We had a fantastic meeting about business cards today in our regular Wednesday Organic Marketing class. We had a basket of hundreds of cards, picked our favorites and picked on those that weren’t. Collectively we came up with a list of do’s and dont’s as they pertain to your business cards.
What is the purpose of a card?
1. Holds your contact information
2. Creates an emotional impact on the viewer, so they remember you
3. It should be memorable
4. 4. It’s a point of reference
What a business card is NOT:
1. It is not a brochure
2. It is not an advertisement
3. It is not a place to put everything
4. It’s not a place for small fancy writing
Here is the information that should be included on your business card:
1. Your photo. we want to know who we are referencing with the card. Especially if you do a lot of networking, putting your picture on the card helps people remember who you are. People are much better with remembering faces than they are names, make it easier for them! When they go to look you up on Facebook when your pictures match they know they have the right person.
2. Include your basic contact information, name, company name phone number, email, website, and some reference to physical location
3. Make sure you include some reference to what you do on your card. If your name says it all that’s great. If it’s not clear at first glance give a few word explanation of what you do
The quality of the cardstock is important as well as the look, feel and color scheme. Stand out from the crowd. Do something other than a white card with black text. Use all of the real estate available on the card, the front and the back, or use two fronts. Be creative, memorable and make a statement.
What are some of the best things you have seen, the worst, and your favorites? Share your stories, or better yet drop off some examples or pop them in the mail!
What’s on your business card?
This post was written by
Sandi Maki, InSights Group – who has written 791 posts on InSights Group.
Bliss in a Bubble – In the moment – my favorite place to be. As a creative outlet, I enjoy ‘Heavy Breathing Just Before Midnight‘ – a series of podcasts on fun, interesting, and random topics that I share at sandimaki.com. At InSights Group – I mastermind, coach, consult, and use Organic Marketing to empower businesses tell their stories to the world to become more productive and profitable – especially in the online world. I am also a coach and take on personal clients to help empower positive changes and growth within their lives and businesses. I have experience in many areas of philosophy and psychology including face reading, personality studies and motivation, as well as many holistic modalities such as Reiki Master, and core-conscious transformation. With Legendary Escapes I’m a partner in a trio of swimming pool companies from construction to service to online sales – we are changing the industry – and the experience of customers across the country – based in Brighton, MI.
Ann Burton says:
Good post Sandy. I love to bless the higher purpose of every card I come across. It fulfills me and brings me joy to tap into other’s life work. These are time of great opportunity to bless … can’t wait to see what’s next! Dr Ann
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Merry Sherman says:
Sorry I had to miss Wednesday, would like to have been there. Here my ears should have been burning (as usual). I have found that cards without pictures (at least in my files) either get tossed or put on the bottom of the pile as I can’t remember who they were or what we spoke of. I still like to keep the back side of my cards free so I can write notes on them to those I give them to. Have a great day.
Merry, the Cake Lady
dave van de walle says:
I like, tho I don’t totally agree with the picture element. I always thought those were for real estate people?
If you’re building a personal brand, that’s fine – expected – but otherwise you should focus on branding the business AND yourself.
But otherwise, love the post!
Dr Marlene says:
I give them a reason to look at my card for a long period of time. I have a logo that is also a quick question game. They play, they look, they never forget me. I have had people say 2 years later “I remember you, you are the one with that interesting logo.” Yeees! p.s. being a redhead helps!