What does your business card say about you? Top tips and what to avoid.

Your business card is one of your most important marketing tools, especially in the earlier days of business when you might not be able to afford more costly marketing collateral. You can start networking before you even start your business, but without a business card, how will people know how to stay in touch? Top Tips:

• Make sure all your contact information (including social media accounts if you have them) is clear and easy to read and in a font size big enough to be read for those of us without “superhero” vision.

• Use both sides of the card – that way you’ve just doubled the size of your ‘real-estate’ and the messaging you can share with your contacts. If you take appointments for your business, an appointment time and date on the back is a no brainer.

• Include a logo, picture or graphic image that you will use consistently on all of your marketing materials – start building your brand!

• Cards made of different materials or that are different shapes/sizes will make you stand out from the crowd. With that said, most good networkers take a business card holder with them to events so ensure your card will fit into that easily so it’s not lost by the recipient.

• Don’t cut corners and buy business cards that are thin and flimsy. The only thing they will be good for is using as a toothpick. 310 gsm is the standard thickness of paper business cards (don’t go less than that) and .5mm is good for plastic cards.

• Your business name is not enough. Make sure you add a short statement or tag line describing the products/ services you offer. This will assist the person receiving the card in being clear on what you can offer them.

• Don’t give out business cards that have out of date details on them such as old phone numbers, email addresses or location. Don’t cross out old details and try to re-use cards (unless you run a recycling business and then it could actually be a really good idea!). Cards are cost effective enough these days that a well planned and executed card should not have to change very often.

• Make sure you get a card from the people you meet, just in case they lose yours. Connect with them online (e.g. on LinkedIn etc) shortly after the event as this will allow you to keep in touch with them even if either of you misplace the cards after that.