Your business card can serve many purposes. It can be a literal introduction to prospective customers and clients when you send it to them along with a flyer. It can be a way for customers to keep your contact information handy. That’s why business cards are left in holders on desks and in reception areas. However, not all business cards are created equal. Here are our top tips for creating awesome business cards.
Remember That It Is Not a Resume
If you want to create a great business card, remember that it isn’t a resume. The business card needs to be more visually engaging, since it is smaller and easier to lose. Include your logo and business name in large font, but don’t try to cram in several lines describing your business. Describe yourself as a baker or lawn service instead of putting ten bullet items detailing everything you do. Go for the 10,000 foot level description instead of trying to include every relevant term.
On the flipside, ensure that the business card is readable. The ideal business card has name, address, phone number and website information in text large enough that someone who needs reading glasses won’t need to get them out to read your contact information. Note that fancy fonts and complex graphics can get in the way of readability. Save the artwork for your logo, but use easy to read fonts for key information.
Design It for the Worst Environmental Conditions
A surprising number of people design business cards and print them on cheap paper. That may work if you’re attaching them to a flyer on an indoor billboard, but it becomes unreadable if left on someone’s front door. Thin paper tears up or smears when you’re storing it in a wallet. This is why business cards must be printed on good card stock. More importantly, the ink and images need to withstand routine handling and whatever environmental exposure it will have to endure. On a lesser note, design custom business cards with blank space around the edges so that dirty finger prints from handling don’t make your phone number or email address unreadable. And choose a standard card size. If it won’t fit in someone’s wallet, they probably won’t hold onto it.
Provide Value
Business cards must include your business contact information. This makes your name or business name, address, phone number and email address essential no matter what business you’re in. Take things to the next level and include a call to action. Here are several examples. “Call us to cater your next big event.” “Got bugs? We’ll get them.” “We’ll take care of X so you don’t have to.” This call to action serves several purposes. First, it reminds them of what you offer. Second, it pushes them to contact you if they are in need of your services.
Use the Back of the Business Card
One good way to get the most out of the business card is to use the back of the business card strategically. For example, this is a good place to put your logo and tagline. That builds brand awareness, and it improves the odds the business card is read if someone sees the back of it.
Image by TeroVesalainen