This little seemingly insignificant 2″ x 3 1/2″ piece of paper can be the difference between a follow up or no follow up after a networking event like a Trade Show, or Conference.
There are really only 2 purposes for your business card, Establish your Brand and provide your Contact Information.
Here are some tips about what NOT to do with your card.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Font Frustration
Don’t make your font too small. Avoid light colors and distracting elements.
Your name, company and relevant contact information should be easy to read at arm’s length. Don’t make me get my readers out. It makes us both look bad.
Icon Overkill
Only include social icons if it is important to your company.
If you haven’t secured your vanity URL ( ie: www.Facebook.com/MarkitMotion ) then a Facebook icon is unhelpful. Facebook thanks you for the advertising though. You must list the full URL if you can’t be found by name.
Unless you have a purpose for showcasing your social presence, leave it off your card. If you don’t manage your social sites, it’s like inviting someone to your house when you’re out of town.
Information Overload
Your Business Card is not a brochure. Decide what’s important first, before you design it.
- Do you need your address if no one ever comes to your business?
- Do you use a fax anymore?
Inconsistent Branding
Is your logo the same as on your website or store front? Policing your brand is crucial to building trust. Be sure your logo is consistent and clear.
Don’t forget about the back of your card. This is a great place to share your brand message or logo. Reinforce a promise or give directions.