House, design, renovation, decor.  Courtyard and garden.  With your own hands

House, design, renovation, decor. Courtyard and garden. With your own hands

» Correct business card content. Personal and corporate business cards according to business etiquette

Correct business card content. Personal and corporate business cards according to business etiquette

A business card is not only a business attribute, but also a mini tool for drawing attention to your person.

After each conference, dozens (or even hundreds) of business cards end up in your pocket. How many of them are likely to end up in your business card holder (and not in the trash can)?

There are only three options here: the status of your personality, preliminary agreements on cooperation, a coolly designed business card.

On the other hand, a sensibly created business card is pleasant to hand and hear in response. "Wow, what an interesting business card you have!"

When a person is faced with the need to create business cards, he goes to a printing company and hopes for the experience of the masters. It turns out another gray business card, the quality of the paper and the design of which was worth a penny. Consequences of the desire to save ...

Before you create a business card, you should think about its concept. Talk to a marketer. Or at least - read this article in its entirety.

  1. A business card is not yesterday, but still a very effective "point of contact" (Igor Mann's term), this is an attribute that every person should have
  2. It is better to have at least some kind of business card than to develop its concept for months and not have a single one with you.
  3. When creating business cards, you need to take into account 2 main criteria for its success: image and functionality
  4. As a rule, a business card is a piece of cardboard in the shape of a rectangle, the most popular sizes are 90x50 mm, 80x40 mm and 70x35 mm.
  5. There are business cards made in the original form - squares, ovals, projections, etc. This, of course, is beautiful and unique, the template breaks ... But there is only one small problem - there is nowhere to store such business cards, they do not fit into a standard business card holder.
  6. Business cards of the company are made in the same corporate style - the name of the company, logo, index, address, link to the website
  7. There are several rules for specifying telephone numbers: it is advisable to indicate the number direct (bypassing the secretary), or add an extension number, it is also recommended to indicate a fax (useful for sending information)
  8. The business card must contain the name and surname of the owner, his position, as well as contact information (phone number, e-mail, skype)
  9. The name and surname of the business card holder are usually printed in a larger font, bold
  10. There are no hard and fast rules - indicate your full name or be limited to your first and last name - here it is at your discretion
  11. Due to the "socialization" of the business environment, it is recommended to add links to your social media accounts in the contact information
  12. Leaving an empty line on a business card in front of information about the phone or e-mail in order to add this data manually (selectively: I give to whom I want) is a bad form
  13. The position should be indicated not by the organizational structure, but in a language understandable to people. For example, the position of "deputy for general issues" leaves more questions than answers
  14. The main drawback of most business cards is too small print
  15. Choose such a font so that all information is easy to read and understandable, without the need to bring the card to the nose and eyes, avoid any lace fonts
  16. It is recommended to avoid italics when typing business cards.
  17. Before printing, check several times that there is no error or typo hidden in the text or contact information.
  18. It is very useful to leave some kind of "clue" on the business card so that the holder can remember what your company is doing. But do not overdo it, it will be superfluous
  19. The photo on the business card makes it more personalized and unique. But in the business environment, this is considered bad form. And what do you think?
  20. You can make your business cards in one scenario, but in different colors - and offer them to clients to choose from.
  21. In the business environment, there is a rule: a business card should combine no more than three colors.
  22. Pay close attention to the quality of the paper - I really don't want your business card to wrinkle at the first touch, like cotton wool
  23. According to protocol rules, the back of a business card must remain blank so that its holder can make the necessary notes. But these are "protocol rules"
  24. If you often communicate with foreign partners, then on the back there may be a version of your business card in a foreign language
  25. On the other hand, if you often communicate with foreign partners, it is advisable to have 2 sets of business cards with you: one in Russian, the second in English
  26. If you go abroad on a business trip, it is advisable to order a set of business cards in the language of the host country - this will definitely produce the proper effect of recognition and respect.
  27. On the back of a business card, you can make a little background information about its holder
  28. On the back can often be placed information about a special offer for the holder
  29. On the back can be placed information about the discount - general and personal
  30. On the back of the business card, you can indicate your USP (unique selling proposition) with a decryption
  31. On the back of the business card, you can give a promotional code to buy your products at a discount
  32. Do not hesitate to include information about your merits and achievements on your business card.
  33. In a company, not all employees need business cards, but only the management team, as well as employees who advise clients and represent the company outside of it.
  34. The vertical way to design business cards is popular in England. Only you and I do not live and work there. Our brother is used to horizontal business cards.
  35. Business cards do not need to be handed out, they should be exchanged. The only exception is when a client comes to your office, you advise him and hand over a business card, and this client is a simple consumer.
  36. If you invite a client to your office, then you are the first to hand over the card, saying your first and last name aloud, so that the partner knows exactly how your first and last name sounds correctly. It's just that there are such names and surnames from time to time that it is better to inform in advance so as not to listen to different interpretations later.
  37. You need to hand over the card with your right hand and in such a way that the recipient can immediately read what is written on it
  38. If a man and a woman participate in the negotiations, then the man is the first to present the business card.
  39. Cards must be exchanged at the time of acquaintance and before the negotiations themselves, and not after
  40. When you are handed your card, do not hide it in your pocket, notebook or wallet. Put it on the table in front of you, and pick it up after the negotiations are over
  41. Never hand in cards that contain information that is smeared due to wear or wear.
  42. You should ensure that the information on the business cards is current at the time of delivery.
  43. If you change any contact information or position - immediately change the business card, no crossed out
  44. You should carry your business cards with you and not store them under your pillow.
  45. It is advisable to wear business cards in a special box (business card holder), getting them out of your pocket or wallet is not the best option, and even more so from a large pack wrapped in an elastic band
  46. Make it a habit to always have at least 10 business cards with you. Naturally, if you are going to some kind of mass event - worry about the stock
  47. Never say "Oh, where did I put my business cards?"
  48. If you are attending an informal event, when presenting a business card and presenting, you can say a few words about what you do and what you will be useful in, and that’s all - no obsessive selling
  49. If in the negotiation process you have a standard to place information (commercial proposal, brochures, price lists, contract) in a corporate folder, and there is a compartment for a business card in it - remember, it should never be empty, even if you personally presented your business card
  50. Make yourself another habit: redesign your business cards at regular intervals.

