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Business Cards, the good, the bad and the ugly

I've attended many local trade show for homeowners. I enjoy collecting business cards when I'm there - not necessarily because I'm going to use these companies for their services, but because they can make great inspiration as to what works and what doesn't with a business card. I think i've got over 2000 that i've collected over the years that stood out to me, and have used them in presentations and seminars to show some real life examples of what makes a successful card. Looking through them, I notice that the majority of them weren't the greatest cards. So many people have a hard time selling their products or their services to people. Why on earth would you short change yourself by having poorly made or outdated cards to hand out? Give yourself the added confidence when representing your business by making sure that you don't commit any business card design faux pas.

1. You're at the end of a stack and you've changed your phone number or address. so you cross out the old information and write over the top. no no no.. bad idea. I know it's quick and simple for you. but later, this comes across as sloppy, unprepared and unprofessional. If something changes, so should your card. Period.
2. Overfilling your card. ok yea, name, address, phone, website, email address. those are certainly important. But stick with ONE logo and make sure you don't overfill your card with either information or graphics that are unnecessary. The point of a card is to give information in a clear, clean, short but sweet message.
3. You're at the end of a stack and you've changed your phone number or address. so you cross out the old information and write over the top. no no no. bad idea. I know it's quick and simple for you. but later, this comes across as sloppy, unprepared and unprofessional. If something changes, so should your card. Period.
4. Cost - going for the cheapest you can find. Yea when you're starting a business, you try to keep costs down. But this is something you're giving to a client. It is a direct extension of who you are and what you're business can do for them. If you give out a flimsy card with a poor design, what are you saying about your business? Paper quality, gloss, even specialty cuts are the added things that will cost money, but are definitely worth it. They help your card stick out among the others.
5. A business card is your business's identity. if it's bland, boring, or poorly designed you end up losing the appeal and therefore losing a sale. A business has a personality, a feel to it, and your identity should reflect that.
6. Now does that mean to go and make the snazziest best design EVER?! no - not exactly - you can certainly overdo it. And an overly designed card can backfire just as bad as a poorly designed one. Keep your audience in mind - what will attract THEM?

Having fun with Seattle Art Institutes

So last year I got a call from the Seattle Art Institute asking if I'd be willing to allow 8-10 students to come and "interview" me for a large assignment they had. They had to find 3 professional designers and interview them about what it's like in the real world. We met up at a diner and had breakfast food and I gave them the low down and dirty on the industry, what to expect, some of the challenges we face as creatives etc etc. I also got the pleasure of seeing these student's portfolios and it was an all around 3 hours of absolute bliss.

Well - this year they contacted me again and said that they wanted me to do it again. Well it's happening today - only this year rather than meeting at a diner, i'm letting them come down to the agency's studio. I've lined up one of our best HR recruiters whos' going to talk to them about what they need (from her perspective) to land a job after they graduate, she's going to go through their resumes, then we're going to get to their questions and interview, then have a little lunch and then i'll go through their portfolios.

I'm really looking forward to it this year, as last year it gave me such a motivational boost for many months following. To get to see these kids who are so fresh, they haven't been burned by clients, they haven't been tapped , they're still so innocent, it was absolutely refreshing; and a lot of fun to get to see fresh talent.

I've got work to do before they get here, so I better cut this short. Hope you all have a fantastic Friday!