Business Cards can be one of the fastest and most efficient ways to leave a lasting impression with potential clients, employers and contacts. They can give a reminder of who you are, what you do, where you are as well as how to reach you. Still, there are ways that your business cards may work against you without you even realizing it. I want to share a few easy ways how to be sure your business cards work for you.
After attending my very first Blog Conference last year along with a few Blogger MeetUps and Events I started to realize that although business cards can be a great way to make a first and lasting impression. Yet how to you make sure that impression is a good one?
There are several things you really must have as well as a few to avoid when designing your business cards. Leaving a person wondering or confused is the last thing you want to do but creating interest and curiosity are the first steps to that next contact.
[tweetthis]Your Business Cards are the lasting impact from your first introduction to your last impression. #Bloggie101 #TheMrsTee[/tweetthis]
MUST HAVES…
- Social Media Handles
- don’t just have social media icons – cards are not clickable
- be sure to include your actual handle
- if you have a consistent handle across several media networks you can print it once to represent all. This can save precious card space and show your consistent media presence. (ex: Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest: @themrstee)
- Easy to Identify Site URL
- be sure it is printed clearly prominently
- be sure that both your name and business name are clearly identified
- You want to sell you Brand but you also want to be the person behind that Brand.
- Clear representation of your brand identity
- include your Logo if you have one
- this will give something to be recognized when they follow your links and handles
- Easy to read fonts
- Scripts can be fun just be sure to select one that is readable when printed.
- Photo (optional but good)
- if you include one be sure it’s friendly, makes eye contact and falls in line with your Brand
- Brand consistency
- be sure your Business Cards are consistent with the look, style and message of your site and Brand.
- If your card looks nothing like what they will find when they look you up it will send mixed messages
AVOID
- Choose a readable font and color palette
- Don’t make reading your business card difficult
- It’s more likely they will move on to the next card
- Include where you have the most influence
- As a Blogger our Influence is our biggest selling point. So when you leave a business card behind you want the holder to be able to find that influence with ease.
- Simply having images of Social Media Icons is not enough. Include your handles and/or URLs.
Click Away Tips
- Updating your Business Cards is almost just as important as the content you have on them.
- be sure that your information is always current
- just like broken links on a site bad URLs or handles is not the impression you want to make
These are just a few tips that can make it easier to create and network with business cards that are able to speak for you even when you’re not there to do it yourself.
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique – build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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