It bothers me that so many people do not put time into their business card. Do they not realize how important this little sliver of paper or plastic is? Earlier this year I wrote an article called The Esteemed Business Card concerning the importance of a business card, but what info do you put on it?
Who Are You?
Always explain who you are on your business card. Simply putting “John Smith” and a phone number is not enough. Most likely the person you give your business card to receives dozens of cards a month. When he/she sits down at his/her desk and looks at your card and just sees “John Smith”, your card is going to be trashed.
Always give a short explanation of who you are and what you do. Instead of just having your name, put something like “John Smith, Walmart Production Manager”. This way when someone looks at your card a week or month later it is clear who you are.
Color!
It’s not the 30s anymore; black and white cards are not going to give the impression factor that you are looking for. Make sure you put color on your card. This can be done by a catchy background design, colored text, or a photo of yourself or logo. Excluding your photo/logo, refrain from putting too much color. Over coloring your business card can cause confusion when looking at it. For best results, limit yourself to 2 or 3 colors.
Contact Information
Too many times people make their business cards confusing by putting too much information. Unless it is essential, do not put 3 phone numbers. Most likely your fax is not necessary and unless you work at home your home number is not important. The only two numbers I would put on my card is your office number and your cell number. I would also have my email address (ONE! Not every email you have ever created.) and if needed I would include my company website. This will be more than enough information to contact you.
Key Things to Remember
There are several different ways to design your business card, but regardless of how you choose to do so there are a few ‘must-does’ to remember:
- Always explain who you are! Do not just put your name!
- Make your card attractive! Background designs and color are great ways to catch someone’s eye, but don’t get carried away.
- Do not over-cram your card! Putting too much information on your card can cause confusion and give the viewer a migraine. Remember, there is a backside to your card if needed.
- Have a durable card. Business cards get tossed around like a football at a backyard barbeque. Make sure that a few drops of water don’t cause the ink to run and smear. Using a plastic card is a great way to prevent this. (not to mention that plastic can also help your cards attractiveness)
Keeping these tips in mind, I have no doubt that your business card will draw more attention, help you gain more strong contacts, and cause your business to grow.
Adam Conner, Print and Marketing Expert
Check out My1Stop.com for your business card printing and custom gift cards