate: Prime plus either 6.99% or 9.99%
Annual Fee: None
Rewards: None

3. US Airways Visa Business Card
Interest Rate: Prime plus 9.99%
Annual Fee: $75.00; $15.00 each for extra cardholders
Rewards: 1 mile for every dollar spent in purchases, double miles on purchases from US Airways, and 15,000 bonus miles after first purchase.

4. Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card
Interest Rate: Prime plus 9.99%
Annual Fee: $50.00; $25.00 each for extra cardholders
Rewards: 1 mile for every dollar spent in purchases, Double miles on purchases from Alaska orHorizon Airlines, 10,000 bonus miles after first purchase.

Benefits of all BOA Business Cards: Credit limit up to $25,000, savings and discounts on business purchases, Overdraft Protection for linked business checking accounts.

For More Information: www.bankofamerica.com

Wells Fargo

1. Wells Fargo Business Platinum Card
Interest Rate: Prime + 4% to Prime + 14%
Annual Fee: None
Rewards: None
Benefits: Wells Fargo Protect Program, Travel Insurance, Auto Rental Insurance


2. Wells Fargo Business Secure Card
Interest Rate: Prime + 9.9%
Annual Fee: $50.00
Rewards: None
Benefits: Wells Fargo Protect Program, Travel Insurance, Auto Rental Insurance

3. Wells Fargo Corporate Card
Interest Rate: Prime + 2.8% up to Prime + 9.8%
Annual Fee: $10.00/each for 6-50 cards; None for 51+ cards
Rewards: Wells Fargo Protect Program, Travel Insurance, Auto Rental Insurance, Master Coverage
NOTE: This is for large corporations, and business owners must order at least 6 cards to apply

For More Information: www.wellsfargo.com

Top Five Credit Card Websites

Finding the right credit card for which to apply is a daunting task. Calling various companies, searching their websites, and ardently comparing fees and interest rates can take forever,
and let's face it: we have better things to do. But short of picking the first one you happen upon, what else is there to be done?

I have found the answer: Credit Card Offer Websites. These businesses make money each time a consumer fills out an application through their website. It costs nothing for you to use this service, and you can find offers from multiple companies all in one place. Using these websites, you can search for the type of card you want, or just search them and compare.


1. www.Credit-Card-Surplus.com - "If We Don't Have The Credit Card You're Looking For, It Probably Doesn't Exist"

This website is my favorite offer site because it is extremely well-laid-out. They feature cards from Chase, Bank of America, American Express, Discover, Citi, Bank One, Advanta and Orchard. And not only can you search by the type of card - such as airline rewards or student cards - but also by features. If are looking for cards that have low interest rates, no annual fees, high credit limits, or for bad credit, then you can run that search via this site. They also have scores of articles about finding the right credit card, credit card trends and ways to help consumers build their credit scores.

2. www.creditcards.com - "#1 Rated Site To Search, Compare and Apply For Credit Cards"

This is my second favorite site because they allow consumers to easily compare credit cards with other offers. They also have applications for pre-paid debit cards and credit card specials. CreditCards.com features cards from Chase, Bank of America, HSBC, Citi, American Express, Discover, First Premier Bank, and Advanta. They have an article center where you can research credit card trends as well as a section for news about credit cards. Especially informative is their Frequently Asked Questions section about applying for credit cards online.
3. www.CreditLand.com - "Tell Us Who You Are, and We'll Help You Find The Right Card"

This site would be wonderful if it weren't so hard on the eyes. Flashy colors, varying fonts and imbedded images make this site difficult to navigate and understand. They have a lot of information, and they've
tried to cram it all on their home page, which makes perusing the site a little overwhelming. Still, they have some excellent information, and one of the largest selections of credit cards I've ever seen. They have great resources about how to improve bad credit and how to establish non-existant credit. They also boast efficient customer service - if you call, they will help.

4. www.CreditCardGuide.com - "The Leading Source of Credit Cards Online"

I don't know about the leading source, but this site does have quite a bit of information. The main divisions for CreditCardGuide are good credit, poor credit, and student cards. They also have offers for airline cards, automobile cards, business cards, gas rebate cards and cash reward cards. They give full, immediate details about the APR's, annual fees, grace periods and rewards, as well as additional benefits of each card. They also have instant online approval offers, which give the consumer an answer with a few minutes, directly from their website.

