By: Catherine Carol Lott Photo by: Lexy Ward of The Proper Pinwheel
You already know why business cards matter. However, what those cards say and how they look is incredibly important; and if you don’t have yours yet, jumping into creating one can be a bit overwhelming. Should you include all of your social media contact info, or just one? What colors should you use? Should it be a traditional size, or a different shape to make it stand out?
Unfortunately there’s not a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to creating business cards, so you’re going to have to answer those questions yourself. But, here are some tips to help you get that thought process started.
Content
- Be particular about what you include on your business card. Draft a list in order of importance of what you want someone to remember about you. This way you’ll be sure not to exclude any important information once you get into the design phase. Here are some elements to consider:
- Blog title/Site (Or business name)
- Your name
- Job title
- Email address
- Phone number
- Website
- Logo
- Physical or Mailing address
- Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
- Tagline
- Famous quote
- Photo (personal or products)
- Unique selling proposition
- Call to action
- Your words of wisdom
- Consider imagery instead of words to tell your story. An image can be so much more memorable, and can make your card pop. If you blog about baking, see if you can incorporate a photo of your treats.
- Make it easy for your recipient. Instead of just social media icons, consider including your handle too so they can easily find you. Or, use a QR code to send them straight to it.
Design
- Your business card should match your brand. If you’re just starting out and don’t have a brand yet, this is your opportunity to get started.
- Make it personal. You’ll make the first impression, but your business card will leave the lasting impression. Make sure it represents you or your business in a way you want others to remember you.
- Everything matters on your business card. Pay attention to the colors, shapes, typography, and imagery; even the type of paper you use can effect how your card is interpreted.
Yes, it’s a lot to think about, but it’s an important part of your promotions. Don’t cut any corners when it comes to this marketing piece.
Don’t have business cards for the conference yet? Don’t sweat it! There’s still time to order your custom designed business cards.
Catherine Carol Lott is a public relations and marketing professional with a specialty niche in small business and nonprofit communications. She writes for TinyPrints.com as a small business blogger and can be followed on Twitter @CatherineCarol.
