Using a business card as a marketing tool can be an effective method of sharing your brand identity with potential clients. However, without the right information, a business card becomes just a piece of paper. In fact, it’s possible to include the wrong information or incorrect formatting and potentially lose business because of it.
Be sure that your business cards reach their full potential and are beneficial to your organization by ensuring that you don’t commit these 7 mistakes.
1. Too Much Information
Business cards offer only a small space to present the required information to potential customers. Sure, you should include as much information as possible; however, if you cram too much content into that limited space, it will have a cluttered appearance and be difficult to read.
Instead, include only essential information on your business card. Consider incorporating the following content:
- Company name
- Your name
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Website address
- Social media accounts
- Postal address, if relevant
2. Not Enough Information
Oftentimes, people opt for a minimalistic design for their company business card. When done right, this appearance is effective; however, potential clients must be able to easily find your contact details or other information about your company offerings. If your business card only has your name and phone number, you may miss out on projects from new clients who are seeking your web address or online portfolio.
Be sure to include all necessary contact information, even if it interferes with the concept of your design. If necessary, change your design, but don’t sacrifice important information.
3. Missing Brand Promise
Some business cards simply list an individual’s contact information, without revealing the corporate brand promise or company tagline. It’s crucial to include your offerings so that individuals understand what your business does, what it represents, and its products and services.
Always list a brief summary of what you offer and how you help people on your business card. Give people a reason to keep your business card and help them to remember later why they kept it.
4. Oversized Cards
Some people feel that the solution to overcrowding a business card is to use a larger cardstock when creating a business card. This, however, is not a good idea. While the card will contain all of the necessary information and additional content that you want to provide, it will be too bulky and inconvenient. Most people carry business cards in their wallet or purse or put them in a business card holder in their office. If the card is oversized, it may not easily fit in these locations and will more than likely end up in the trash.
Use the standard size dimensions for business cards to ensure that it is convenient for your potential clients. Cards are usually 3.5 x 2 inches. If you have a reason to use a larger paper stock, then consider utilizing folded cards.
5. Unusually Shaped Cards
Business cards can be made in a variety of shapes – even beyond circular, octogonal, and triangular. While these unusually shaped cards are unique and often even memorable, they may not be convenient. Consider the end function of a business card. Will it easily fit into a wallet? Can it be stored with other cards? Probably not.
If a card cannot be kept easily and conveniently, it’s more likely to be thrown out. Instead of aiming for a creative approach, opt for an effective and practical card shape.
6. Poor Grammar or Spelling
One quick turnoff for consumers is improper grammar or spelling. If something is spelled wrong, it can ruin your company image and even create a brand identity of a company that is unintelligent or incompetent. It is always important to check your grammar and spelling on all of your marketing materials.
Have another set of eyes check over your text or even consider hiring a proofreader prior to sending it to the printer. It’s better to spend the money on a proofreader than to lose business because of misspelled words or improper grammar.
7. Poor Quality Logo
Printers require high-quality images in order to produce business cards with a professional look. If you settle for low-quality images, you may have had to rely on cards with pixelated images or blurry-looking graphics.
Always use high-quality images on your business card. They will most likely appear large in your design program and need to be minimized to fit the card specifications.
Are You Making Mistakes On Your Business Card?
Look over your business card and see if you are making any of these mistakes on your cards. A business card represents you and your company. It should be crisp and clear with the right amount of information and in a format that is easily accessible to the end users. Avoid making mistakes when designing your business card to get the most out of this marketing piece.