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!”
59 thoughts on “How To Be Sure Your Business Cards Work For You Not Against You”
Article is just Great! Business card play very crucial role when any one sharing his/her initials, mostly in marketing to generate leads. So it important to know if the business card is perfect or not. These tips will help a lot at that moment. thanks for sharing.
Thank you! It truly can be such a big influence on how far a new connection can go. Thanks so much for coming by.
Great post and excellent points! I splurged for a fold-over biz card so I can place more info on the card. Always good to have them professionally done!
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Thanks so much Terri! I have seen those…very nice!
Great advice. I got some really nice cards, but made the mistake of using kraft paper, and the images looked horrible. I should have listened when the little pop up screen told me not to do that.. lol
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Thanks! Oh wow…see I wasn\’t brave enough to do my own. I know I am DIY Challenged… LOL
Great tips here! I have blog biz cards, but I have yet to hand one out! (I am sure that is not making my biz cards work FOR me.. haha!)
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Thanks! I’ve handed out a few and even placed them in local businesses – that can really help you gain local readers and even the eye of a local PR Rep 🙂
super awesome tips and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your business card.
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Thanks so much Karen!
These are great tips! Thanks for sharing. I would add don't use an all black card. Lots of people jot down reminders about your conversation on the back of your card in order to remind them of any follow ups they committed to in your conversation. They can't if it's black…unless they miraculously have a white pen with them (which might happen at a scrapbooking event, but nowhere else)…. and you've potentially lost an opportunity.
Thanks! That\’s a great tip…I haven\’t come across any but that is definitely a great reason why black may not be the best choice. Thanks for sharing!
I was just thinking about ordering business cards… Thanks for all the great tips~ Haley
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Yay! I’m sure they’re going to come out great! Thanks so much for coming by Haley 🙂
This is such a great post! I need to order new business cards ASAP – I've been out for a while now! This will definitely have me thinking more about the design. I think my old sign wasn't planned out as well as it could have been. Thanks so much!
Thanks so much Amanda! I would love to see the end results 🙂
Yup, all good points! I had my cards made earlier this year and I'm in love – I just used all the same graphics that compose my actual site, so my brand consistency is en pointe. Handing out cards or putting them in mail to giveaway winners or readers…it's so much fun!
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Thanks Erica!! That is a great way to be certain of consistency… isn’t it so much fun? I love mine too 😀
Great tips! I need to get new business cards done up soon, so I will be sure to incorporate any that I may have missed last time. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Brandee! I\’m sure your cards will come out great…thanks for coming by!
Great tips! Funny, I hadn't considered having blogger business cards, but after reading your post, it seems so obvious! Do you have them printed locally, or do you use an online print house? I have no idea where to even buy business cards in Denmark, I guess I have a new project 🙂
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Thanks Sage, yes business cards are really important when attending conferences with Brands or even local events. I use Vistaprint.com or Moo.com but I know many Bloggers who design and print them right at home. Since your in Denmark I would say an online source.
Our business cards in the company look very plain without any graphic, typography, or colors in it. I guess this means that we are just simply serious without creativity whatsover. All these must-haves are great tips to remember when creating a new business card design next time.
Design or even the lack there of is totally personal taste and style. I just suggest whatever you pick be cohesive with the style, design and feel of your site. That was it feels the same once they follow the information on the card 🙂
Great post! Finally after almost a year blogging, I ordered business cards. In addition of everything you mentioned above (minus the picture), I also included my phone number. I understand that not every one is tech savvy (older folks, especially) and they are more comfortable talking on the phone.
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Yay for you Anita! I know they can feel like big step. I’m not sure when I got my first step but I definitely felt like a ‘Big Girl Blogger’ when I did…LOL I do see the reasoning behind including a number but I would use a Google+ number to avoid having my personal home or cell phone on the card. That is a personal choice but the Google+ numbers are free, customizable (mine ends in MRSTEE) and easy to link to whatever number you’d like. If you want to know more about that feel free to reach out to me 🙂
Great tips! I'd never had business cards before I made my own to hand out on the press trips I was taking–I LABORED over those things. But I love the end result, so I guess it was worth it!
Thanks! I think we all want to be proud of the card we leave behind and that\’s a great thing! So worth it 😀
I had to order business cards the night before my conference last month!! I had failed to update them after changing jobs and it was outdated with missing some social media! I am going to have to remember these tips when I order new ones.
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Oh No!! Now that’s a rush order…LOL Yes, keeping your cards updated and current is very important.
great post. I love a simple yet detailed business card. I've never used a photo on mine but that's a cute idea.
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Thanks so much! Yes, a business card design is much like any style preference but just being sure you include the necessary information let’s you be able to add a bit of yourself to it either way.
Wow! Very insightful and helpful post! Thanks for sharing! I have actually created tons of cards because I am always running out. But thanks to your tips I have something to keep in mind next time I design the next batch. 🙂
Thanks!! So happy you found everything helpful…thanks so much for coming by!
These are great tips! I laughed so hard when I read "make sure to use handles since social media icons are not clickable" it seems like a duh moment but we get so use to using our icons I can see someone making that mistake!
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Thanks Betsy!! You know what it is so easy to forget. I collected more cards than I should have that had icons but no indication of what their actual handle was. The first thing I thought was “if only I could click the picture” LMBO
That's very useful information – thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you and thank you so much for coming by!!
Great tips! I also have a QR code on mine that takes you right ot my blog homepage, which I love. 🙂
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Thanks Justine!! So do I 🙂 My QR Code is on the back … Great way for quick access to your site!
This is a great post. I was just thinking that I needed to get business cards for my freelance writing. These are really great tips, especially about the social media. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks! Social media is often forgotten on business cards but now it had become such an important aspect of branding it is key to include them. Thanks so much for coming by!
This is definitely great, especially since I plan on ordering some business cards soon!
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Thanks Shaye!! I’m so glad they will come in handy 🙂
I really love this. I think putting a picture on your card is actually a GENIUS idea, since a lot of people are really visual. I'm definitely bookmarking your site, and will recommend to others when they need to order new cards!
Thank you…I think at least one image that represents you as a brand is a great idea. Thanks so much!
yes to this! When I went to my last conference, collecting each other's business cards was like playing Pokemon lol, we all wanted to have everyones! They get the creative juices flowing and I have redesigned mine to have a picture and to look more minimalist and with less clutter. This is great info!
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Haha at Pokemon..it really is. I remember getting back to my room and going through the stack I had accumulated throughout the day. So fun! Thanks so much Addie and thanks for coming by!
I like the idea of having your photo on your business card – especially as a blogger. I may do that the next time I re-order my cards.
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I do too…I do feel it should match or be similar in style and look to your profile images to maintain consistency. Thanks so much for coming by!
Great advice!
Thanks Kimberly and thanks for coming by!
These are such great tips. Too many times, people think that any old business card is enough, but it really isn't. You have to stand out above the rest if you want to make connections.
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Thanks Stacie! You’re right, business cards are such an important way to be certain you are remembered and making sure it’s in a good way is really key.
Thank you for this post! I am looking into getting new business cards and your post is going to beyond helpful!
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Of course…so happy you found it helpful Nicole 🙂
Oh thank you for this post. I need to order business cards for a blogging conference I'm going to next month and was quite stuck on what to put on them. I think adding my blog logo instead of my own photo would be better – no one wants to look at me! 🙂
Your Welcome. It really can be hard to decide. I think logo or photo is truly a personal choice as long as you give the card holder something they can visually connect to you and your brand.