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lifehacker.com: With most business being done digitally, you might think that business cards don't matter anymore. But they can offer a lot. Here's why they're still important for business and how you can get the most out of yours.
Oh the business card…personally I’ve had a rather adversarial interaction with my business card lately. Trying to decide what information to include has been nothing short of a struggle; not to mention how to organize it, what color palette I should use, should I use a logo or not, who am I, what am I? Marketing yourself isn’t as easy as some people think…you have to approach it just like a company approaches the development of a particular product and its marketing, because you are your product. And that’s not an arbitrary process usually, not if want your ‘brand’ or ‘image’ or business card for that matter, to be worth anything when you put it in someone’s hand. Most of the points or suggestions in this article address questions I had or problems I grappled with while making my card, and most of them I agree with. There are a few suggestions I don’t agree with though, such as; using a white base, and including your picture. For mine, I used a grey base, and I placed my logo on the back. Something just memorable enough that I might help someone recall who I am later, but hopefully not so obnoxious that it gets my card tossed out.
There is an interesting contrast between this article and the business cards I saw in an article from a previous week about the 25 most memorable business cards, or something of the like. While the memorable cards made a point of being unique, they broke pretty much every rule this article lays out, which I agree with. While making yourself stand out and be memorable is definitely important, there is a very fine line between being unique and memorable vs having a card that is so out of the box that it stops being functional as a business card. It may be amusing that your card is a rolled up little yoga mat, but as a person receiving that card, I might actually be more annoyed than impressed with the design. If it doesn't fit in my wallet, I don't want it. I think the rules in this article are the way to go, practicality/functionality over cleverness.
A business card is an essential tool for any artist, or anyone who has to market themselves through networking. A card is simple and professional. I agree with the article when it declares business cards to be a symbol of preparedness. I don't have my own business cards yet, but I definitely want to invest in some.
I do worry that any cards I hand out would be thrown out or lost somewhere, but it's not so much about the cards as it is the gesture of giving them.
Although we're in a digital age, there is nothing like being able to physically hold someone's information in your hand. Business cards are classic and memorable.
This summer at work we talked a lot about business cards, and my bosses pulled out a pile of them that they had saved to show us what makes a good business card and what makes a crappy one. After that, they asked myself and the two other interns to show them our business cards. I, unfortunately, didn't have one, and they told me that I can't come back until I get one. I worked in props, and they were very adamant about props people having physical business cards. My boss would always say that when you give a business card to someone, you're giving them the first paper prop that they're gonna see. I still don't have one, but reading the article gave me a lot of good information for when I finally get around to it. The cool business card ideas are great, but I preferred this article because it had actual advice, as opposed to ideas that other people have used. I really liked that sections on actually giving the cards to people, and the importance of not using technology, because I feel that most of the business card design articles that I'e read neglected that part. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do for my card yet, but I do know that it's going to be purple. Or maybe I'll do something like this: http://cmuptm.blogspot.com/2013/12/business-cards-made-of-beef-jerky.html
Yes, business cards are definitely still important. In a world where technology is taking over, some may think that business cards are becoming obsolete. Others in the arts industry may have this attitude even moreso than those in corporate america. However, I would argue that having a business card is even more important (or at least equally as important) for artists than they are for people working in almost any other industry. In the arts, it is paramount that people will remember your name. Especially in theatre, if a producer is in need of a last minute lighting designer, wardrobe supervisor, stage manager, production manager, etc. they will likely turn to the people who they know, or at least have heard of before. This is where tools like business cards come in. It is not only important to create a business card, but it is also important to make your business card look good.
The one thing this article suggested that I am conflicted about is the importance on leaving space for people to take notes on your card. For years, I have seen my dad give out his business card to people, and I have never once observed them writing on the back of his card. While a nice idea, I'm just not sure how much this actually happens in real life.