Look at your business card, would you like to touch it, smell it, or maybe lick it? Does it stand out in form and content? In this article, I'll tell you what to write on your business card so that it doesn't end up in your shopping cart. Let's make it so that she sells your services around the clock and does not lie alone in the trash. Warning: after this post, your business card will change dramatically.

On Instagram, the profile header is responsible for the functions of the business card. It is she who tells people who you are and why they need to listen to you. As in the case of a business card, a profile description can catch on or leave you indifferent.

Thanks to Igor Mann and Dmitry Turusin for speaking at the Russian Marketing Week conference. Thanks to them, I realized that I had to throw out my business cards and make new ones. They are the authors of a bestselling book called Points of Contact, an interesting take-and-do book. Everything I love.

Points of contact are moments, places, interfaces, situations in which the client comes into contact with the company. One of these tools is the business card.

Why do we need business cards?

  1. This is your miniature business proposal. You can post any information that will hook a person.
  2. This is networking - it answers the question of who you are and what you do.

A business card is an integral part of the image of any entrepreneur. This is not only an advertisement for your goods and services, but also the face of the company, therefore it is worth approaching the manufacture of this business tool with all responsibility, and we will help you with this.

Business card is not a promotional brochure

This should be remembered by every person who is going to make their own cards for employees of their company or for themselves. Pay attention to what format the future business card will be. Examples of sizes are varied, but it is worth stopping the choice on the 5 by 9 centimeters standard. This will be quite enough to place important information, not "blow up the brain" of the future client with unnecessary trifles and put the card in the smallest wallet.

