freelanceswitch.com: You might not always know when an opportunity for networking or the chance to expand your client base will present itself. Incorporating personalized business cards into your professional and personal marketing efforts is a positive way to ensure opportunities will not be missed. But before you can promote, you need a well-designed business card.There are many options when considering what information should be included on your business card. The choices you select should clearly represent your brand or business, but there are many different techniques available.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
6 Tips for Designing a Promotion Worthy Business Card
freelanceswitch.com: You might not always know when an opportunity for networking or the chance to expand your client base will present itself. Incorporating personalized business cards into your professional and personal marketing efforts is a positive way to ensure opportunities will not be missed. But before you can promote, you need a well-designed business card.There are many options when considering what information should be included on your business card. The choices you select should clearly represent your brand or business, but there are many different techniques available.
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This got me thinking, because often the things we do in theatre are hard to quantify into business card terms. There are debates about how media and sound designers should market themselves, since the crafts include artistry, engineering, programming etc and one might not want to be employed doing them all. The advice to keep it simple is good though, since I've seen so many business cards that just get overcomplicated and hard to read. It's a small medium and not overcrowding it will work to your advantage. A helpful article and something i'll definitely consider in two years when i'm beginning to market myself.
This article had some really good tips. I have used a business card in the past but it was very simple and without flair. I loved the QR idea and think it would be a definite asset to anyone wanting to elaborate on what they have to offer. I agree that a business card that is too busy can be overwhelming to the reader. It looks messy which could be a perceived reflection of the card holder. I may experiment with this now as I am looking for my summer work. It's never too early to promote yourself.
Although I'm not really beginning to promote myself at this time, this article definitely put some thoughts in motion as far as designing the look you put out for yourself. It's relevant, now, for resumes, which require the same attention to detail and aesthetics as do business cards if you are looking for design work. I agree that the QR is wise but it presents a challenge if you are designing such a tiny card because it brings its own look that takes up a good amount of space can't really be modified. Lasercutting also offers a lot of freedom and interesting options. Also, sometimes I think that certain artistic cards go over the line of trading necessary information for design, so it is important to be reminded that they need to be easily read for essential information.
Clearly the most important thing on the business card is your name, followed by your contact info, and that nod to simplicity is a good thing to put first in the article. I have a number of business cards that I have accumulated over the years that just have too much. If there are multiple locations, do you need to print all three addresses on one card? And the double-side is a nice note. It is annoying though when the information is seperated, whereas if one side is information and one side is designed, I have always felt it gives personality without being too much, so it is nice to see that confirmed.
I do, however, hesitate to jump on the QR code bandwagon. Not that many people use them and, unless you want them as part of your design, they are fairly large by comparison to a card. What information or aestetics are you losing when you made space for the code? I can certainly say that until the codes are standardized, I will not be putting one on my card, and I will not be hiring anyone who is missing a phone number or email or some clever design in order to place a QR code
I agree with Becca, that it can be really difficult to really fit your skills into a business card. If I am given a business card that says "Veterinarian", I will be pretty accurate in my assumptions of what they do. And it's too messy to write that you're a pro in Autocad, skilled in scenic painting, certified as an electrical doodad person, and that you're a TD. But just stating Technical Director doesn't really give you enough credit.
I think a great thing to have is a website, that lists your qualifications in more detail. Generally, you won't be walking around with a resume when you give someone your business card, and even if so, handing over your resume as well isn't always appropriate. But if you impress them in person enough, they'll look up your website and get a more accurate feel for your abilities, like I could do for the Veterinarian.
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