Like Philip, I read this article comparing it to the one from last week about making your business card stand out. A lot of what this article says makes sense in a way last weeks didn't. This week the article goes over the basics and make some good points about business cards. Not least of which is that they are still around and very useful. For me, since my phone doesn't always cooperate, business cards are useful since I have the physical card until I can get around to putting the info into my phone/Google Contacts. Overall, this article is a very good one to follow when making a business to help keep it useful while trying to make it a little memorable than the others.
I think at the heart of this article if the same thing that could be said about really any paper form of communication that still is widely used. There is something that humans like about a tactile connection with the information. Its probably the same reason that writing notes is more effective in memory than typing them. If you meet someone, giving them a little piece of card stock that represents you is going to be way more memorable than a digital form of any sorts. Besides just this feeling that it gives you, business cards can be so customizable, that it really enables you to express yourself in a permanent way to the other person.
I don't know how much I agree with the QR code section. I find QR codes to be a quickly dying medium of conveying information. Not only is it losing popularity, but it is also very unsightly. I think a business card should convey your professional nature and how you work, especially if you're a designer. A business card should be an insight on who you are. For instance, cards that is just generic and run of the mill will say that you are just the same. You only work to have work and don't take pride in your work, you settle for what is required. A card that is beautiful and surprising makes people think that you believe in something more and your work is what you enjoy to do.
When I worked as a summer orientation leader in undergrad, we had tons of current college students who were interfacing with incoming students, and many of them were able to establish extremely positive and mentor types. Most of us shared our emails or phone numbers if we took a shining to anyone special, or even the parents (Bay area culture FYI). So during the planning phase of one years orientation, we decided to spend a couple of hundred dollars on making business cards for all of the orientation staff. And it was a huge hit! It made everyone look extremely professional, there wasn't any of the technology phone nonsense. The important thing that business cards allowed was for the exchange of information to not be awkward. You could give people your contact information fairly casually, and let people have the choice to do with it what they will. Having someone take your contact info via technology is a ritual, it's work, and it's kind of a turn off.
In a world where everything happens so fast and information gets transferred so quickly, of course out memories are going to suck. We're not super computers, we still need physical reminders for information. Business cards are a quick, professional, and effective way to do that. I also agree with Jess that business cards are just as important in the arts world as it is in corporate America. A business card allows artists yet another platform to express themselves and their style of art. It also gives the managers an opportunity to get creative too. The other thing I like that this article points out is that a business card doesn't require internet in order for you to get the information, so it's always accessible, which allows potential clients to still get a hold of you, even if they're in a place with no wifi. And again, I, like Jess, was also puzzled by writing on the back of a business card. Awesome idea, but I'm not sure that's really something that everyone is inclined to do.
I’ve thought about when would be the right time for me to get some business cards. My dad has used them for his business for many years past, and that’s how me keeps up with his business associates. I figure in this every growing world we call theatre, having those contacts at hand is a little bit more resourceful way of doing it than on one’s phone. The article has some valid points as to how to handle trading contact information with others. I do believe it is easier to do it with a business card than inputting the information on a phone, it does make it impersonal. You aren’t fully engaged in the conversation or just trying to get to know your future associate better. When you have a limited time to pass the information along, I know I wouldn’t want to be looking at my phone half the time, it detracts from what is really at stake.
While this article was able to strongly emphasize why business cards are important, it failed to discuss effective ways to use them. The business cards they talked about lacked any sense of creativity and set a standard for a boring white box. While I did like they fact they they stressed that the business card is an amazing networking tool and a paper handshake, is it thought of a too unprofessional to have a creative shape because by their metaphor it represents a out of the box handshake? I understand the point they made about wanting to make sure they fit in their wallet to avoid risk of being tossed in the garbage, but if you really want your product of service to stick with the other person you should need to have to write down notes on their card. It would be easily as looking at it and remembering back to the conversation. By nature everyone has a bit of a visual learner in them. What I did like was that the author of the article suggested putting your face on the card. While for so often I can forget a name of someone I never forget their face so by having your face on their card with the contact info, it feels like a no-brainer that their card would be one of the first ones I consider to hire or buy.