5. www.MyCardChoices.com - "Find The Credit Card That Fits You Perfectly"

As with CreditLand.com, this site is a little hard on the eyes. The colors were a poor choice and the links are difficult to navigate. However, this site also has unique offers that you won't find anywhere else, such as environmental and cause-related cards, entertainment cards, sports cards and recreational cards. The site itself is owned my MBNA, which has now joined with Bank of America, and they only offer Visa & Mastercard offers.

Consumer Tips for Avoiding Hidden Credit Card Fees

From the time most of us were teens, we probably had a credit card or two. Credit cards and charge cards were a fantastic way of getting what we needed now while paying for it later.

Unfortunately as most of us are discovering, credit cards are full of hidden fees. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), hidden credit card fees are costing Americans over $400 a year. These fees come on
top of all that interest charges as well, which lately have been slowly creeping upwards if you haven't been paying attention.

While it's against federal law for credit card companies to impose hidden fees, there is no law compelling the credit companies to explain surcharges in easy to understand terms, hence the terms "hidden fees." These fees are usually explained in teeny tiny print on the backs of your statements, on the credit application itself, or buried in the credit card junk mail these companies send to you on a regular basis. It isn't until you use the card that these hidden fees come into play.

Avoiding those hidden fees means reading the fine print and keeping an eye out for these common credit card tactics:

The late payment fee

Credit card companies mean business when the payment due date comes around. Banks and credit card companies can charge as much as $39 for a late fee, and might even penalize delinquent accounts by raising the interest rate to as high as 28%. To avoid late fees and higher interest rates, pay early or set up an automatic payment plan through your bank.

Consumers who prefer mailing their payments should allow for plenty of time. Even though you may have timed your payment to arrive on the actual due date, don't assume that the credit card company will process it that day. Although it's "on time" for credit reporting purposes, some card companies delay processing payments for day or so, entitling them to a late fee. Remember to keep an eye on those due dates, which can change monthly.

The cash advance fee
Using your credit card to charge a purchase is one thing; advancing cash off the card is like taking out a very expensive loan. Not only will the loan be charged at a higher rate of interest from the moment of the
withdrawal, you will also be charged a balance transfer fee. If you've advanced the funds from an ATM, expect to pay a transfer fee to both your credit card company and the bank that owned the ATM. If the funds were advanced using one of the checks so thoughtfully provided by the credit company, expect to pay handling fees that can run as high as $75 per transaction.

The over-your-limit fee

It's happened to all of us; we've miscalculated our spending for the day and went over our limit by a couple of bucks. As a courtesy to its clients, credit card companies will usually pay an over-the-limit charge and then assess the account $39 for going over the credit limit. If the charge exceeds their comfort level, they may reject it instead and still charge you $39.

The pay-it-by phone fee

Just in the past year, I've noticed that making payments by phone are no longer free when using a credit or debit card. Utility companies, medical facilities, insurance companies, and even credit card companies charge a $15-$35 "handling fee" when processing a card payment by phone. Some companies will charge even a higher fee if the payment was due that day. Mailing those payments early or setting up an automatic deduction payment plan is the way to avoid these hidden fees.

The penalty-for-not-using-your-card fee

If you don't use your cards except for a "once every few years" emergency, you may be subject to a small fee every 6 months to a year or so to keep the account active. These fees range from $15-$50 and can be avoided by using the card for a small purchase several times a year.

The "Gotcha! We're-invoking-the-universal-default-clause" fee

Hidden deep within the fine print of many credit card agreements is a universal default clause that's a real "gotcha!" for unwary consumers. This clause allows a company to raise your interest rates if your credit score is lowered for any reason, such as a late payment to another credit card company or if you've over extended yourself on other loans, including a home mortgage. With the universal default clause, a consumer can find his low rate interest cards being bumped up to double digit interest, even if he's never been late with a single payment. What's particularly unfair with this clause, is that the higher interest doesn't just apply to new purchases, but the entire balance including the stuff you charged when the rates were still down around 3.9%.
So how do you get around these fees? Setting up an automatic payment schedule with your bank is one way to guarantee that your payments will always be on time. Reading the fine print that comes with your statement or in
a separate mailing is another way of keeping yourself informed of changes to your creditor's policy.

With credit card interest rates on the rise, consumers have to be more vigilant than ever in managing their credit card debt. For consumers who are just not that pulled together, it's best to stop charging altogether and pay off the credit cards completely while the interest rates are still low.

