How To Create A Good Business Card
Some people may consider business cards to be outdated but, whilst businesses utilise all the modern aspects of marketing and communication that the digital age has presented us, the more traditional business tools still serve a vital purpose. Printed business cards are still very much important and effective in all business environments.
When attending business meetings or networking events they are essential items in relating with potential customers or business partners – when used correctly, business cards are still powerful branding tools and physical reminders of your conversations with others. Here are some guidelines in how to design a good, professional-looking business card:
Design
You want your business card to stand out from others – designing a card that is unique and avoids the stereotypical, generic designs can elevate your business card above your competitors. Choose a design that is representative of yourself and your brand and ensure it displays all the important information you want a customer or client to know. The design should be well laid-out and easy to read – if you are going to use the back of the card for printing, ensure that the information is important enough to be included – do not print for the sake of using the space!
Size
Consider the size of your business cards – they can be produced in different shapes and sizes, and odd shapes may look original, but can be difficult to store and read. It is better to print business cards with which people are comfortable and familiar, in a size that is large enough to clearly display all the important information about you and your business, but is small enough to neatly tuck away into a pocket or wallet – keep in mind, many professional people carry business card holders for both storing other company business cards as well as distributing their own!
Readability
The most important aspect of your business card is that it is legible and eye-catching. Choose a font that is familiar to most people and avoid over-complicated, stylised lettering – whilst styled fonts may look beautiful, they can be difficult to read. Use a large sized font that will be easily read without people needing to take out glasses to see the all-important contact details.
Branding
Your business card should carry your company logo and any ‘tagline’ or phrase that is synonymous with your corporate identity. Be aware that, whilst this branding is important, it should not dominate your card – there is more essential content to fit into your card design.
Colours
Simplicity is the key here – eye-catching images can make your card stand out, but avoid garish, bright colours that will distract the eye from the important information and detail on your business card. Choose a dark print – black or navy – for easy reading.
Contact Details
The point of your business card is to inform – the important information on your card is your name and contact details, so include as much contact information as you can, giving the recipient options in how to contact you. Your phone number and email are essential, along with your company name, address, and website details. Do not over-populate or ‘cram’ your card content – if space allows, you can include any other social media platforms on which your company has a presence, but these are not essential! Keep it simple, but professional!
Quality
The quality of your business card is important – not just that the content is well-designed but that it is professionally printed on quality materials – your business card is often the first contact a prospective customer will receive from you and, if professional and high-quality, it can make that positive first impression – the other side of that is, of course, if your business card is poor quality, the assumption will often be that so is your product or service!
Other Considerations and Tips
Ensure you properly proofread your business card content before going to print – it is no good realising a misspelt detail or wrong number in your contact information when your print-run is completed! With regards to space on your business card, you may want to include a QR code on the reverse of your card which can initiate a ‘call to action’ for the card recipient, prompting them to access your company website or social media platforms.
Best Use and Protocol
Ensure that you always have business cards with you – even in social situations you never know when business opportunities may arise! Store your business cards in a smart card case to keep them clean and smart-looking – producing a card from a case looks professional and efficient and will make a good impression. Keep a stack of cards in your car and any other desks or business hubs/premises you frequent.
It is a good idea when attending meetings, conferences, and such, to always hand a card to the receptionist on arrival – they can then announce your name and company correctly. Don’t be too eager to hand out your cards immediately you engage with someone in a business meeting – you don’t want to appear desperate or ‘pushy’ – it is better to wait until they ask for your card and, when they do, hand the card with the words facing in their direction. On receiving somebody else’s card, show an interest and make a visible effort to read it before putting it away into your card case.
