Just ran across a cool post about a business card for fitness trainers. You can read it here.
The post identified key areas of business cards:
Contact Information
Your website URL
A call to action (such as, Call for a FREE 15-minute consultation)
Armand Morin, a source of solid advice, says your card should always include your photo.
But what I liked best was the way the blog post said, “Hey, don’t put too much emphasis on business cards. You have to hand out a thousand or so to get one client. Work on other things first.”
Some top experts don’t even have business cards. Very few people base a hiring decision on a business card. If funds are tight, a high-flying business card will not be your most critical investment.
Okay, if you’re attending an event with a very targeted group, you could offer introductory calls and maybe get some nibbles. But you haven’t qualified these prospects and you’re spending a lot of time with people who will often turn out to be deadbeats.
Usually, though, I agree with networkers who say, “The only reason you have a card is to get their business card. Once you have someone else’s business card, you now have some control. You can email the person to introduce yourself and perhaps extend a special offer. You can make notes on what you talked about and then remind them at the point of the call.”
There’s only one possible exception. If you are in a design field, you need to have a knock your socks off card. It’s your sample.
But otherwise, who cares? You’ll get a comment, “Great card!” and then nothing happens.
What’s your take on business cards? Please add a comment below.
