Business cards can signify a number of things. When I was younger, having a stack of business cards gave me confidence. It was a sign that I ‘made’ it. They can be a social norm, an expectation, or an easy way to remember someone’s contacts. And that’s the first thing to consider when you design your business card: What purpose do you want it to serve?
Usually passed around at networking events, your business card is a first impression of you and your brand, so make sure it meshes with your message. If your card is beautiful but disconnected from you and what you do, it will be confusing and forgotten. Your social media, website, and business cards should be cohesive, even if only by something simple like a font, an icon, or a colour scheme.
Another thing people do is put a photo of themselves on their card so the recipient can remember exactly who they were long after the event is over. I personally write a quick reminder on the back of cards I receive noting what we discussed and a bit about the person so I find it super helpful when people leave the back of their cards blank for notes. Double sided cards with a glossy finish are currently on trend but unless they have a photo of the person, I usually forget who they belong to by the end of the night. I took your card because I want to remember you. Please make my goal easier by taking this into consideration; if you don’t have a photo, leave some space for notes.
And remember: networking is just another way to say making professional connections. The connecting is the important part. Careful not to pass out your cards like candy. Make a connection, exchange cards, reflect on your meeting, and, if you feel good about it, reach out in a day or two. It could look something like this:
Hello CORRECTLY SPELLED NAMED,
It was great meeting you at the Team Toadhouse ice cream social on Thursday. (Where/When you met.) Always great to meet another John Steinbeck fan! (What you chatted about.) Feel free to reach out the next time your project needs an illustrator. My portfolio is linked below. (Define what you hope your business relationship will be.)
All the best,
NAME/CONTACT INFO
Now, go put on something professional yet comfortable, carry extra deodorant and mints, tuck some of your new shiny (or matte!) business cards into a card case, and walk into that network meetup with humble confidence.
You belong there just as much as everyone else attending. And they’re probably feeling just as nervous as you. We’re all human after all. You got this!