I know – the eyeballs are moving to the digital realm. But having your own business card for your site still reaps massive benefits.
Expanding your online presence to the offline world is a kick-ass way to spread your influence.
Here’s my story:
During the last months, I have talked to many people about my business in the real word. When they asked for my email address and my website name, I had to write it down on a crappy piece of paper. It wasn’t a stylish way to spread your brand message, and it embarrassed the heck out of me. One day I finally said to myself:” THIS has to change !”
Within I week, I got my own card. And I think you should, too.
Why it rocks to have a business card for your online presence:
- it’s the best and easiest way to share your address and site name in the real world. This is especially true if you have an email address or site name that’s difficult to spell.
- It makes you look at least 100xtimes more professional. And I mean professional in the good way – not the corporate-collar-working-style-robotic-drone way. Having your own business card shows how much you care about your online presence, and that demands respect. You are not some schmuck having a site, you are are a digital entrepreneur. Just look at the people you hand your card over – they will treat you with other eyes.
- It’s just awesome. Honestly, how many more reasons do you need ? Handing out your slick card speaks volumes. It makes you feel like a kick-ass online entrepreneur who’s in the business to whirl some waves. It’s such a small investment compared to the impact you are going to have on people !
I have seen many business cards in my life so far, and I have to admit, most of them ( we are talking 99 % ) are forgettable rubbish that’s not worth the paper they are printed on. If you are aiming for a decent, lame-ass card that bores the hell out of everyone, please skip this post. It will do no good for you.
If not, keep reading. You are about to create something awesome.
How to create a kick-ass business card
First a bit info about my own:
- I have ordered 250 pieces for 70 dollars
- I used a European online service called FlyerAlarm, Farnoosh from Prolificliving suggested Moo.com for internationals (esp. North Americans )
- It’s a 4 color print
- I made the card in Photoshop and then uploaded the image file to the company
- Material: Chromosulfate Cardboard, matt
- Weight: 450 gramms ( about 1 lb)
Enough with the chat-chat, let’s do some action. If you want to wooo people with your card, you have to consider some simple facts:
- KISS, baby. You know the acronym – Keep It Simple Stupid. A business card is small, so you don’t want to overkill your recipient’s mind with a trillion color image. Aim for a simple style with few colors, only concentrating on the essentials !
- Talking about colors. Use your brand colors ! If you check out my card, you only have 2 (!) colors – my brand black and yellow. The front side is my trademark logo – yellow font on black background, while the back side is the direct opposite – black font on a yellow background. Choose ONLY your brand colors for your card, and make sure to not use more than 2-3 colors. Remember, simplicity rules !
- How many should you make ? That depends on you, I went for 250 pieces. It gets cheaper the more you order, but if you want to try it out first, aim for a few hundred. Increase as you please.
- Worry about your weight. I have read somewhere that you should have at least 300 gramms but I made mine 450 gramms (about 1lb ). Fact is – the more your card weighs, the better. A business card has to endure a lot in one’s wallet – the more it weighs, the more “damage” it can take. Plus, it looks dirt cheap when your card is thin as paper – I have touched many of those, and the impression was disastrous. It’s even worse than having NO business card at all.
The Front
Simple rule – make your front side as catchy and ass-kicking as possible !
Normal business cards have their basic logo, and offer some information , but guess what, when you read this article, you are NOT going to make a standard card.
Here’s what I chose to do:
I chose to use my logo “The World Needs You” for 2 simple reasons:
1) it’s my brand logo (D’uh)
2) It has an inspirational message the goes beyond the function of the card. Even if people don’t act on the information, people can still use the card as a “lucky charm” that makes them feel good. “The world needs you” – isn’t that a grrreat reminder that you LUV to carry in your wallet ? I think so. And that’s why I ONLY put the logo on the front side, without displaying my url.
Can you think of a similar feature with your card ? Something unique that makes it stand out ? How about a:
- catchy tagline
- cool picture / symbol that demands attention
- some cool feature that makes your recipient look CLOSER at your card !
Whatever you choose, make sure you come up with something that’s eye-catching. A simple brand logo and your address isn’t cool…at all. Average business cards don’t get looked at; they quietly vanish into the oblivion of your recipient’s wallet…never to surface again.
Have something captivating on your front side. It’s the best way to make them act on the information you provide on the back…
The Back
I simply have 3 lines on my back side: My domain on top, my Twitter ID sandwiched in the middle, and my email address at the sweet end. Since my audience is international, I didn’t bother to show my number. I prefer people to contact me via digital means. But that’s my opinion, put on the information you think is necessary.
- Use as few information as possible. The less information you provide, the more likely people will act on it. It’s called the paradox of choice. Fewer choices ALWAYS mean MORE results.
- Make it dirt simple. Remember, the back side of your card is not supposed to blow anyone away, it simply provides your info. Don’t include any lavish symbols or colors unless you really have to. Make the font speak for itself.
- Keep your font clear. Your information must be read-able, and that means no extravaganza with the font style. A simple, elegant style that fits your brand does the job. Sans-serif beats serif on this one.
- Put your font dark on a light background. It doesn’t have to be the classic black on white, but a darkish color is on a light-ish background is ALWAYS better than the opposite.
Conclusion
When I handed out my business cards, and I felt like a “real” entrepreneur. If you really want to bring your online game to a new level, GO create your own. The impact you will have on people will be priceless.
And if you have any questions about making your own, just shoot me a message.
What’s your take on this ? Do you already have a kick-ass card (tell me about it) or will you now create your own ? Let’s share your ideas.
And please retweet and share this message with your friends !
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