Friday, November 20, 2009

Location, location, location!

When you wear a nametag, you want it to have the greatest impact possible. Otherwise, why wear one!? The following are a few tips you can keep in mind to help you increase the visibility and effectiveness of your name tag.

First, position your nametag over the right breast pocket. Because most people greet each other by shaking their right hands, the eye is naturally drawn upward to the name tag. Unfortunately, most jacket breast pockets are on the left! This where a Magnetic Name Tag* or a pin backed name tag comes in handy. You aren’t restricted by where you can attach a clip. Alternatively, you can use a lanyard - complete with custom imprinting - that positions your nametag at the same height as your jacket breast pocket.

Second, set your first name in a print that is both larger and bolder than your last name. That way, the client can not only easily see what your name is, but they will be more inclined to use it. Don’t use tiny name tags with tiny printing in muted colors. It sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how many poorly designed nametags there are out there! Remember, the purpose of your nametag is to help establish a personal relationship with your clients. If they can’t read your nametag, then you are already one step behind.

Last, don’t forget to wear your nametag! We recommend getting two identical name tags; this allows you to wear one name tag and to store the other in a safe place that you can access if you forget to wear the first one.

By adhering to these simple guidelines, you’ll be able to use your name tag to its full effect, whether you’re wearing a Metal Name Tag, Plastic Engraved Name Tag, or a Full Color Plastic Name Tag. You’ll also be able to give your client the opportunity to form a personal relationship with you, which in turn has the potential to increase sales and lead to repeat business.

Join us next post when we’ll be talking about the power combination of trade shows and name tags. Until then, remember that…

We are here to serve you. That is what we are all about.
(888)754-8337
www.Name-Tags.net

* Those with pacemakers should not wear a magnetic name tag.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Making It Personal

As surprising as it may sound, it’s hard to overstate the importance of nametags, whether you choose Metal Name Tags, Plastic Engraved Name Tags, or Full Color Plastic Name Tags. First, name tags allow your customers to interact with your employees on a personal, one-to-one basis. Second, nametags allow customers to distinguish between staff members and other customers, saving them the embarrassment of mistaking another customer for an employee. Third, nametags lend your employees – and by extension, your organization – a sense of accountability; customers aren’t just dealing with a cog in the wheel but rather an individual that they can seek out for immediate or future assistance.

Yet despite all these benefits, it can sometimes be difficult to get your staff to wear name tags. Why? Some find nametags uncomfortable or erroneously believe them to be unprofessional. Others may prefer to introduce themselves, while still others may feel that their customers already recognize and ask for them by name.

If you find that your staff is resistant to the idea of wearing nametags, there are several positive ways that you can approach the situation. Start by including name tags as one small part of a larger set of written guidelines on how your staff should dress, maintain hygiene, and interact with customers. You can have each employee then sign the guidelines to indicate they’ve read them and are comfortable with complying.

Then, discuss the merits of wearing nametags with your staff. Ask them to think of reasons why it might be better for them to wear name tags or how they’ve benefited from wearing name tags in the past. Have them come up with interesting job titles or personal flair that can be added to their nametags. Remind them that name tags are just as effective for managers and supervisors as they are for support staff; it tells your employees – and customers – that every member of your staff is important in their own way.

Finally, you can reward your staff members for wearing their name tags. Give spot prizes when you catch an employee wearing their names tag. Get a “mystery shopper” to visit and give a team award if everyone in your organization is wearing their nametags. Provide your staff with two name tags each, one for them to keep and one to keep at the office, so that your employees will still be able to be identified even if they leave theirs at home.

Whatever initial resistance you may receive from your employees with regard to wearing nametags is sure to evaporate as your customer relations and sales numbers improve!

Join us next post when we’ll be giving some tips on how to maximize your nametag’s impact. Until then, remember that…

We are here to serve you. That is what we are all about.
(888)754-8337
www.Name-Tags.net

Friday, November 13, 2009

Putting a Name to the Face

As the manager or owner of a successful business in the customer service industry, you may ask yourself if you really need name tags. After all, you think, aren’t they just an added expense in this already tough economy? But what you may not realize is that purchasing nametags is an investment in your future.

Studies show that customers are influenced not just by facts, but also by personal relationships. What matters is not just the product you are selling but how well your customers can relate to the people selling the product, in other words, your employees. This is called relationship marketing, and the first step in forming this essential relationship is the name tag.

Nametags break down the barriers between customer and employee; they allow for a more personal, one-on-one interaction. And yet, at the same time, they add a level of professionalism to the employee wearing the nametag. The customer can not only identify the employee but he can feel confident that the employee is fully accountable for the sale and is not hiding behind anonymity. Taken as a whole, the nametag combines a sense of familiarity with a degree of respect that, ultimately, can translate into higher sales.

Consider your own experiences as a consumer. Don’t you prefer being able to identify and converse with a salesperson by name? Isn’t it helpful when, in future interactions, you can ask for or refer to that same salesperson? A nametag gives you the ability to do so, creating not only a short-term connection with that salesperson but also a long-term business relationship based upon mutual recognition and trust.

Our goal is to help you create that bond between your sales staff and your customer base. Whether you choose our Metal Name Tags, Plastic Engraved Name Tags, or Full Color Plastic Name Tags, you’ll be creating a customer-friendly atmosphere that puts your clients at ease. Don’t be surprised if you begin to see a marked improvement in sales in just a few weeks!