Business card is definitely something you should spend time designing one (unless you are working in a company where they have company's template for you). Like the comment I posted on the previous articles about all the fancy business cards, it's a thing that you need to be careful about. Business card is the easiest way you present yourself to people. It immediately creates impression of people towards you, and like it stated in the articles, how professionals you are. Like I said before, there's a fine line between having a stand out looking business card and having an unprofessional business card, depends on your career and field of expertise. I don't think it's necessary to have QR code. I would love something clean and easy to read.
Like Philip, I am really glad to see an article that favors the practicality of business cards over the extravagance of the impression you make with them. I think as a whole, business cards are very important for a number of reasons. Of course they are essential for distributing contact information, but they also establish a certain amount of ethos for the person handing them out. I am almost always going to take someone with a business card more seriously than someone who writes out their number for me.
I think the main problem about a business card is simpler than a lot of the points in this article. You need one when you need one. The main reason to have a good business card is to avoid the awkward moment when a potential contact asks you for one and you don't have it. The failure to produce when asked for something makes one seem unprepared and unprofessional, even when the request is something so trivial as a business card. Maybe especially so. Never have to say no to anyone when you want something from them. And if someone can't even get it together enough to have a simple business card, how could they be expected to be a great employee?
Business cards are extremely important and are one of the most professional and efficient ways to get your contact information out to other sources. And my first-hand experience regarding Business cards and the look that they have on you after you had about I can attest to the way businesses and other jobs look at you when you hand them a business card rather than just writing your phone number or email on a napkin or small piece of paper.The way you design your business card if a template is not laid out for you says a lot about who you are as a person and about how professional you are.
There have been a lot of articles about Business cards lately which has led me to thinking about them a ton. I don't know what exactly i want in a business card yet, and each of these articles has given me slightly different information. Like most things, there is always a lot more that is based on opinion than fact and it is extremely subjective. I think that all I want in my business card is a representation of myself, I don't know what that will be yet but maybe I will find out soon.
As someone who does not yet have a business card this article is really making me feel inadequate. I've always been wary about making a business card because I don't know if its saying too much for a student to hand out a business card when they are not an expert in their field. It's obvious now that there are almost no downsides to getting your name out there on a business card. Having said that, poorly designed business cards make me cringe and I am really picky with fonts. So, when I do make my business card it will be very well designed as well as a way to quickly to get my name out there.
I'm glad to see the tip about putting a picture on your business card. It's been something I've thought about as I have the yearly November "what am I doing with my life and how do I convince people to hire me to do it" sit down. While I can see where having a picture could seem vain etc, if I'm at a conference with 500 other female college student managers, it seems pretty unrealistic that someone would remember me just based on my name. I also like the article's points about making it easy to transfer information, and separate it from personal advertising. I thought last week's article about gimmicky ways to make yourself look special was a little trite, and while those were innovative, they would be difficult to put into a binder of business card holders that so many people carry around conferences. These tips feel more comfortable to me, but that could just be because I'm boring and don't understand branding.
Business cards are very important! They continue to be a great easy way to share your information with potential employers and other folk. It is also very cool to see how people choose to express themeless on a very small card. The design is very important because it make a statement about your personality. You don't want it to feel crowded or overwhelming because then it becomes hard to read. This then is not fulfilling the real purpose of the business card. My advice is to be smart and simple. Don't scream the information, but present it politely.
I agree with Phillip. the business cards from last week were extremely quirky and memorable, however they weren't practical for the user. One that I thought was a great medium was the bike shop card. They were able to make something wallet sized and shape, that was suited to its main purpose, but also useful in another way. If you wan fun business cards then I think this is the best way to go. I also wonder what that would mean, for some technical theater professional. Vincent Lighting gave out lighting stencils, but as those are for the most part no longer in use, it was easy to forget it on my kitchen table.
