Business Card

Definition:

A small card identifying a person in connection with his or her business, given to a client, potential customer, etc.

A good business card should convey the overall image of your business, which isn’t always easy, considering the card measures just 2 inches by 3 inches. So how can you possibly get a message across in such a small amount of space?

Don’t expect your business card to be able to tell your company’s entire story. What you should expect it to do is present a professional image that people will remember. The color, wording, and texture of your business card have a lot to do with its appeal and its ability to convey your company’s image. Use common sense when you’re designing your card. If your business markets children’s toys and games, you might try using bright, primary colors and words written in a child’s script. On the other hand, if you run a financial consulting service, you want your business card to convey professionalism and reliability, so stick to traditional looks, such as black printing on a gray, beige, or white background.

Of course, professional designers claim entrepreneurs shouldn’t attempt to design a business card on their own, but many cash-strapped business owners have no other choice. Your best course of action? Look at all the business cards you’ve received over the years, and emulate the cards you like. You have more leeway if you’re in a creative business, such as party planning or retailing, but in general, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Use your logo as the basis. Make it the largest element on the card.
  • Keep it simple. Don’t cram too much information on the card.
  • Do include the essentials–your name, title, company name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses–and make sure your name and business name are immediately identifiable.
  • Make sure the typeface is easily readable.
  • Stick to one or two colors.
  • Make sure it’s easy to read.

Once you’ve got business cards, make the most of them:

  • Always give people more than one card (so they can give it to others).
  • Include your card in all your correspondence.
  • Carry cards with you at all times, in a card case, so they’re clean and neat.

Related Content

Product Development

The overall process of strategy, organization, concept generation, product and marketing plan creation and evaluation, and commercialization of a new product

Exit Interview

The formal conversation that takes place between an employee and an HR or other manager to determine the reason(s) the employee is leaving

Primary Market Research

Iinformation that comes directly from the source--that is, potential customers. You can compile this information yourself or hire someone else to gather it for you via surveys, focus groups and other methods.

Credit Policy

Guidelines that spell out how to decide which customers are sold on open account, the exact payment terms, the limits set on outstanding balances and how to deal with delinquent accounts

Mergers

The combination of one or more corporations, LLCs, or other business entities into a single business entity; the joining of two or more companies to achieve greater efficiencies of scale and productivity

Subchapter S Corporation

A special form of corporation that allows the protection of limited liability but direct flow-through of profits and losses