How to Avoid ATM Fees: New Cheap Rules for the 21st Century

I recently wrote, Cheap Rules for the 21st Century, and Things I will not do to Save Money, where I listed my rules for being cheap as well as my list of things I would not do to save money. In addition to these rules,
I have a list of items I would never pay for. I am presenting this list in alphabetical order. I have already presented my ways to acquire Aprons without paying for them. Next on my list of things you should not pay for are ATM Fees.

ATM users have grown accustomed to the numerous fees they have to pay to access their own money. I do not feel this is something we need to get used to. Here are my tips for avoiding ATM Fees.

Carry Cash: People do not carry cash anymore because they have become convinced that if they are robbed that they can cancel their ATM cards and not lose anything. I say that if you are robbed, you want something you can give the robber so they do not accost you and take you to the debit machine to withdraw cash. You want to be near them for as little time as possible. Another reason people do not carry cash is because ATM cards are easy and convenient to use. That may be true, but carrying cash makes you more aware that you are spending money, and so you spend less.

Use your bank's ATM: If you bank locally, you need to use the ATM machines associated with your bank. Your bank will thank you by not charging ATM fees for your transaction.

Get cash back from the grocery and drug store. When I want cash from my non-local bank accounts, I combine my withdrawal with a trip to the grocery or drug store. Even when I do not need anything from the store, I purchase a tin of breath mints. Why breath mints? Because I am very likely to use them and it is still cheaper than paying bank fees.

Find supermarkets in your area with ATMs that do not charge fees or charge very low fees. Some supermarkets have ATM machines that do not charge the customer (at least for a certain group of cards). For those cards they do, charge a fee for, the charge is low, usually around $1.00. In my area, Publix stores have these ATMs.
When you do use the ATM machine, get enough cash for several days. There will just be some times when you need cash now, and the ATM that charges fees are your only choice. If you are going to pay an ATM fee, make it
worth your while. Take enough money for several days so you do not find yourself at the ATM again the next day.

Providing Payment Flexibility To Your Customers By Utilizing Credit Card Merchant Accounts

Many years ago businesses used to receive payments via cash only, but now the use of credit and debit cards is increasing in a great deal. In order to compete with other businesses, you have to provide flexibility of payment method to your customers, or else they are likely to shift their attention to other places which provide the convenience of paying with plastic. Even though you may feel that using plastic is rather a complicated process and needs you to acquire new skills in managing this form of payment, you have to follow the trend if you want to stay long in business.

It can't be denied that nowadays the use of plastic is considered as the second most utilized method of payment, and on the internet plastic is the ultimate mode of payment. If you have an online business but reluctant to provide the convenience of paying using plastic, there is a huge possibility that your business won't last long. It is true that it is not easy to handle credit card merchant accounts because merchant accounts need you to understand their complicated concept. In addition, you may be confused to choose the right merchant service provider because it is quite difficult to obtain enough information from customer reviews. A lot of information are provided by the merchant provider, thus the information may be biased if not much, a little.

In order to attract a large number of potential customers, it is important to get the correct services from either a bank or a merchant service provider. This is due to the fact that nowadays you can find businesses working in various methods to attract customers and this scenario influences the kind of merchant accounts the businesses may own. You should discuss with a reliable merchant service provider to guide you in getting the right type of credit card merchant accounts for your business. By doing this, you are avoiding your business from a lot of future problems especially when your merchant account is not appropriately classified. Having a proper account will also save your money and you are protected from the possibility of frauds.

Having proper credit card merchant accounts will benefit you in several ways. First, if you run a business that doesn't require you to deal directly with a customer, most often payments by customers are made through the CNP or Card Not Present accounts. You receive your payments by contacting your merchant service provider using phone, letters, fax machines and email.

If you open an online business you may want to apply for the right credit card merchant accounts. If you have mobile business, you also need to use the right credit card services because a lot of purchases made by your customers can't be processed in real time. Being a mobile merchant, you may use a lot of imprints to capture a customer's proof of payment via credit or debit card, and after the verification procedure is complete you can start processing the sale. You also need to open proper credit card merchant accounts if you run a seasonal business. This is because you are not able to create or terminate your accounts as you please since your business is seasonal in nature.

To check out more on this, especially regarding retail merchant accounts, just click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Mears

Effect of a Bad Credit Rating and How to Fix It

Credit card is a very useful tool if used properly. The problem is most people do not know how to handle these cards properly, which results to great debts. Being unable to pay your debt on time will damage your credit rating and will make it hard for you to borrow money whenever you need it.