Join us next post when we’ll be talking about how to get your employees to embrace the idea of wearing name tags. Until then, remember that…

We are here to serve you. That is what we are all about.
(888)754-8337
www.Name-Tags.net

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Flip Side

Nametag technology has come a long way since the early days of the standard pin backing. There are now several ways to proudly display your custom name tag – the difficult part is deciding which one is right for you!

One of the most popular options is the Magnetic Name Tag*. This innovative design comprises two separate pieces: one is a magnet that comes attached to your nametag, whereas the other is a steel backing bar that goes behind your clothing. The result? No pin holes, and an attraction strong enough to hold through everything from suit coats to sweaters. Your magnetic name tag will stay exactly the way it’s intended, without turning sideways or backward.

Hot on the heels of the magnetic name tag is the lanyard. The lanyard, which consists of a length of string or fabric that attaches to your nametag, is ideal for large name tags or photo id’s. It comes in a variety of colors and can also be custom-imprinted with your company’s logo or slogan, giving the entire ensemble a unique, highly stylized appeal.

For a more economical alternative, consider the bulldog clip, which attaches to the back of the nametag with an adhesive. Boasting a firm grip and a swivel back, this sturdy solution allows you to display your custom nametag in a tried-and-true fashion. For added flexibility, you can also add a short strap. The bulldog clip is particularly ideal for more casual situations in which a sports jacket or other outerwear may be worn.

Many name tag wearers, however, remain faithful to the good old pin backing. This high-quality jeweler’s clip is reliable and cost-effective, and it does a great job of holding your name tag in place. The pin backing itself is attached to the back of the nametag with an adhesive; the stick pin goes through your clothing and then into a clasp that holds the pin in place. Pin backed name tags are often used in clinics and industrial settings, and are especially ideal if there’s a chance that the name tag may be impacted by outside forces.

If all of these options seem daunting, don’t worry! We’re here to help you parse through your choices and come up with the best name tag – and backing – to serve your purposes. Just give us a call.

And join us next post when we’ll be talking about why you should consider buying employee name tags. Until then, remember that…

We are here to serve you. That is what we are all about.
(888)754-8337
www.Name-Tags.net

* Those with pacemakers should not wear a magnetic name tag.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Size Matters

There are several things to consider when deciding what size your nametag should be. After all, the goal is to make the most impact in the shortest amount of time.

The first – and most important – is the wearer’s name. Are you going to be using both the wearer’s first and last names? Remember, the name tag will need to be big enough regardless of how long the wearer’s name is. Are you also planning to include the wearer’s job title or any other information?

The second is your company’s logo. You want it to be large enough so that it can easily be seen and identified but you do not want it to overshadow the wearer’s name. Once you’ve determined the correct size for your logo, you need to consider its placement on the name tag. Should it be at the top or bottom? On the right or left side?

The third is the nametag’s visibility. Is the wearer attending a meeting or a trade show? Is she making a sales call? Is he a waiter? A real estate agent? A nurse? There is an appropriately sized name tag for each of these situations.

The fourth is the nametag’s shape. While this may seem a minor consideration, a unique shape can lend just the right amount of whimsy or seriousness to a name tag. Both our plastic engraved name tags and full color plastic name tags can be custom sized to give your nametag a personal touch.

And last, but not least, is the fun stuff – font and color! Our metal name tags and plastic engraved name tags come in a broad selection of color pairs, while our full color plastic name tags can be digitally imprinted with your full color logo. We also offer a number of different writing styles designed to complement your shape and color choices.

Who knew how much care and thought could go into choosing a name tag? Well, we did! And now that you know, too, you can use these guidelines to make the right choice when choosing your next name tag.

Join us next post when we’ll be talking about what, exactly, keeps your nametag where it should be. Until then, remember that…

We are here to serve you. That is what we are all about.
(888)754-8337
www.Name-Tags.net


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Name Tags 101: The Basics

I know what you’re thinking. “A blog about name tags!? How much can there be to say about name tags?” But you’d be surprised. In the 23 years that we’ve been in business, we’ve learned a lot about the ins and out of the nametag industry. This blog is a way of sharing that information with you.

Let’s start with the basics – name tag materials. What are name tags made out of? We offer three standard choices: Metal Name Tags, Plastic Engraved Name Tags, and Full Color Plastic Name Tags. Each option has its own appeal.

Our metal name tag, for example, has a brushed finish and is available in gold, silver, bronze, and white. It’s made of light-weight aluminum and has rounded corners. This makes the metal name tag ideal for office or corporate settings, where style is of the utmost importance.

Our plastic engraved name tag, on the other hand, is perfect for more casual situations and comes in a greater variety of shapes and sizes. Its two-color finish can even be given a brushed gold or silver look for added gravitas.

Last but not least is our full color plastic name tag, which – like the plastic engraved name tag – can easily be custom shaped. But instead of using just a surface and a core color, the name tag is digitally imprinted with your full color logo, giving it a vibrant attractiveness for the same cost as a 12 color badge!

Regardless of which nametag you choose, however, you can be sure you’ll receive a high-quality product made of only the finest materials. And each member of our team is personally responsible for ensuring that your order is completed correctly and delivered on time – every time.

Join us next post when we’ll be talking about how to select the correct size for your nametag. Until then, remember that…

We are here to serve you. That is what we are all about.
(888)754-8337
www.Name-Tags.net