Your business card is often the only thing people have to remember you by after meeting you, whether it’s at a networking event or a coincidental bump on the street. With that in mind, it makes sense to devote time and energy into designing cards that will leave the best possible impression. For job seekers, this is an extremely important aspect of networking that can make the difference in keeping a primary job contact – or not. Whether you’re looking for the perfect marketing job or trying to land a gig as a web developer, having a strong business card handy when attending networking events is a crucial part of the process.
Go visual The first thing people will notice about your card is the way it looks – the quality of the cardstock, the font, the gloss or matte finish. These things leave immediate and indelible impressions that speak volumes about you to others, whether they realize it right away or not. The Huffington Post recommends that paper thickness always be at least 120 pound or higher and to use the typography and color scheme to tell a story about you or your company. Don’t like your company card? Create your own personal card that represents you exactly the way you want to be portrayed to future employers. You could even explore different shapes or sizes other than the traditional 3.5-inch by 2-inch piece of cardstock. Slimmer cards have become quite fashionable in the recent years, as well as cards with rounded edges, as opposed to hard.
To use or not to use After the design, the next crucially important aspect of your card is the content it carries. How much information should you disclose? What should you leave out? Entrepreneur.com recommended including your name, the name of your company through the use of a logo, your phone number and email address. For freelancers or anyone unemployed, choose the title you think best represents what you currently do for work, or what you’d like to be doing. Choose a title that is professional and authoritative to ensure people take you seriously. When it comes to the back of your card, think carefully about whether it’s necessary to place information there, as people rarely turn cards over. If you do put information there, place extra information that isn’t necessarily imperative. Always make sure it adds value to the card, rather than obfuscate your message.
Keeping it affordable Contrary to what you may think, having an impressive business card doesn’t require breaking the bank. Many printing companies offer customizable templates at rates that are comfortable for most people. When going the low-budget route, Brandie Knox, creative director and principal at Knox Design Strategy recommended keeping it simple: don’t use too much color or crazy fonts that might cheapen the look of your card and detract from the important information you are offering. She told Business News Daily to focus on being clean and professional, always keeping in mind the business you’re in and on making the right impression. This may all seem like too much trouble for such a small piece of paper – but that piece of paper could mean the beginning or end of your marketing career or other great opportunity. A business card showcases not only business brands, but your personal brand, especially when you’re looking for a job, so don’t be afraid to create something that truly represents who you are. In addition to your memorable business cards, be sure to also update your LinkedIn and other social profiles so that when new contacts find you online thanks to your business card, the message your sending is consistent.
