The Seven Deadly Sins of Ineffective Nametags
Your nametag can be your best friend. It can be a lifesaver in meetings, trade shows and events to start conversations when you meet groups of new people. It will also identify you as well as your company in the minds of others. As a result, you will become more approachable and transform strangers into valuable connections. Unfortunately, nametags can become useless and ineffective when they are designed and worn without careful consideration. By avoiding The Seven Deadly Sins of Ineffective Nametags, you will be certain to maximize your approachability by making your nametag will become more visible, more accessible and more efficient. You will also discover that when you invite people to "step onto your front porch," they will cross the chasm between a stranger and a friend, or a prospect and a customer. Size
How many times has someone rudely squinted at your chest desperately trying to make out those tiny letters? This can be self defeating, embarrassing and actually work to decrease your approachability. Not to mention it makes the other person feel ridiculous! So, much like a retail price tag, your nametag should be readable from ten feet away-both the font and the nametag itself. According to a nametag survey done by David Alder of Biz Bash, 50% of a group of meeting planners claimed that "illegible font size of nametags was a major problem." And, considering the 75 million baby boomers that have reached, or will reach their bifocal days, this should your top priority. The recommended font size is 24 point, which is at least one inch per letter. Also be certain to avoid cursive, script or other fancy lettering. Clutter
Avoid nametags with overly thick borders, unnecessary clutter or too much text. It should be easy on the eyes and all of the information contained should be readable and memorable in less than five seconds. Although including your company name, position and logo is an excellent way to position yourself from a networking standpoint, having some empty background space is vital for contrast. However, if you include anything other than your name, make sure that supplementary text is significantly smaller than the name itself. Remember, they call them nametags because the name should be the focal point. Color
The most effective background color for nametags is white. This will allow maximum visibility for your logo, name and position. Dark blue, green or red backgrounds can be used occasionally, but they have a tendency to "steal the show" from the rest of your nametag. The font itself should always be black or dark blue. Never use yellow, orange or any other light color. Even if a dark color choice means an aesthetic digression, fashion must be outweighed by your nametag's approachability and visibility! Finally, unless you work in an academic capacity, avoid gold nametags. Turnaround
This is one of the most frustrating problems that most people have faced: "the nametag turnaround." No name. No logo. No company. Just the blank back of the badge! While lanyard or necklace style nametags may reduce clothing damage, there is no doubt these will get accidentally turned around and tangled at some point! Therefore it is vital to always write the exact same information on both sides. And, if someone who doesn't know your name sees your reversed nametag, they might shrug their shoulders, turn away and find another person to talk to! (NOTE: Writing the information on both sides also eliminates the possibility that some of us will purposely turn our nametags around. "Lead us not into temptation?") Placement
The horizontal placement of your nametag is a function of the context in which you wear it. Nametags will be easily visible in the line of sight correlating to your handshake. Most businesses handbooks will instruct you to wear nametag in this manner. And, it is a good visual aid for people who have trouble remembering names-which is everyone! On the other hand, for mobile and populated events such as trade shows, expos and conventions, it may be more effective to wear your nametag on your left side. This allows people who approach in your opposite direction to see your nametag with significant ease, since we traditionally walk on the right side of the road/aisle/hallway. Presence
Although horizontal placement of your nametag is an important consideration, vertical placement is certainly the most important visibility characteristic. Wearing a nametag in the middle of your chest is likely to get covered by your arms, papers or some other obstruction. Furthermore, central placement of your nametag will make you unavailable to people outside of your conversation, thus limiting your ability to meet more valuable people. So, your nametag is pointless if it's worn below your breastbone. The most effective location is two to three inches below your collar bone on whichever side most fitting for your function. This allows maximum eye contact. Furthermore, high vertical placement of your nametag eliminates the possibility that it will be covered by something. For example, if your nametag hangs too low, it will be impossible for other people to read it when you: sit down, cross your arms, wear a jacket, write down information or use gestures while you talk. Maximization
Have you ever seen a five inch nametag with tiny letters the size of sunflower seeds? What a waste! Utilize any and all blank space provided by your nametag. Make it huge! Don't worry about looking silly, because everyone looks silly! And, although font size should be consistently large anyway, don't hesitate to increase the font commensurate with the size of the nametag itself. Imagine your nametag is a personal advertisement. Maximize your space efficiently. Think about this: you will never see a billboard on the highway that only uses half the space provided! The next time you go to a meeting, convention, seminar or trade show, remember that your nametag is your best friend. In other words, think of your nametag as your "front porch." It invites people. It makes them feel comfortable. And, it initiates conversations that transform strangers into valuable connections. But, like any good front porch, it's important to create and wear nametags that are visible, accessible, and efficient so you can maximize your approachability. © 2005 All Rights Reserved. Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Misrepresentation - Through Silence!
We're back to the subject of ethics, more specifically, business ethics.
Selling To Your Affiliates
While success with any internet marketing program falls on the head of the marketer, what the program offers in pay outs and products plays a big roll. What I am going to focus on is the product side of the business. The products that you sell make the difference on who is going to buy them. Either you sell to people outside your own affiliate base. You sell to people within your base. Or you try and sell to both. I believe most marketers try and sell only outside their own affiliate base. If you do this then you are missing out on your greatest customer. Your own affiliates.
