Everyone needs a business card! Yes, even in today’s digital world the business card is alive and well.
The key to business is building relationships and that is done through networking and personal contact with people that you have met. Always keep current business cards with you and give them out to people with whom you connect. Don’t give your card to everyone, do present it to the connection – the person that you are beginning a business relationship.
Did you notice the word present? That’s present as if you are presenting something special to someone. And that is how you should feel when you provide someone with your card – it is special, it is precious not to be tossed around lightly.
So here are a few tips for having nice business cards:
When creating a business card, make it easy to read: the font is in a dark color and large enough to read easily.
- Don’t put so much info on your card that people can’t see your name, phone number and email.
- A slick / glossy finish looks terrific, just make sure that it isn’t so glossy that people can’t write on it. Most of us like to note where we met people and it’s really frustrating when you have to get out a sharpie marker to make your notes.
- If you are job searching, you need your own card, not one from the old company. Cards are inexpensive and it will say a lot about your level of professionalism what type of card you produce.
- When you hand your card to someone, present it in a manner that they can read it immediately – not upside down or backwards.
Another thing to note, you may not be aware that there are many people with visual difficulties who can read your card because it is 1) too light in color – looks pretty, but not readable; 2) fonts are too small. I experienced some difficulty with my sight a few years ago and it sure made a difference to me if I could read their cards or not. Sometimes I was bold enough to tell them that I couldn’t read their card just in case they wanted to make any changes.
That happened with one of my young professional friends. She showed me her new cards which were lime green and light gray on white – they were beautiful, but the gray was so light and the font so small I could not read it. So I asked if she’d like some feedback on her cards, which she accepted my comments and then said, “well I just ordered 2000 of them.” So when creating a new design you may want to send your proof to several people to get their feedback.
If I can be of help, feel free to contact me.