22 comments:
Oh the business card…personally I’ve had a rather adversarial interaction with my business card lately. Trying to decide what information to include has been nothing short of a struggle; not to mention how to organize it, what color palette I should use, should I use a logo or not, who am I, what am I? Marketing yourself isn’t as easy as some people think…you have to approach it just like a company approaches the development of a particular product and its marketing, because you are your product. And that’s not an arbitrary process usually, not if want your ‘brand’ or ‘image’ or business card for that matter, to be worth anything when you put it in someone’s hand. Most of the points or suggestions in this article address questions I had or problems I grappled with while making my card, and most of them I agree with. There are a few suggestions I don’t agree with though, such as; using a white base, and including your picture. For mine, I used a grey base, and I placed my logo on the back. Something just memorable enough that I might help someone recall who I am later, but hopefully not so obnoxious that it gets my card tossed out.
There is an interesting contrast between this article and the business cards I saw in an article from a previous week about the 25 most memorable business cards, or something of the like. While the memorable cards made a point of being unique, they broke pretty much every rule this article lays out, which I agree with. While making yourself stand out and be memorable is definitely important, there is a very fine line between being unique and memorable vs having a card that is so out of the box that it stops being functional as a business card. It may be amusing that your card is a rolled up little yoga mat, but as a person receiving that card, I might actually be more annoyed than impressed with the design. If it doesn't fit in my wallet, I don't want it. I think the rules in this article are the way to go, practicality/functionality over cleverness.
A business card is an essential tool for any artist, or anyone who has to market themselves through networking. A card is simple and professional. I agree with the article when it declares business cards to be a symbol of preparedness. I don't have my own business cards yet, but I definitely want to invest in some.
I do worry that any cards I hand out would be thrown out or lost somewhere, but it's not so much about the cards as it is the gesture of giving them.
Although we're in a digital age, there is nothing like being able to physically hold someone's information in your hand. Business cards are classic and memorable.
This summer at work we talked a lot about business cards, and my bosses pulled out a pile of them that they had saved to show us what makes a good business card and what makes a crappy one. After that, they asked myself and the two other interns to show them our business cards. I, unfortunately, didn't have one, and they told me that I can't come back until I get one. I worked in props, and they were very adamant about props people having physical business cards. My boss would always say that when you give a business card to someone, you're giving them the first paper prop that they're gonna see. I still don't have one, but reading the article gave me a lot of good information for when I finally get around to it. The cool business card ideas are great, but I preferred this article because it had actual advice, as opposed to ideas that other people have used. I really liked that sections on actually giving the cards to people, and the importance of not using technology, because I feel that most of the business card design articles that I'e read neglected that part. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do for my card yet, but I do know that it's going to be purple. Or maybe I'll do something like this: http://cmuptm.blogspot.com/2013/12/business-cards-made-of-beef-jerky.html
Yes, business cards are definitely still important. In a world where technology is taking over, some may think that business cards are becoming obsolete. Others in the arts industry may have this attitude even moreso than those in corporate america. However, I would argue that having a business card is even more important (or at least equally as important) for artists than they are for people working in almost any other industry. In the arts, it is paramount that people will remember your name. Especially in theatre, if a producer is in need of a last minute lighting designer, wardrobe supervisor, stage manager, production manager, etc. they will likely turn to the people who they know, or at least have heard of before. This is where tools like business cards come in. It is not only important to create a business card, but it is also important to make your business card look good.
The one thing this article suggested that I am conflicted about is the importance on leaving space for people to take notes on your card. For years, I have seen my dad give out his business card to people, and I have never once observed them writing on the back of his card. While a nice idea, I'm just not sure how much this actually happens in real life.
