Design of a business card

• Size - The standard size for any kind of business card is 3 1/2" x 2". An oversized card only causes inconvenience by not fitting in business card holders and wallets.
• Print - The print should be legible and the font size neither too big nor too small. Steer clear of bargaining with the font size in order to cram in excess information about your company.
• Colour - The choice of colours too has an impact on the quality of the business card. A dash of colour does make a card attractive. In fact, you can use colours that complement your line of work; for example, blue as a symbol for water for those working in the shipping industry and red in a restaurant manager’s business card corresponds well with cookery.
• Content - A good business card will mention your name, your designation, company’s name and logo, contact details and a tag line on why people should conduct business with your company.
• Paper quality - An attractive design and well spaced out content are all good, but the first thing that clients notice when they accept your card is the feel of it, i.e. the paper thickness. Remember, the quality you invest in for promotion indirectly reflects the quality of services that your company provides - make sure it speaks volumes!

Using business cards for effective networking

Treat a business card as a miniature advertisement of yourself and your work. Long after that handshake and business meeting is over, it is the card that you leave with a client that will make him/her remember your services and call back.

Here are some tips on using your card to promote business relationships:

• Always keep them handy - in your purse, wallet, desk and car.
• Share it with people you meet for the first time at the time of introduction. However, refrain from being pushy - ask for the other person’s card and then offer yours in exchange.
• You can impart significance to the card you hand out and also make the recipient feel valued by taking a moment to jot down your personal cell phone number if not already printed on the card for the latter to reach you at any time.
• If your job offers services to general public, then you can create generic promotion by dropping your business card in bill payments at a restaurant, orders to be delivered, hotel receptions etc. Who knows who might discover it and find your services handy!

A business card is an important tool that outlines your job role and portrays your company’s image. If your work involves bringing in and dealing with clients, then it becomes all the more important that the business card you give out leaves the right impression and makes prospective clients want to work with you.