If you are looking to loan for an amount that you will be using to start a business, you can approach a local bank. Once you have applied for the loan, the bank will check your credit background, if they found out that you have a bad credit history, they will either be rejecting your application or will be giving you an amount much lower than what you are asking for.

Another problem caused by bad credit ratings is the chance of losing your job. There are a lot of companies who do not accept employees who manifest a negative credit standing. Whether you are an applicant or a regular employee, you will be rejected from the company once they found your negative debt history.

Getting an apartment is also hard for people who have outstanding balances to credit card companies. Before you can take an apartment, owners or landlords will check your credit history, once they found that you have a bad debt standing, they won't allow you to get an apartment or a house to live.

These are some of the worst things that will happen to a person who fails to pay all their bills on time. If you don't want to suffer from these problems, you need to be prompt when paying for your debts. The best thing that you can do in order to help you clear of all your debts is to focus all the money that you have in paying one debt at a time.

Paying all your debts at the same time won't help you clear your credits easily. If you kept on paying debts separately, the interest rates will only eat up your payment, making it seem like your outstanding balance is not changing at all. Start by paying the lowest amounts first because most of the time, these are the ones that have higher interest rates.

Clearing your debt one by one is the best way to clear all your obligations. Follow this simple rule and you will notice that after a few months, your debt is slowly being reduced. Avoid taking unnecessary loans until you have cleared all your debts.

I did a little research for you. Start getting out of debt, possibly as early as this week.

Complete a few short questions and you will be on your way. Visit Debt Relief Solutions

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JacobL_Redmon

How Can A Business Credit Card Help Keep Track of Your Expenses?

Keeping track of records is the life blood of any business. For many small business owners keeping track of business expenses can become an overwhelming task. This means that you need to keep all your receipts and properly categorize each expense. After you categorize your expenses you then need to keep a total for each. In case you are ever audited, you will need all your records in order to prove that your right offs are legitimate. All this work can be very tedious, however, a business credit card can help you keep track of your expenditures without much effort on your part.

The Internet has revolutionized the way we keep track of our lives these days. Most, if not all, credit cards come with an online system than allows you to log on see how much you have charged. Online systems keep track of everything for you automatically. It will categorize your expenses for you as well. If you use your charge card at a restaurant than it will keep track of that expense under the entertainment category. At the end of the year, your card issuer will send you a statement that details all your expenses for that year accordingly. Every time you use your credit card it will automatically keep track of your expenses for you.

Use your charge card for all business related expenses as much as you can. These days, everyone uses a some sort of debit or credit card when they make purchases from anything to a soda to round trip airline ticket. Use your card when ever you have any kind of expense related to your business. Do not worry about charging a small amount. Use your credit card for any amount purchase that is business related. Business card providers take care of most of your accounting work for you if will let them. It is very easy to loose receipts, especially for small purchases. You avoid any chances of loosing the receipt by charging on your business charge card.

Most credit cards will also work with your accounting software. In other words, you can download your card statement from your issuer and import everything into your Quickbooks or Microsoft Money accounting program. Once you have downloaded the data your accounting software will then properly categorize each expense for you. Most accounting programs that run on today's personal computers will determine the expense classification based on where the expense was made. For example, if you make a purchase with your charge card at Office Max, your accounting software should automatically categorize that expense for you under office supply expense. If it does not recognize where the transaction was made the system will ask you what expense category you want to use for that purchase. It will than remember next time under what category you used when the software comes across the same expenditure again.

What other benefits does a credit card offer?
Use your business card as much as you can whenever you are making business purchases and your life will become a lot easier. In addition, many business credit card providers feature cards with great reward offers that can make your life easier as well. Reward points can then be used to make purchases such as gift certificates, cash back discounts, or even airline tickets to the destination of your choice.

Lastly, use your business credit card to its maximum potential and you will not only save money but increase your productivity as well. Keeping track of petty cash receipts can become very cumbersome for any business. Receipts can easily get lost or torn before they ever make it back to their proper filling place. All this can be avoided by using your charge card to make whatever purchases you need to make. You can then quickly download all your expenses from your online account to accounting software such as Quickbooks Pro or Microsoft Money. Lastly, always remember to always use your business credit card responsibly.

Todd Holliday is an avid writer who enjoys subjects such as apply for a credit card and cash back credit card offers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Holliday