March 1st 2008
Business cards – when creativity gets weird.
I have spent many hours in February entering business cards into a spreadsheet for one of my clients. The stack of cards was several inches high, and since data entry doesn’t take all that much mental focus, I did a lot of thinking.
This wasn’t the first time I’ve had this type of project, but this time the caliber of cards was really interesting to me. I think it’s because the longer I’ve been in business, the more it puzzles me why people even bother to print off some of the cards I come across.
I saw several cards with those perforated edges that were printed at home, on a very lightweight stock that I wouldn’t even call cardstock. I would estimate more than half did not use the back side of the card, which is just crazy to me. Why not use half of the real estate of your business card to include a marketing message, service list or something. Anything. Wait, I take that back. One of these cards really made me lose focus – to the point that I had to pause my timer.
The card was a plain white perforated one and had no mention of a business name. Just a woman’s name, phone number, email address and website address. On the back of the card (which I was checking for additional notes to enter in the spreadsheet) was written “the red head”. In all small letters, and it was actually part of the card, it wasn’t a note my client had made.
Now…it’s really hard not to make a judgment when you see something like that. I’m sure your first thought was probably the same as mine was. I knew there was more to it, though, knowing my happily married client. The site belonged to a business brokerage (I had to check out the site of someone that would print that on the back of their business cards) which kind of shocked me.
I believe the description on the back of the card was meant to be cheeky, and that woman wanted people to remember her as ‘the red head’ they met with. Red heads are rare, right? Lucy, Sally Jessie, Nicole Kidman. I can only name a handful of famous red heads. Putting “the brunette” on the back of my cards wouldn’t mean much, right? Chances are, at a networking event, people might only meet with one red head among all the brunettes and towheads. So I understand the intention, I just don’t think it worked in this case. Maybe if the card was a bit more professional, or if there was at least a business name or description.
Anyway, what do you think about this? Do any of my readers use a tool like this to make people remember you in your networking efforts?
You know what? That red head may be a genius. I will probably never forget her name, website address or what she does. Hmmm. Something to ponder.
I would love to hear your comments.
8 Comments »
joe alon on 02 Mar 2008 at 10:07 am #
After reading this article I came to the one conclusion one can only get: designing business cards is a task to be prformed by proffesionals. The graphiks, the wording, the colors, one sided or double sided, a lot of information or just teasing. Using humor or being serious about it, and many more parameters of delivering a punch line message to the potential customers. Look into the web and locate for your self an on-line print shop, save a lot of money and enjoy the pre designed templates they all offer you. If you want my recomendation: dcp-print
What a Writer is Reading on the Web, 3/2/08 | Real Words on 02 Mar 2008 at 3:04 pm #
[...] Business Cards: When Creativity Gets Weird @ Mann Made Blog [...]
Business Cards Articles » Blog Archive » Business cards - when creativity gets weird. on 03 Mar 2008 at 4:14 am #
[...] Original post by Jaime Mann [...]
owen on 04 Mar 2008 at 7:25 am #
in my humble opinion, your business card is probably one of your best marketing tool. And speaking of marketing, I’d like to promote my site on this article. Unfortunately, i cant seem to find your contact email anywhere on this site. Please contact me using this email if your interested. Thanks.
Mark Hodder on 18 Mar 2008 at 11:45 am #
I’ve been told to leave the back side of your business card blank on purpose – this is because when someone receives your card they usually right notes on the back of it to remember who you were, what you talked about etc.
Glossy cards and cards with printing on both sides don’t give room for this common habit business people do.
Jaime Mann on 18 Mar 2008 at 11:56 am #
Hi Mark,
Good point. I have also heard glossy cards are a bad idea. I think with a matte card printed on both sides, people can still add notes. With my cards, the back has a list of my popular services, so people have a little reference area there, but they could still add notes if they want.
At every networking event I’ve gone to, when I hand someone my card they automatically turn it over, and I do the same when I receive a card. That’s such a great space to use, it hurts me to see it left blank!
Jaime
Brazilia Benet on 23 Mar 2009 at 3:53 pm #
Hi,
I did some research recently to see how many of my colleagues actually took the time to write notes on the back of the cards they receive. Very few did make any note on the reverse side.
It would take minimal space to state “met at networking on (date & or place), or call re: or talked about.
There could still be room for your personal branding or message.
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