Top 5 Ways to Generate Qualified Leads for Your Small Business
Do you ever wonder if you could be doing a better job marketing your small business or professional service firm? Successfully marketing a small business is hard work. There are several key skills required to consistently develop new business that you, as a small business owner, must master in order to succeed.
The Power of because...
"Do it!", "Do it now!", or "Do it because..."
Sponsorship: A Key to Powerful Marketing
Sponsorship is the fastest growing form of marketing in the U.S. It is still very much in its infancy, especially in the trade show arena. With this in mind, you can find unlimited opportunities to broaden your competitive advantage by increasing your credibility, image and prestige in sponsoring events attracting your target market.
Baby Boomers - Marketing to the Me Generation
Unless you've been in a dimly lit cavern for the past several decades, you know that "Baby Boomers" is the collective name given to the 76 million people born in the United States between the end of World War II and 1964. Often described as the largest, most knowledgeable and most fiscally influential demographic group in American history, their motto could very well be: Where does a 750-pound gorilla sit? Anywhere it wants!
What to be Successful? Marketing Makes the Difference
When you hear the word "marketing" what comes to mind? More business or wasted money? If your experience with marketing or advertising has been less than positive your cynicism may be well founded. Yet, have you ever noticed a competitor with a mediocre product and a healthy business? The difference is often marketing.
Direct Mail Strategy - Brand Identity Guru
1. Know your purpose: What do you want your direct mailer to accomplish? Do you want to be remembered? Do you want to educate prospects about benefits? Recently, Brand Identity Guru was hired to expand a clients direct mail efforts, so we created a direct mail piece to showcase our clients related capabilities. Now direct mail accounts for nearly 30% of our clients new business.
Unique Gift Items ? 3 Creative Ideas
With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes, calendars, magnets and keychains. Then, there is the really creative. Sometimes with a specific campaign, you may want to go above and beyond and really start a buzz about your company.
How to Write a Fundraising Thank-you Letter for Example (Includes a Free Sample)
Thank-you letters are one of the most important letters that your non-profit mails to donors. They remind donors that they made the right decision in supporting your organization. They show that you are grateful for the donors gift. As a bonus, thank-you letters increase donor loyalty, strengthen relationships with your donors and increase your chances of receiving more gifts in the future. So here are some pointers for writing effective thank-you letters.
How to Get a 100% Return on Your Marketing Investment Guaranteed!
One of the most effective ways to market your products/services
is to create strategic alliances. Strategic alliances are
partnerships with companies who sell to a client base similar
to yours but they sell different products/services. The idea
is to find partners whose clients may also be interested in your products/services.
Write Effective Fundraising Letters By Being Conversational (Includes Examples & Samples)
I am doing what you do, sitting at my computer, trying to get my thoughts out of my head and into a written form that will help you make a decision. In this particular case, I am trying to write a few intelligent remarks about sounding conversational on paper. You know, how to write a fundraising letter that sounds like it came from the mind of a person and not an institution.
A Successful Solution: 10 Things to Consider
A provocation for the coming year, decade, century or millennium.
Marketing On The Cheap: Become a Joiner
Recently I wrote an article on the benefits of joining your local Chamber of Commerce as a way of getting exposure for your business. See "Marketing on the Cheap: Join The What?" at this source or at http://sbmag.org. The Chamber of Commerce is or should be the number one organization in your area promoting business. Your involvement will help them indirectly help your business while giving you direct exposure to a large and viable market.
Effective Use of Promotional Products and Ad Specialties
1. Determine the goals of your promotional products program. Do you want to create awareness? To attract new customers? To reward or provide incentives to existing customers? Remember to determine a means for measuring the results.
Why You Buy, Part Two
More of the findings of the recent studies in behavioral economics:
Business In 2010: A New Face of Marketing
The term "internet marketing" was virtually non-existent a short 8 years ago, now it is a growing phenomenon that is raking millions every year. Because of this expanding industry, the internet landscape it changing. Where are the changes going to be? I fully expect a growth in interactive end-user experiences - an online environment catering to the individual preferences of a singular visitor. I also foresee a massive change in the way we market online. A change could include "personalized" advertisements embedded so deeply into the product that the user does not realize it as an ad.
Website Marketing: 10 Uncommon Bonuses That Will Help Make Your Product Hotly In Demand
Giving away free bonuses is an important website
marketing secret that can ignite your sales.
How to Make Profits With a Commission Mailing Business
List your name under this classification and dealers will mailbundles of circulars to you with a blank space at the bottom ofthe ad in which you stamp your name. You mail these out and theads "appear" to be your own. You receive money for whatever isadvertised on the circular. You keep 50% and the dealer whosent you the circulars will fill the order for you for the otherhalf.
Self Promotion Brings Business Success
Your business success depends on your ability to promote your services, your products, and yourself. Fortunately, promotion is simple. I know...you hate selling. "But, I'm not a born salesperson," you say. "I don't want to hustle people." And, images of high-pressure, arm-twisting solicitors come to mind. But, that doesn't have to be you. You're not pushing your services/products onto others; people will buy them because they need them and because they have a relationship with you. It's the personal connection you make with your prospects that will help them remember you, and like you.
|