How to Create Personal Business Cards That Make an Impression
People throw out 88% of business cards within a week of receiving them. Learn how to make personal business cards that your associates will want to hold onto.
Your business card has to stand out in order to make the cut. Out of the 10 billion business cards printed each year, people throw out 8 billion of them.
You, too, can reap the benefits of a quality business card. Here's what you should know about designing a business card:
Personal Business Cards Include Your Information
If you're wondering what to include on a business card, look no further than your personal information.
Your business cards need to have important information about you on it. This includes your full name, job title, phone number, and e-mail address.
If you're active on social media, include your social media handles. It'll increase your engagement and follower count.
If your business or office is tied to a physical location, include that address as well.
Don't forget to add your personal website too. This invites people to learn more about you and your business.
Make sure all of the information is clear and legible. All of your copy should be 5 mm away from the trim edge.
Proofread Your Information
Proofreading your information is important. If you don't, you could wind up spending money on business cards that have a typo on it.
A single typo can thwart the entire experience of receiving a business card. Just 1 typo can ruin your name, number, e-mail address, or social media accounts. It can also lead your associates to the wrong places.
To be safe, proofread your information 5 times. If you're not good at editing, hire a professional to write your information for you.
Use Your Logo
If you or your business have a logo, include that logo on the card. Doing this will lead to increased brand recognition among everyone you give your card to.
Your logo shouldn't take up too much space. There must be enough room for your information to be clear. Putting a little logo in the corner or off to the side works well.
If you don't have a logo, this next option will suit you well:
Incorporate Images
Good business card designs have images. Business card graphics should stand out from the rest of your own card as well as other business cards.
You can use a picture of yourself. Make sure it's a professional headshot. Don't use a regular selfie.
If you don't have a logo, you can use a symbol or image that relates to your business. For instance, if your business involves writing, include a picture of a cool pencil on your business card.
Don't use images that aren't associated with your brand or business. For instance, if your job has nothing to do with cats, it's probably not a good idea to put cats on your business card.
What if you want to put actual cat ears on your business card? Here's 1 of the best business card tips you'll ever hear:
Choose a Shape
Sure, you can choose a standard rectangle as the shape of your business card. However, you also have the opportunity to go wild.
Ask your printer about die-cutting. Die-cutting is a printing technique that lets you cut your business cards into any shape. That includes animals, symbols, shapes, and more.
People are less likely to throw out your business card if it's in an interesting shape. Your card also won't get lost among other business cards.
You don't even have to make it an entirely different shape. For instance, you can have the trim of your card cut into a special design. You can even round the corners for sleeker design.
Use Brand Colors
If you or your business have brand colors, incorporate them into your business card. Doing this will increase brand recognition among everyone who receives your card.
A designer business card is supposed to represent a person or business. Using brand colors lets people know what brand you are associated with.
If you don't have brand colors, use colors that stand out. For instance, black and white very professional colors. However, some people think these colors are boring.
If you want to seem friendly and approachable, use light colors instead.
Choose a Size
There is no uniform size for business cards.
Business card sizes sometimes vary depending on your location. For instance, in North America, the average business card size is 3.5 x 2 inches. In Europe, business cards are 3.346 x 2.165 inches.
See what sizes are available to you. You don't want your card to be too bulky or too small. Your card must easily fit into a wallet.
Typography
You'll have to choose the typography used in your business card. Typography is the style and appearance of printed material.
The font you choose should reflect your personality. It should also be stylish and original.
At most, you can use 2 different fonts on your card. Anything more than that will confuse the person reading your card.
Make sure your font is easy to read. Your letters should also be big enough to read, but not so big that they take up the whole card.
Warning: Don't choose Comic Sans as your font. It makes you look unprofessional.
Create The Business Card of Your Dreams
Nearly 72% of people judge your business by your business cards' quality. Make your personal business cards stand out from the rest.
Invest in the quality of your business cards. Around 39% of business people won't do business with someone if they have a "cheap-looking" business card.
Make a positive business decision and order business cards now. It's one of the best things you can do for your professional life.