There should be a minimum of information. Laconic and informative, that is, the phone number and address of the company, what you do, the name and surname of the employee, position. Everything. You should not cram information about all your goods and services, list the names of employees, and even more so cram the map to your office. Most of these overloaded business cards end up in the nearest trash can, not having time to warm up in the hand of the future client.

Variety of languages

One wrong decision can completely ruin the business card. Examples of incorrect business cards include entering information on them in different languages. If you decide to attract clients from other countries or you have business partners in different countries, then donate money to make a batch of cards for foreigners.

Printing on one business card in different languages ​​will ruin the company's reputation and be known as greedy people. In business, this should not be allowed in order to prosper, and not to overwhelm the whole business with the wrong "company face".

Rainbow colors

Not so long ago, business cards were more fashionable if they had many colors in their graphics. The fact is that even 10 years ago, using a color printer was a status indicator. Now this method is not relevant, and the era of minimalism has come. She touched on everything, including the company information cards.

Just looking at the examples of business cards (photo below) with the wrong choice of colors, I want to close my eyes, because it seems that you are holding in your hands not business information, but a dancing gypsy camp. Few people want to cooperate with such a company, in the business cards of which there is no sense and taste.

Remember the three rules of an elegant card: minimalism, conciseness, informativeness. This also applies to the colors chosen for decoration. Use the range of colors of your company (if any), make sure that all tones are compatible. Business cards, the design examples of which are correct, have no more than three or four colors that are in perfect harmony with each other.

Also, the font color should be business-like - black. You cannot write in a new shade on each line, even if you offer to buy paints.

How do I arrange the elements?

Business cards, the design examples of which are admirable, differ in the arrangement of all elements.

To make the card truly work, order several types of printed business cards, the only way you can identify their shortcomings. Take a phone in one hand, and an informative "piece of paper" in the other, then swap them. If in any case the contacts were covered with your finger, then change the arrangement of the elements.

The company logo should be placed in the upper corner, or you can completely abandon it, so as not to clutter up the information view.

Materials for business cards

The business card does not have to be exclusively cardboard. Examples of materials for making: leather, wood, plastic, rubber, exotic base and others. It all depends on your imagination. But keep in mind: the raw materials for making cards must correspond to the direction of your company. It is unethical to hand out business cards made of animal skin when you are raising charitable funds to save rare species of animals.

Companies that make business cards offer a lot of font application options: embroidery, firing, and simple application of information with paints. So that the base of the card is in harmony with the method of applying letters and numbers to it, think carefully when choosing one or another design proposal.

An example of the right business card: professional making

In order not to be considered a redneck and a person who does not respect business partners, never make business cards yourself. It is clear that everyone is chasing savings, but it should not affect the company's reputation.

All offices now have color printers, and you might think that it is possible to make cards yourself. If you are not a professional designer, then do not undertake to create, print, and even more so cut out business cards with scissors. This is a bad quality, possible bad taste, incorrect design. As a result, we saved two rubles, and lost a million, losing customers. Order business cards from professionals.

Business card holder for a business person

If you think that allocating money for the purchase of a business card holder for storing cards is a waste, then you are greatly mistaken. Do you personally like it if you get a business card from the person who took it out of the back pocket of his pants? It seems that not very much. First, it's unethical. Secondly, the card will be in a terrible state.

A person can sit down several times a day. Thus, business cards wrinkle and wrinkle, losing all their appearance. Jacket pockets are also not able to preserve the original look of the card, so it is worth purchasing a business card holder to store them. It will not only keep the "face of the company" intact, but also emphasize the style of a business person.

The business card, the design examples of which we have provided you, should become a business tool for attracting customers and partners, so don’t spare money for its production!

It is important for a business person to declare about his business and about himself. An entrepreneur who wants to succeed cannot do without a business card - it reflects key information that advertises a person's activities. This is a kind of emblem that forms the image of a modern businessman.

For a business card to help create a favorable impression, it must be designed according to all the rules. It is also important to know how to competently hand over yours and receive someone else's.

