Business Card Etiquette: Dos and Don'ts
Business cards are key marketing assets that can help you create and promote a professional image for your brand. A business card can transform potential clients into paying customers when designed well and presented correctly. Brandly offers an easy and convenient way to print and order business cards online to support your marketing strategies. Here are some of our business card do’s and don’ts:
Do: Keep Your Cards Up-to-Date
Help your business cards showcase your attention to detail by regularly updating them to reflect current information. Your cards should contain your most recent phone numbers, emails, and logo to make it easier for potential clients to contact you. Discard all outdated cards when they no longer serve you to avoid confusing them with your new ones.
Brandly can help you keep your cards updated through our easy online ordering process. You can create a free account, upload a recent PDF of your newest business card design, convert it into an online template for making adjustments, and place your order. You can also invite members of your business team to update their contact information using your new template. This can be helpful if your team hands out personalized business cards to make it easier for clients to reach the right person.
Do: Choose a Good Card Layout
An oddly-shaped card isn’t always a good choice, as it can be difficult to store. Cards that are too large or too small can also be problematic. They may be difficult to carry around or not fit all of your contact information. In most cases, it’s better to opt for cards in standard shapes and sizes.
Brandly offers cards with round or square corners. We print a standard size of 3.5 x 2 inches for orders delivering within the US, as this size is often easier to fit inside a wallet. Make sure your cards have a background that stretches slightly beyond that size to fill the bleed area. Avoiding unsightly white edges can help your business card look more professional.
Do: Prioritize Readability
While overly decorated cards can sometimes be attractive, they can also be difficult to read, making it harder for clients to get your contact information. Business card etiquette recommends focusing more on readability than creativity for your cards to be effective.
Design your business card template so that it is easy to read to help showcase your professionalism. Our Premium Gloss and Matte card options allow you to use images and bold color designs without compromising your cards’ readability.
Do: Include Multiple Ways Clients Can Reach You
Your business cards should feature all your core contact information to enable clients to reach you should one mode of communication fail. The bare minimum contact information for a business card is your phone number and email address.
Brandly allows you to print as much contact information as you need to guarantee efficient communication between you and your clients. You can include essentials like your name, job position, email address, physical business address, main social media account, web address, and phone number(s). Print on the second side of your business card at no extra cost to avoid crowding on one side.
Don’t: Write on Your Cards
Avoid updating your contact information or correcting misspellings or errors by hand. Doing this can make you appear unprofessional, affecting your chances of attracting new clients. Instead, order new business cards if your contact information changes and check them for typos before placing your order. Brandly’s easy-to-use platform makes doing this quite straightforward.
One of the only exceptions to this rule is if you’re writing personalized messages for your clients. In this case, choose business cards that are easy to write on so as to maintain their aesthetic appeal. Our Deluxe Writable business card is a great choice for personalized messages as it’s coated on one side and uncoated on the other.
Don’t: Offer Crumpled Business Cards
Giving potential clients crumpled business cards can be detrimental to your brand as it may portray you as unprofessional. Keep the cards fresh and clean by storing them appropriately. Choosing high-quality paper can also reduce their chances of getting ruined. Our Deluxe Soft-touch card features multiple layers of thick paper stock, making it a sturdy choice, especially if you intend to carry the cards in your pocket.
Don’t: Leave Home or Your Workplace Without Business Cards
A marketing opportunity can present itself anywhere at any time. Be ready to take advantage of these opportunities by carrying your business cards everywhere. This way, you don’t risk coming up empty-handed when potential clients ask for one. We can help keep you stocked by delivering your business cards quickly.
Don’t: Leave Your Business Cards at Random Places
Leaving your cards at random places can potentially decrease their value. Instead, hand clients your cards in person—this can help you build a rapport and allow you to answer their questions.
Try not to be too forward or pushy when handing out your cards, as it may come off as unprofessional. Wait for people to ask for your cards before offering them. If they don’t, ask whether you can offer them your card before you do.
Order Your Business Cards Online Through Brandly
Maintaining proper business card etiquette can help improve your chances of converting leads to paying customers. Business card etiquette calls for high-quality and readable cards. Carry them with you when you anticipate networking, and try to offer them in person whenever possible.
Brandly offers a fast and easy-to-use platform for ordering business cards online. Our platform helps you produce cards that adhere to your business’s professional standards. Contact us today to customize and print your business cards.