What Your Business Card Says About You and Your Brand

In the age of social media, LinkedIn and other business contact apps out in the world, business cards are holding the fort of printed media. Business cards are important for the sole reason that your potential client or customer needs to contact you. However, with everyone using smartphones, the business card has transformed itself to an extension of your brand.

Branding, such a big word in marketing but simply put, it is “derived from who you are, who you want to be and who people perceive you to be.” In a face-to-face setting such as a meeting or a networking event, exchanging business cards is a common practice making it the first impression of your brand. The visual and tactile experience, along with the connection is hard to replicate with putting in contact information on a smartphone.

Personal Business Cards

For personal business cards, the brand is called – me, myself and I. Job-seekers have a golden opportunity in getting hired with their very own business cards. In representing yourself, that tiny piece of paper should speak volumes on your skills and professionalism that can lead to impressing potential employers.

Take your business card to networking events, job fairs or social gatherings as it can serve as a minute version of your resume. Job-hunters know the significance of networking and in talking about what you do. You’ll never know when the doors of opportunity will knock.

Personal business cards hardly have a specific format or layout but here’s a few ideas on what to include:

• Contact details – It can include your email address, home address and a telephone number.
  Social media accounts – Don’t let the company Google you, state your LinkedIn profile URL, Twitter, Facebook or
• Instagram account as well as your website or blog.
• Specialization – Are you working in a certain niche? Keep it short and include your areas of expertise under your name.
• Logo or photo – If your brand includes your very own logo that represents your skills, include it in your card. Persons working in sales, real estate or entertainment usually include their photo in the card. It is up to you if you think that including your photo is in line with what you are projecting.

Corporate Business Cards

Take a look at your current card, does it speak about your company and its philosophy? How will you make your brand live without having to explain it? These are the essential questions.

These types of cards are about representing a business that you own or work for in usually a 3.5in x 2in card stock. The corporate business card is an extension of your company thus should reflect it. If your logo is green but on the card it’s blue, there’s already disconnect for your potential customer. Make your business cards as your silent sales force; they must mirror your company’s products and services.

The card stock, font, layout design and printing of your business card all contributes in making the right first impression. With just the right amount of creativity, your card can serve as an icebreaker to stimulate conversation. The strategy is to produce a business card design that’s attractive, targeted, professional and informative.

In a business setting, cards should include the following information:

• Name and Designation – This is especially important for employees who are representing the company.
• Contact information – Company email address and location as well as the telephone number and website.
• Logo – Best to use your company logo and color scheme for overall brand consistency.
• Blank Space – Keep the back blank as most people only look at the front of the card. If you do wish to put something at the back, make sure it is minor information.

Do you think that your business card reflects you and your brand? Evaluate your current one by browsing through other people’s business cards. Do they have a great layout? Is the information easy to find? Does professionally printed cards make a great impression? Can you determine the company services based on the card?

Don’t underestimate the power of a tiny piece of paper. Make a positive impact by looking at your services or your company as a whole and translate that into a business card branding powerhouse.