Like Philip, I read this article comparing it to the one from last week about making your business card stand out. A lot of what this article says makes sense in a way last weeks didn't. This week the article goes over the basics and make some good points about business cards. Not least of which is that they are still around and very useful. For me, since my phone doesn't always cooperate, business cards are useful since I have the physical card until I can get around to putting the info into my phone/Google Contacts. Overall, this article is a very good one to follow when making a business to help keep it useful while trying to make it a little memorable than the others.
I think at the heart of this article if the same thing that could be said about really any paper form of communication that still is widely used. There is something that humans like about a tactile connection with the information. Its probably the same reason that writing notes is more effective in memory than typing them. If you meet someone, giving them a little piece of card stock that represents you is going to be way more memorable than a digital form of any sorts. Besides just this feeling that it gives you, business cards can be so customizable, that it really enables you to express yourself in a permanent way to the other person.
I don't know how much I agree with the QR code section. I find QR codes to be a quickly dying medium of conveying information. Not only is it losing popularity, but it is also very unsightly. I think a business card should convey your professional nature and how you work, especially if you're a designer. A business card should be an insight on who you are. For instance, cards that is just generic and run of the mill will say that you are just the same. You only work to have work and don't take pride in your work, you settle for what is required. A card that is beautiful and surprising makes people think that you believe in something more and your work is what you enjoy to do.
When I worked as a summer orientation leader in undergrad, we had tons of current college students who were interfacing with incoming students, and many of them were able to establish extremely positive and mentor types. Most of us shared our emails or phone numbers if we took a shining to anyone special, or even the parents (Bay area culture FYI). So during the planning phase of one years orientation, we decided to spend a couple of hundred dollars on making business cards for all of the orientation staff. And it was a huge hit! It made everyone look extremely professional, there wasn't any of the technology phone nonsense. The important thing that business cards allowed was for the exchange of information to not be awkward. You could give people your contact information fairly casually, and let people have the choice to do with it what they will. Having someone take your contact info via technology is a ritual, it's work, and it's kind of a turn off.
In a world where everything happens so fast and information gets transferred so quickly, of course out memories are going to suck. We're not super computers, we still need physical reminders for information. Business cards are a quick, professional, and effective way to do that. I also agree with Jess that business cards are just as important in the arts world as it is in corporate America. A business card allows artists yet another platform to express themselves and their style of art. It also gives the managers an opportunity to get creative too. The other thing I like that this article points out is that a business card doesn't require internet in order for you to get the information, so it's always accessible, which allows potential clients to still get a hold of you, even if they're in a place with no wifi. And again, I, like Jess, was also puzzled by writing on the back of a business card. Awesome idea, but I'm not sure that's really something that everyone is inclined to do.
I’ve thought about when would be the right time for me to get some business cards. My dad has used them for his business for many years past, and that’s how me keeps up with his business associates. I figure in this every growing world we call theatre, having those contacts at hand is a little bit more resourceful way of doing it than on one’s phone. The article has some valid points as to how to handle trading contact information with others. I do believe it is easier to do it with a business card than inputting the information on a phone, it does make it impersonal. You aren’t fully engaged in the conversation or just trying to get to know your future associate better. When you have a limited time to pass the information along, I know I wouldn’t want to be looking at my phone half the time, it detracts from what is really at stake.
While this article was able to strongly emphasize why business cards are important, it failed to discuss effective ways to use them. The business cards they talked about lacked any sense of creativity and set a standard for a boring white box. While I did like they fact they they stressed that the business card is an amazing networking tool and a paper handshake, is it thought of a too unprofessional to have a creative shape because by their metaphor it represents a out of the box handshake? I understand the point they made about wanting to make sure they fit in their wallet to avoid risk of being tossed in the garbage, but if you really want your product of service to stick with the other person you should need to have to write down notes on their card. It would be easily as looking at it and remembering back to the conversation. By nature everyone has a bit of a visual learner in them. What I did like was that the author of the article suggested putting your face on the card. While for so often I can forget a name of someone I never forget their face so by having your face on their card with the contact info, it feels like a no-brainer that their card would be one of the first ones I consider to hire or buy.
