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Business Card Mistakes

April 29th, 2009

By Matt Cook
Point.Click Media

How often are you complimented on your business card? Is the feedback from your clients usually positive? Business cards can make a great impression and are very cost-effective. So why are there so many bad business cards out there, and what does it take for you to be noticed? Here are some of the most common business card mistakes that businesses tend to make:

Patterson Sales and Service - Business Card Design

Mistake #1: Printing your own cards

Just because there are do-it-yourself kits out there with ready-to-print templates and perforated edges for easy use doesn’t mean that’s the best solution for your business cards. Any self-respecting business owner should know that you don’t skimp on printing costs. A poorly printed business card, or one that’s printed on a piece of razor-thin cardstock with peeling edges, is a sure-fire way to ensure your card makes a one-way trip to the landfill. Your clients will always spot the fake.

Mistake #2: Oversized cards

You always want to make sure that your card stands out from the rest. What a better way to do that than to make a card that’s slightly bigger than everyone else’s. Right? That will stick out from the rest. Right? Wrong. Cards larger than the traditional 3.5 by 2 inches may not fit in the prospective client’s wallet or business card holder. You’ll stand alone amongst your competition all right… in the cold.

Mistake #3: The ‘life story’ card

Remember, your business card is your quick-and-easy way for your clients to find you. You don’t need to put the whole company history, 12 phone numbers, 8 email addresses and your blood type on your business card. Not only does a busy card look unprofessional, it makes you look desperate. A better solution is to have your name, business name and logo, and most accessible contact information on the card. If you wish to leave a short list of services or products with the client, use the back of the card. Your business card doesn’t sell you. You sell you.

Mistake #4: Mystery cards

The inverse effect of having a busy card with way too much information is having one with none at all. Believe it or not there are still business cards floating around out there today, in the year 2009, that don’t have names on them. They’ll say something like “Plumbing sprung a leak? Call 555-5555”. They leave no indication of who the client should be talking to. It’s best to identify yourself by leaving your name, work phone, cell phone (if you wish), and email address if you have one. A common question is also “What about fax numbers?” If your business still does a lot of business via fax then it may be a viable option, but if the only faxes you’ve received in the last year are for frequent-flyer savings to Cancun, then chances are it’s not necessary. An email address will surely suffice.

Now that you’ve seen some of the most common mistakes found in the business card world, and you’re considering upgrading your business card, contact Point.Click Media for additional free consultation.

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Posted in Branding Tips on April 29th, 2009

3 Responses to “Business Card Mistakes”

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