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First impressions are always really important.

When I was young, my Mum was always telling me that clean shoes were really important to create a good impression and that you should always say please and thank you when you were in someone else's house.

Now I am not saying that these things are not as important today as they were way back then, but if you run your own business or you are thinking of starting your own business, there are other important things you need to consider to create a good first impression when meeting potential clients.

You need to be happy that your company name, brand or logo are going to portray the right image and then you need to make sure that you have the right sort of stationery to enhance that image.

Letterheads and compliments slips are important for any business but the most important item of stationery you can have to create that first impression that is so important are good quality business cards.

Now I am not talking about the type you can do yourself, at your local railway station whilst you are waiting to go home! How many times have you been given one of these types by someone, only to have it looking all creased and folded in a very short space of time. I am talking about having professional business cards made with good quality board, printed on both sides and laminated to a good a good finish. These are a real investment for marketing your business when you are out and about.

Business cards are small enough not to take up too much space, so you can keep them in your wallet or purse and give them out at business meetings, social events or anywhere where you are meeting people for the first time to create that good first impression. Most people keep business cards in a specific wallet or file, so that even if they don't need your company's expertise at that time, they will be able to refer back to it at a later date, especially if the design and quality really stands out in their memory.

You may be thinking that this is all very well but you cannot afford to give out business cards whenever you meet someone for the first time, even if they are such good quality that the person will have a really good impression of the image of your company. Well, let me try and put your mind at rest. Business cards do not need to be expensive to look really good. Generally the more you have printed at the same time, the more cost effective it is. You can also have multiple names done at the same time, which again works out cheaper. So it makes sense that if you have three or four members of staff who require business cards, to get them all done at the same time. You can also have up to 1000 cards printed for each person in one go, so whilst you may have an initial outlay in the beginning, imagine how long those cards will last you and your team.

Remember, first impressions are really important.