Writing a Winning Business Card

March 11, 2009 :: Steve Fisher

As many of you know, I seem to have taken on this mission of trying to be the “Dr. Phil” of Business Cards. Some people need it told to them straight, some need to be saved from themselves and some people, well you just can’t save.

Recently, I wrote the post “Don’t Get Your Business Card Thrown Out” which was a follow up of “Business Card FAIL” on my old blog, Venture Files. Soon afterward I was contacted by Vicki Elmer, a writer for the Washington Post and we had a great discussion about business cards and if there were any tricks and tips I had for networkers. It just came out yesterday in the post and here is the full article:

A Winning Card by Vicki Elmer

No matter how much you’re on Twitter or Digg, or work LinkedIn, your business card still matters.

At a networking event, “it’s a physical exchange” that says “I’m giving a small slice of myself,” said Steven Fisher, community and blog manager for Network Solutions in Herndon.

Among his tips: “Be cool but be relevant to your audience.” They expect certain things from you — whether you’re a marketer or engineer — and your card should reflect those. He said too many cards are overloaded or “don’t have relevance or impact.” Use a sentence or bullet points to “clearly articulate your services, what you do.”

People with multiple roles — the consultant who’s also a musician and artist — should create separate cards for each, Fisher said. “It gives you focus. And it gives people comfort in what you do.”

Fisher uses two business card tricks at events. Because he intentionally doesn’t list his cell phone on his personal cards, he can write it down. Or he will make a note on the back of his card — a Web site he’s mentioned or the topic they discussed. “It makes the card worthwhile.”

So as you can see the article had a few more of my secret tips that might give you the winning business card and add to your successful networking technique. Adding the cell phone or putting a note on the card you give someone really personalizes it and makes them feel (which I am believe you are being sincere here) that you care and want to keep in touch with them in the future.

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Print blog

Great post.

I think this is one of the strongest points in the article: "clearly articulate your services, what you do.”

Too many times I find business cards that are very general, and don't have a strong value proposition as to why your product/service is special.

Thanks for the post.
Jim

Steven Fisher

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is the most important thing in a business card so people know what you do and it keeps your card relevant.

-Steve

Barkri

A business plan is not just very important as a tool for the security of the loans and also gaining interest of any financier, it is also a personal tool that one can exploit to shape one's business goals. When you make a business plan for the first time, a few things must be kept in mind. These have been mentioned in the following section.

Firstly you must include information about your business, the location and also the services or the products that your company offers to its customers. Use as formal and straightforward language as you want. But at the same time make sure that your plan sends across a note of enthusiasm and zeal.

Secondly make sure that the market research you do has in-depth information concerning the area or field you are planning to enter and put it across as a field you are sure you would excel in and would be a success, no matter who the competitors or in what number they are. Also, include a few notes about your competitors, their location, strengths, and weaknesses and most importantly where you have an upper edge.

Print Matt

Twitter, LinkedIn and your email address book are not a replacement to business cards. They are rather complimentary. Also when someone gives you their card it has a personal affect. You should always have business cards or calling cards with you, and make sure they bear your Twitter, LinkedIn, Skype and other online IDs.

lifequotes

Hey Matt, I completely agree with you that Twitter, Linkedln and email address book are not the replacements to business cards! thanks for the post Steve!

Steven Fisher

You are right that those things are additional communications channels because everyone has different preferences but it should never replace giving someone a card.

-Steve

Brooke Folk

Business Cards, just like Rubber Stamps, regardless of technology will never cease to exist. Thirty years ago I started my business, selling the newest marvel in "Self Inking" rubber stamps. I was convinced the lowly dirty rubber stamps would be obsolete within a decade.

Three decades later and they are still being sold and going strong. True, more clients prefer the self inking style, but many applications still require the more economical rubber stamps that require the use of the messy ink pads. Technology in rubber stamp making has changed, fancier handle mounts and mechanical gizmo's to take the drudgery and mess out of the original centuries old concept. The bottom line is, the lowly rubber stamp survives.

Business Cards have a long history and they too have been classified by some as being soon to be made obsolete by modern technology. Not only is the lowly business card thriving, it is rising to the occasion of becoming a very important economical marketing marvel for the marketing savvy.

I agree with Steve’s comment about writing on the back of your card before handing it to the recipient. It is almost like a scientific chemical reaction in that it is now personalized just for that person.

Challenges in getting your card kept instead of rubber banded and put in a desk drawer or thrown out has been an ongoing marketing challenge. Business card magnets have limited metal real estate other than the refrigerator and or office file cabinet. Chance are you’ve never heard about or seen BusinessCard NoteCards. Here is a unique product that turns your business cards into NoteCards. Your card is spiral bound to 40 blank note pages and a year-at-a-glance calendar on the back. Fully customized front and backs and inserts make this one of the most unique business card marketing tools I’ve ever promoted.

rgomez

If you are a Limited Liability Company are you required to put LLC or ltd on your card?

Steven Fisher

You are not required to but if you have it as part of your registered name, you really should put it on your card.

-Steve

Mehul

Steve,

Nice post!!

The link to your previous post "Don’t Get Your Business Card Thrown Out" is not working. :(

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