How to Make a Killer Business Card
Jun 30, 2017
The
meteoric rise of online networking has changed the way we build our
career circles. But in-person introductions still rule the networking
world, and business cards are still its currency.
Done
right, a good business card can be a powerful branding tool that nudges
the person receiving it to deepen your professional connection,
through LinkedIn, networking apps, or email. It’s the connective tissue
to your next career move , and it deserves the same consideration
you’d put into a résumé or cover letter.
“While
it’s possible to exchange information online, when you meet people in
person at networking events, conferences, or by chance, you need
business cards,” says Carolyn Betts, CEO of Betts Recruiting. "If you’re in a professional business, having that tangible takeaway is still a best practice."
So
what makes a good business card? We ran that question by career coaches
and branding specialists, and created a blueprint for the modern worker
based on their advice.
Below,
you'll find four expert-approved business cards, with downloadable
templates, for four different types of professionals. Print a stack at
home, using business card paper from an office supply store, or tap an
on-demand printing service like Vistaprint or Moo (FYI: if you use a professional service, you may need to save your design as a JPEG or pdf image beforehand).
Whichever
route you choose, consider spending a few extra bucks on a card case to
help lug them around. A business card is your introduction to the
professional world — a dirty, ripped, or otherwise damaged one doesn't
make for a good first impression.
The Company Card
If
you’re a business owner, or want to take advantage of your employer’s
name recognition, that should be the focal point of your business card.
Put the company name on the front of the card, along with a logo and
tagline, if those are available to you. Use the back to list your name,
title, address, phone number, and company website.
Jay
Meschke, president of CBIZ Talent and Compensation Solutions, says
company cards should have a clean, minimal design with an easy-to-read
font and a sturdy card stock. Funky sizes are on-trend — a
larger-than-average business card will stand out, the thinking goes —
but he recommends sticking to the traditional size of 3.5 x 2 inches. If
you’re trying to make it into someone’s wallet, pocket, or Rolodex (yes, people still buy Rolodexes) why would you give them a business card that won't fit?
“If
you’re working for a business, that’s your personal calling card,” he
continues. “Using a good card stock and a professionalized logo is
more important.”
The same goes for content, says Megan Morahan, a creative director at the custom- printing company Vistaprint.
“It should be easily digestible for whoever is receiving it,” she says. “The less info you put on there, the better."
The Personal Brand
Some professionals are better served by an individual business card — like those who work in the gig economy, are between jobs, or want to stand on their own merit, rather than an employer’s.
If
you fall into one of these categories, your name should be the most
prominent feature, and the design should play to your personality.
"T he key is to have the card match the message you want to send,” says Nicole Wood, CEO and founder of the career coaching company Ama La Vida. “What
do you want people to pick up on? If you’re young, funky, and unique,
that’s the story you’re trying to sell. But if you’re more about
credibility and professionalism, that's what you need to reflect."
The
content will vary depending on your profession — a freelance writer
might link to Twitter, while an electrician reentering the workforce
could add a Yelp review that speaks to her credibility. Make sure you
link to samples of your work product via your personal website or
portfolio, as well as your LinkedIn account (make sure that profile is up to date, while you’re at it).
Lisa
Rangel of Chameleon Resumes recommends adding a quick tagline that sums
up what you have to offer (“Freelance Web Design”) or your most
meaningful skills (see above). Be discerning with the information you
choose to include, she advises.
“Design
with the user, and not your ego, in mind,” Rangel says. “Don't stuff
too much on the card trying to impress someone. Instead, use smart word
placement to pique interest and motivate further contact.”
The Creative
If
you’re in a creative field like design, advertising, or fashion, you
can afford to be a little more experimental with your business card.
Vistaprint’s
Morahan suggests making the card a cheeky nod to your profession -- a
photographer might use one side of the card to show off a favorite
photo; a craft beer brewer could mimic the shape of a coaster.
You
can also play with the dimensions of the card, with a unique style
(square, rounded corners) and bold colors. Keep in mind that, while you
get more creative license than, say, a financial planner, the objective
of the card--to promote your work and facilitate new professional
relationships--is the same. The above example is eye-catching, but it’s
not distracting.
“
You don’t want to try to make it so much fun that it's actually
overriding the content of the card," Ama La Vida’s Wood says. “Make it
clear how to get ahold of you.”
The Globe Trotter
If
you do a lot of international travel, a bilingual business card might
be the way to go. This example, which has the same information printed
in Japanese on one side and English on the other, is standard practice
for professionals that operate in both countries. A quick Google search can point you to dozens of companies that do translations for these types of cards, if you need it.
Employees
who split their time between several different countries can also use
their card to list the cities in which their company does business, Wood
suggests.
Either
way, make sure you include all the ways people can contact you inside
and outside the U.S. — your cell phone, Skype, and WhatsApp usernames
are good places to start.
As
with every other example on this list, don’t overcrowd your business
card with too much information. Your overseas connections appreciate a
little white space just as much as your American ones, so opt for an
all-English version over one that tries to mesh several languages
together.
“You
want to have business cards that reflect what you do and who you are,”
says Carolyn Betts. “If there’s too much info, no one is going to take
the time to look at it.”
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