Business Card Advice
Keys to a Professional Business Card
Written by Chukwuma Asala for Gaebler Ventures
What makes a professional business card look professional?We have all seen business cards that instantly strike us as professional, and we've also seen some cards that make us question what the person who owns the business card was thinking when they created them.
Your company's or personal business card is really an extension of yourself so keep that in mind when creating your business card. Here are some quick tips on creating business cards that are professional:
Make sure you have a website
The internet has revolutionized the way almost everything is done today. The business world is no different. Even the most conventional and traditional "mom and pop" stores have a website that that may not be used much for commerce online purposes but can be used for information about their products. To have a business card today with no company website is almost ludicrous. Most people will not take you seriously if your business card does not have a website that they can go to so they can gather more information about your business at their own time. To sharpen your image, make sure you get a website setup. It is relatively inexpensive to hire someone to build you a website. Do it even if all your website will have is a few pages. It will boost the first impression people have of you and your business.
Less is more
Remember the point of a business card is to provide people with two things: contact information, and a link to more information about you and your company. Keep in mind however that if people expect to learn everything about your company through your website they are missing the point of business networking. The business card initiates the communication but does not complete it. It is more important for them to use your business card as a way to get a hold of you or to learn some more about your company to find out if they would want to get into some more detail. Don't over load your business card with unnecessary information like mission statements, too many numbers to contact, too many other e-mails, etc. A professional business card usually has just enough for someone who is serious to get in touch with you or view your company website. I safe rule of thumb would be to include your name, title, business name, business number, fax, and address.
Make it conservative
In the world of business it is always safer to err on the conservative side. This simply means with business cards, try and keep it simple. You will find more people in business who will appreciate you being more conservative with your designs or patterns. Your business card design is not an opportunity for you to over-express yourself. Remember the goal is to be relatable so widen your funnel by keeping it simple.
Chukwuma Asala is an international student from Nigeria who is studying to earn an MBA from the State University of New York in Albany. He has analyzed more than 20 industry case studies throughout his education thus far, and hopes to bring some of his business knowledge to Gaebler.com.
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