By Mitch Rice
Even in today’s digital age, where most interactions are online, handing out business cards has a different touch.
Your brand will get more recognition, and the card recipients will also value you. Nearly 27 million business cards are printed daily, so how will you ensure that your cards stand out among your competitors?
Don’t worry; with this flawless dos and don’ts list of business card etiquette, you won’t have to worry about networking anymore!
- Do: Go for a professional design
While choosing the design and paper material will be according to what you want, you should still opt for something that looks professional.
Ensure that the business cards look consistent with other printed materials your company sells.
For example, if your business’ color palette is blue and black, you can go for a sleek blue-and-black-themed stack of cards.
But also, don’t make the colors and designs too generic, as they’ll blend in with the crowd. Instead, be creative with your ideas in a way that shows that your brand is serious about connecting with others.
- Don’t: Scribble or write on them
Scribbling on the business cards that you distribute can give a very bad impression of your professionalism.
There are exceptions to this rule, such as if the receiver asks you to write down a number on the back of the card, but other than that, you should keep the cards clean and scribble-free.
This will also make it easier for the receiver to read and understand all the information on the card, especially if you’re giving out paper-based conventional business cards.
If you have to write additional notes, carry small pieces of paper or Post-it notes.
- Do: Keep the fonts simple
Most business owners make the mistake of designing their fonts in a way that hampers readability.
Always prioritize the reader’s comfort over everything else. No matter how great your cards look, if the receiver isn’t able to make out the contents, there’s no point in giving them out.
Keep the fonts stylish but simple, and avoid cursive fonts. Even the font color is important here. It should be clearly legible against the background color of the cards.
For example, if the card itself is black, the fonts should either be white or very lightly colored.
- Don’t: Use garish colors
A splash of pop color here and there can make your cards stand out, but if you fill neon colors or overly-bright shades throughout the card, it will end up looking too loud.
Choose shades that won’t distract the audience from your brand name or logo because those are the most important pieces of information you want to convey to others.
Unless you absolutely have to, refrain from using neon palettes completely. And even if you do, ask a professional business card designer to help you out. They’ll be able to guide you through the color palettes and aesthetics.
- Do: Carry a stack with you
No matter where you go, always carry a stack of cards with you. Whether you’re meeting a single client or attending a conference, you never know when you might be required to hand out multiple cards.
Don’t just keep them lying around in your office room. The main purpose of these cards is to get business after all, so ensure that you’re using them for their true purpose.
Keep the stack neatly inside the card box so that none of them get dog-eared or torn. Carry one stack in your briefcase, and keep another in your car.
- Don’t: Hand them out too early
Never start a conversation by handing out your business cards. While leaving a mark on others through these cards is important, don’t make it seem like you’re too eager to push your business.
You should wait until the other person asks you if you have a card with you or not.
Even if they don’t ask, wait till the conversation is over. Have a nice chat with the other person, understand their needs, and then ask them if they’ll be interested in having your card.
Also, while you’re handing out the card, ensure the front is always facing up.
Over to you…
These are a few of the basic business card etiquette that you need to be mindful of. So, if you don’t have a stack yet, start printing them and follow these golden rules!
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
