Business Networking - Pick A Card, Any Card

Ever go to a business networking event and not bring any business cards with you?

Believe it or not, we've seen that happen many times. We meet someone whose business seems interesting or the person seems interesting and we ask for a card. Lo and behold, they forgot to bring them! Or they didn't have one for a number of different reasons. We've heard them all - "My dog ate them," "I'm having them made," "I forgot," "They're in my other car," "They're in my other pants."

How pathetic!

Let's say that you're not one of those folks. Let's say that you DO have business cards with you and you're eager to hand them out. Ah, but what do they look like? What I mean here is, is this a good card design or a bad card design? You didn't know that there was a difference? Let me introduce you to the world of Bad Business Card design.

Imagine you have your own construction firm. Your business card tells absolutely EVERYTHING that your business does: commercial construction, home construction, general contracting, plumbing, electrical, air conditioning/heating, roofing, siding, concrete work, fencing, landscaping, windows, garbage removal, we name it, you do it!
Then you have 14 phone numbers to be reached at. You have 2 business addresses. You've been in business since the beginning of the century. You service 5 different cities. You have 1389 satisfied customers who can give references. You have a motto. You have graphics. And this is just on the front. I can't wait to see what the back says.

Or how about this: you're a real estate agent. You card has your company logo. That's good. You have your basic contact info and a small picture of yourself. Excellent. Unfortunately, you chose a red background and your printing is in black. No one can see it because of the dark background. Also the font is in script. Not good!
I've actually got a card in front of me right now that would look O.K. but she's got SIX telephone numbers on it! And a fax number. And an email address. And a web address. I've got another card here that has a leopard skin background. Oh, my!

Folks, you have to stop and think what image you're trying to portray here. This business card is one of the first things people will see, and if they actually keep it after you leave it's perhaps the ONLY thing they will have to remember you by. Is it important to you that you don't look like an idiot?

What should a business card look like?
It should be simple, to the point and perhaps eye-catching, but not for the reason that it's U.G.L.Y. It should look clean. It should have a picture of you so that others recognize you when they see your business card or remember you from your last meeting, whenever that was. Your picture should be as good as you can get it. Your name should be prominent on the card. Your card should have BASIC contact info on it. Perhaps either your cell phone number or your direct line number should be large enough to attract the reader's eye. You don't need to put every phone number that you've ever had on the card. In many cases, you probably don't even need a mailing address or a fax number. If someone wants to mail you something, they can call you for the address. Then you get to talk to them in person if you're not so busy that your machine talks to them instead. Your card might have your logo on it. If you do dark colored background, make sure your printing is in white. If your background is light, make your printing black or blue or some other dark color to contrast with, so people can easily read the information. And don't make the printing so teeny tiny that folks have to squint to read it! If you insist on putting lots of info on the card like experience, licenses, mottos, etc, then put that stuff on the back of the card.

Remember, first impressions count even with business cards. Take your time and think out the design. Approach others for impressions and opinions on prototypes before committing to print, and choose a good printer. Many times they can help you with your design.

As a business person, EVERYTHING you do reflects on you and your business, whether you know it or not. If you give people extra cards to refer others, if you hand out cards to anyone who asks for them or give them to anyone and everyone, your "reputation" is getting around. Make sure you look professional and competent.
Oh, and make sure you actually have them with you! Don't leave them in your other pants!

To your business networking success!!


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