First, let me just say I can’t believe I have to write this post. But it appears I must, so let’s get after it.
I was at a networking event recently and received a bunch of business cards. See the woman in the picture? That’s me as I look at these cards on my desk. Here’s what I’ve got:
1. An artist’s card who thought it would be… artistic to have one of her paintings dominate the card and then make it nearly impossible to reach her – the font is tiny.
2. I am actually holding in my hand a business card for an established salon that has no email address on it. Wow.
3. Here’s another business card with the person’s name, bright & bold and her contact information is easy to read. Yet, there is no company name or a description of what she does. She may be someone I would like to get to know, but how do I know if she is or isn’t?
4. This is unbelievable. Now I have a business card with everything on it except the person’s name. The person’s name is not on the card!
5. I’m looking at another one where the business owner has provided me with a ton of information and multiple ways to get a hold of him – which is great. However, the font is a 3. Literally. Sadly, he has lots of unused space on the back of his card which he could have used for some of his contact info in a bigger font.
People, when was the last time you looked at your cards?I am all about being memorable. But being memorable doesn’t matter if I can’t reach you.
Besides avoiding all of the above, here are some positive suggestions:
Business Card Do’s
1 – Want to be memorable? Put your picture on your card. And for Pete’s sake, use a picture that looks like you.
2 – Use heavy-weight paper. Flimsy cards say flimsy business.
3 – One of the things I teach in my business boot camp is how to engage the senses at all points of the customer experience. To that end, make one side glossy and the other side matte. The glossy side feels good to the touch. The matte side allows people to write on the back of the card.
4 – Need some inspiration? Check out The Most Creative Business Cards from 2010.
Got any crazy business card stories? Any pet peeves? Any suggestions?
Evidently, people need to know.
Related Posts:
- How To Create An Irrelevant Brand
- Mirror Mirror on the Wall – How to Create Your Brand
- What You Need to Know About Your Competition
Alicia Arenas is a business coach and corporate trainer. When she’s not singing or song-writing, she helps her entrepreneurs increase their sales through coaching and her business boot camp. Alicia is located in San Antonio, Texas, but coaches people nationwide.
Photo courtesy of Evil Erin via Flickr.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post Alicia – one of the things we always suggest to our customers is that they get a matte 2nd side, no matter what’s on the front. Even if you meet someone that doesn’t have a card, you can write their info on your own for later!
Creativity is great, but creativity that clouds purpose or communication, should only be used for walls, not cards!
PromoGeorge
Brilliant observation about creativity clouding purpose. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Hopefully people will pay attention!
Great post. So many people forget their card is a marketing tool…
You’re so right Sharlyn. They’re important “collateral” in a company’s marketing arsenal. Thanks for stopping by.
what is your opinion on people putting QR codes on one side of their business card?
Ooooh. That sounds pretty creative Todd. Tell us more about how you would use them.
I love QR codes! That way you can just take a pic with your phone scanner app and cool things pop up in your browser. I also like a matte card back because sometimes I write little notes about them. The cards on my desk look pretty good for the most part, a couple of them don’t say what the person’s title is. What’s up with the peeps down your way???
Who knows Karla? But thanks for your input on QR codes.
Awesome post! You are right, we shouldn’t need to be reminded of the obvious, but sometimes, we just do! Since I’m getting ready to order new business cards, timing of this post was perfect! Thanks so much for all that you do to keep up business owners up to date and in the know.
Hi Michelle! I’m glad this was good timing for you. Thank you for stopping by.
I like QR codes, but I think use depends on who your market is. It’s still new enough technology that not very many people know what it is. On the other hand, it’s a great conversation starter, if that’s a marketing message you want to make. My pet peeve: square or over-sized business cards. They don’t fit into your stack or your wallet.
You’re so right Debi. I’m not a fan of over-sized cards. Those are usually the ones that end up falling to the bottom of my purse and don’t get retrieved until I clean it out…
I’m intrigued by the QR codes. I like that concept.
My pet peeve is non-standard business cards – whether too large or too small. Those little ones are cute, but they can easily get lost in the shuffle. I generally keep them separate and often lose track of them.
Hi Barbara! I think Debi agrees with you too. I wonder if card scanners have problems with the little cards?
Well, I almost followed all your do’s for my new “grassroots” cards.