Business card is definitely something you should spend time designing one (unless you are working in a company where they have company's template for you). Like the comment I posted on the previous articles about all the fancy business cards, it's a thing that you need to be careful about. Business card is the easiest way you present yourself to people. It immediately creates impression of people towards you, and like it stated in the articles, how professionals you are. Like I said before, there's a fine line between having a stand out looking business card and having an unprofessional business card, depends on your career and field of expertise. I don't think it's necessary to have QR code. I would love something clean and easy to read.
Like Philip, I am really glad to see an article that favors the practicality of business cards over the extravagance of the impression you make with them. I think as a whole, business cards are very important for a number of reasons. Of course they are essential for distributing contact information, but they also establish a certain amount of ethos for the person handing them out. I am almost always going to take someone with a business card more seriously than someone who writes out their number for me.
I think the main problem about a business card is simpler than a lot of the points in this article. You need one when you need one. The main reason to have a good business card is to avoid the awkward moment when a potential contact asks you for one and you don't have it. The failure to produce when asked for something makes one seem unprepared and unprofessional, even when the request is something so trivial as a business card. Maybe especially so. Never have to say no to anyone when you want something from them. And if someone can't even get it together enough to have a simple business card, how could they be expected to be a great employee?
Business cards are extremely important and are one of the most professional and efficient ways to get your contact information out to other sources. And my first-hand experience regarding Business cards and the look that they have on you after you had about I can attest to the way businesses and other jobs look at you when you hand them a business card rather than just writing your phone number or email on a napkin or small piece of paper.The way you design your business card if a template is not laid out for you says a lot about who you are as a person and about how professional you are.
There have been a lot of articles about Business cards lately which has led me to thinking about them a ton. I don't know what exactly i want in a business card yet, and each of these articles has given me slightly different information. Like most things, there is always a lot more that is based on opinion than fact and it is extremely subjective. I think that all I want in my business card is a representation of myself, I don't know what that will be yet but maybe I will find out soon.
As someone who does not yet have a business card this article is really making me feel inadequate. I've always been wary about making a business card because I don't know if its saying too much for a student to hand out a business card when they are not an expert in their field. It's obvious now that there are almost no downsides to getting your name out there on a business card. Having said that, poorly designed business cards make me cringe and I am really picky with fonts. So, when I do make my business card it will be very well designed as well as a way to quickly to get my name out there.
I'm glad to see the tip about putting a picture on your business card. It's been something I've thought about as I have the yearly November "what am I doing with my life and how do I convince people to hire me to do it" sit down. While I can see where having a picture could seem vain etc, if I'm at a conference with 500 other female college student managers, it seems pretty unrealistic that someone would remember me just based on my name. I also like the article's points about making it easy to transfer information, and separate it from personal advertising. I thought last week's article about gimmicky ways to make yourself look special was a little trite, and while those were innovative, they would be difficult to put into a binder of business card holders that so many people carry around conferences. These tips feel more comfortable to me, but that could just be because I'm boring and don't understand branding.
Business cards are very important! They continue to be a great easy way to share your information with potential employers and other folk. It is also very cool to see how people choose to express themeless on a very small card. The design is very important because it make a statement about your personality. You don't want it to feel crowded or overwhelming because then it becomes hard to read. This then is not fulfilling the real purpose of the business card. My advice is to be smart and simple. Don't scream the information, but present it politely.
I agree with Phillip. the business cards from last week were extremely quirky and memorable, however they weren't practical for the user. One that I thought was a great medium was the bike shop card. They were able to make something wallet sized and shape, that was suited to its main purpose, but also useful in another way. If you wan fun business cards then I think this is the best way to go. I also wonder what that would mean, for some technical theater professional. Vincent Lighting gave out lighting stencils, but as those are for the most part no longer in use, it was easy to forget it on my kitchen table.
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