600 years and still going strong. Yes, this is a career that a business can boast — and for a good reason. The digital era did not kill it. Printed business cards are going strong against LCD monitors, scanners, social media, and QR codes.
A business card:
● … is not just about contact information. A card is also a branding piece that presents your logo and corporate identity to the world;
● …is a less awkward way to cut to the chase during a conversation. Just say “Here’s my card” when the time is right;
● …makes a classier flyer. You won’t be standing in the corner handing your cards out. But you can leave a couple someplace noticeable, like a coffee shop or a hotel reception. Their minimalist style is a good contrast with a usual pile of over-the-top flyers;
● …harder to get rid of. You need to be an absolute barbarian to throw away a business card, and that’s just a gut feeling the majority of people will have. So even if a person you have your card to doesn’t have a separate cardholder, it will still stay with them for a while. Even if it means waiting for its turn in their pocket.
Business Cards In 2021: How To Proceed?
First of all, if you are afraid that the younger generation (a.k.a. Gen Z) or some tech-savvy millennials will look at your card as if it’s a fossil, don’t be. A rational person will appreciate having all your information in one place, to study it later in peace.
Instead of going back and forth, trying to figure out what platform or messenger would work the best for a certain client, you just give them the opportunity to decide it without any rush.
Things to consider while creating a business card:
● Size. If you go for a standard shape, use a 3.3 x 2.1 inches template.
● Name. First, then last.
● Title. This is crucial. You’re selling your skills here, after all.
● Logo. The one you use everywhere. Studying famous successful brands for inspiration always helps.
● Company name. Don’t forget the line of work.
● Contacts:
✓ Website. No http:// or www.
✓ Social media accounts. And here’s the catch. Social media handles don’t look that pretty on cards — but there’s no doubt they are often crucial. You can actually use a QR code redirecting to a site like Linkkle or iLink where you can easily compile all your socials.
✓ Business telephone number. Preferably the one you use for your messengers. Don’t forget the area code.
✓ Address. Only necessary if your place of business requires visits. In other cases, it can always be found on your website.
✓ City. Actually more important than including your full address. If someone who already has your card stops at your location for a business trip, they might just remember to reconnect with you. It’s also great for giving your clients an idea about your time zone/availability.
✓ E-mail. The one you actually check.
● Slogan. If you have a brief and witty one — go ahead.
● Print&paper quality. Goes without saying. Also, add texture! Appeal to kinesthetic learning: let people memorize the way your card feels in their hand.
● Some blank space. Not only it adds to the readability, but it also lets a recipient add notes. And notes mean usability.
Things to avoid:
● Info dump. Do not turn it into a Wikipedia page. There’s no need to list all your skills and services here. That’s what the contact information is for. Your card is a bait — not the entire fish pond. A title and company’s name should be enough.
● Unfortunate colors and typography:
╳ Flashy gaudy shades.
╳ Gradients.
╳ Font blending into the background.
╳ Tiny font (smaller than 8pt.)
╳ Text direction and fonts that take ≤ 0,0001 seconds to read and register.
╳ More than one image (a logo is enough.)
╳ Lack of visual emphasis.
╳ Gloss or lamination (slippery, doesn’t allow to make notes on a card.)
● “Puzzles.” The original card doesn’t mean a literal jigsaw. Unless you’re The Riddler.
However… What About Breaking The Rules?
The “things to avoid part” we listed in this article is mostly about keeping things tasteful. But that doesn’t mean you need to stick with traditionalism and minimalism. So go rogue and be bold. Your business card must a) be informative b) be memorable. How you achieve that is a different story.