When we  return home we will surely have piles of business cards from all sorts of people from different companies and positions. Some we will want to keep in contact with, and some we will want to remember the conversations we had. And while we are perusing the assortment of cards we will, no doubt, be impressed by some of them and disappointed by others.

I offer my suggestions…

1. Personal Name & Position/Title

These days, custom business cards are so affordable that the incremental cost (of adding the names of company representatives on their own cards) is negligible. Also, the more descriptive you can be in defining that person’s role in the company, the better you can reassure the customer that the representative can handle their needs. In small companies, use titles that will impress clients (i.e. CEO, Managing Partner, President). It goes a long way.

2. Company Name

It’s important to determine how you want to project the company name. Are you branding it for effect? Recall? Humor? Credibility? Comfort? The fonts and sizes you use tell much of that story. Be sure that the name of your organization is presented in a way that is consistent with your strategic goals, including how your customer may perceive you. Perhaps, your company is associated more with a logo or a photo of an individual – in which case, you may want to focus less on the actual text of the company name.

3. Company (or Representative’s) Address

If you contact most of your business through phone or online transactions, then a physical mailing address might not be necessary (especially if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar headquarters). Just be sure that you compensate in some other way to keep a personal appearance on your business card. If you can offer both a physical address and a separate mailing address, be sure to distinguish the two for the appropriate channeling of information.

4. Main Phone, Direct Phone, Cell & Fax Numbers

Do not underestimate the power of affirming your availability via a direct phone line. Customers want that type of access, even if they rarely take advantage of it. Cell phone numbers are great for business inquiries that cannot wait or where you’re constantly out of pocket. Faxes have become outdated as a form of routine business correspondence, but the still serve a valuable purposes for sending hard copies (i.e. with signatures, certifications) that cannot replicate something online. And remember, some customers will prefer the use of a fax. Be sure that all area code and/or country codes are specified, as well as any extensions (if applicable).

5. Email Address

It’s true that e-mail has become the most preferred medium of frequent business messaging. Be sure that you print an e-mail address that you’re likely to check reasonably often. It’s an essential for any Internet company, as well as for most others. Just be prepared for a huge influx of spam as more customers have access to it – it’s inevitable.

6. Website URL

Websites should always be listed if your business benefits from an informed customer. If you list your website, you should expect customers to take advantage of the information you share on it. It should be sufficient to start your URL with “www” (e.g. www.company.com). In our opinion, the best place to get information on building a website is Go Daddy.

7. Logo

Placing a logo on your business card is essential if, and only if, it is directly intended to brand your company (whatever the reason may be). Logos can serve to describe your products/services, convey a particular image, or enlist specific emotions/reactions. Just remember that it’s likely to be one with which you will be associated for many years to come, so choose your logo design wisely.

8. Graphic/Decorative Image(s)

If you are not in need of a logo, consider a decorative design (if applicable) that sends a message consistent with what customers can experience with your company.

9.Use a high quality paper

Flimsy cards just suck. Spend the extra ten dollars and get good paper.

10.Use the standard size

When you use a card that is larger or smaller (especially) than normal, people cannot stack or organize it with the others. Smaller cards get lost and become a pain in the ass. Be different by using good imagery or design, not by having an odd shape or size.

11.Use Color

A bit of color makes the card much more pleasant. Tie-die or rainbows aren’t necessary, but some color can really give your card some punch, or at the very least it won’t be as boring as monochrome.

12.Have a blank back

When people receive your card they’ll want to write notes on the back about you or your company or your conversation. Or maybe you can write the address to a great local bar so if that person ever makes it to your city they’ll know where to go.

13.Business Card Design- Tear Off

No fold-overs or tear-offs- Cards that fold over get caught on things and take up extra space in my pants pocket. And if you do some clever thing like a pop-up or tear off tab, once that cute feature has been done, the card now has a flap hanging off of it and it doesn’t fit anywhere. Remember the first rule in marketing, which is my next thought…

14.Keep it simple

We don’t need to name call here, but keep your message simple and clear. Have a clean design that is easy to understand and makes a statement.

15.Readable Fonts

Lettering should be easy to read and, with the possible exception of the heading or logo, consistent throughout the card.

16.Have an actual designer create your card

Don’t jump on to Publisher and draw up a design. You want it to be polished and look good.

17.No stupid titles

We’ve all seen the start-ups where every employee has some “cool”  title like “VP of Fun” or “Director of Computer Stuff”. Having something clever to say is good, lame titles are just lame. And besides, I’m not going to remember every person so if you are the head of technology but your card says “Emperor of Digital Awareness” I won’t know your function and will most likely toss the card.

Photo Credit: nobosh