Utilizing your business card

This is a great example of a clean, attention-grabbing business card. Photo credit: ocularinvasion

Even in today’s digitally driven world, the business card remains the simplest, most powerful marketing tool you can use when meeting potential business connections in person.

According to Melissa Stanger of Business Insider, “your business card isn’t just a calling card, it’s a snapshot of your brand.” This makes business cards extremely important when making your first impression. It can be difficult to know what to include, what not to include, and how to make your card stand out. Sounds like a lot of pressure, huh? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Make them unique: Create an interesting design, or use an eye-catching pattern. You can even play with textures, or shapes. However, depending on your field, it may be best to go for a more traditional card. According to Rieva Lesonsky of the U.S. Small Business Administration, you should be careful not to get carried away. She writes, “I still remember a metal business card someone gave me back in the 1980s. Why? Because I tossed it in my purse and one of the sharp corners tore a hole in the lining.”
• Remember to connect online: Update your card by including not just the address of your business, but also any relevant social media pages, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, where you’re likely to engage with people on a professional level.
• Consider a QR code: Adding a QR code can be helpful for your connections, making it easier for them to connect with you, or your business, online.
• Keep your card simple: Try not to clutter your card with information that’s not useful, such as a Pinterest account that you don’t really use. Also, make sure your text is easily readable.
• Quality over quantity: Josh Spiro, of Inc.com, writes, “A snazzy business card is no good if you hand it out left and right.” He recommends only passing along your business card when you make a genuine connection. It’s not going to be helpful for you to hand them out to every single person you meet, as the people who aren’t actually interested will simply throw them out. Make your cards count by giving them to people who are actually interested in your business.

Following these tips will help you and your business card to make a valuable impression on potential clients, and give you a leg up when marketing yourself in person.