Business etiquette dictates certain rules for the design of business cards. When placing the details of the owner, it is important to avoid some mistakes:

  1. A classic business card is filled on one side only. The back is traditionally left blank to use for notes.
  2. It is not customary to place a photo of the owner on a business card. An exception is made for managers: a photo will help distinguish this person from other employees of the company.
  3. It is drawn up taking into account the field of activity. For creative people, creative form and design are acceptable. For example, a business card shaped like a hairbrush for a stylist. For the banking industry, it is preferable to stick to strict classic colors and fonts.
  4. The full title of the position is indicated, for example, not the deputy director, but the deputy general director for financial affairs.
  5. The phone numbers include the area code and, for overseas customers, the country code.
  6. It is preferable to place corporate e-mail on the domain of your company, rather than on public mail services. A good domain name reflected on a business card affects the company's image.
  7. Links to the company's website should not contain "https ///". This is an optional part of the address.

Business card size

Distinguish between European and Russian size standards. European card size - 85 × 55 mm. Russian - 90 × 50 mm. It is on the Russian standard that a significant part of domestic business card holders are oriented - cases for storing business cards. Sizes may vary depending on the species. A branded business card can be more than a standard, and a personal woman's - less.

What can and should be written on a business card

First, you need to decide who and for what purpose this business card will represent. What a business card looks like depends on its functionality. There are three types: personal, corporate and business ... Each is filled with specific information

  1. Personal will be needed for informal communication. The rules do not strictly regulate what information should be presented on it. The surname and first name, as well as the phone number are indicated. If you wish, you can post information about the academic degree, place of work, e-mail. Information about the owner's hobbies will be appropriate.
  2. Corporate the business card does not include personal information and is given to advertise the business. Tells about the services provided by the company, introduces the name and details of the company: e-mail address, phone number, driving directions. Names and surnames are not indicated in it. The number of phone numbers is important. The more there are, the higher the reputation of the company. This is a good way to get new clients and investors interested. To place advertising information about the company, you can print double-sided business cards.
  3. Business intended for business partners and customers. Its goal is to tell not only about the owner, but also about the company. On such a business card, personal data, position, field of activity of the company are indicated, as well as the logo of the company. State symbols can be seen on the cards of government officials.

You shouldn't post information in several languages ​​on one business card. The use of Russian on one side and a foreign language on the back will cause bewilderment among partners. Better to print two different sets.

Business card font

When choosing a font, it is important to observe the main condition - the text of the business card should be easy to read. One business card uses no more than two fonts, which must be combined with each other. The most common option is black letters on white. Deformation (stretching) of the inscription is not encouraged.

What should a business card look like so as not to irritate others? The thoughtful style of the business card will advertise the owner well.

  • The most successful option is the classic one. For the background and font, several muted shades are chosen in the same range and one bright color that will attract attention. The maximum number of shades is four. For example, white, gray, black and red.
  • Too bright cards with a lot of colors tire the eyes: letters merge against a colorful background, the text is difficult to read. The dark ones look grim and subconsciously alienate customers.
  • The preferred background color is white, which does not annoy anyone. Text against such a background looks contrasting, easy to read. White business cards are cheaper to print than colored ones.

Positioning the text on the business card

All elements on a business card are arranged in accordance with the design rules. It is important that images and information are easily and quickly perceived by people. Therefore, there should not be many elements.

From the point of view of the psychology of perception, a person, getting acquainted with information, first looks at the upper left corner, then his gaze shifts to the center, and finally moves to the right... It is logical to leave the company logo in the upper left part, place personal data (last name, first name, position) in the middle, and indicate the name and details of the company below.

The printing error must be taken into account, therefore, when placing information, at least 3 mm recede from the edges of the template.

Business card material

When designing business cards, remember that the quality of the paper determines the degree of solidity of the company. Business cards on thick paper will last longer. The most durable are made of cardboard.

Coated paper, white or colored, is most commonly used for corporate purposes. Exclusive and original cards can be made of textured paper, but printing will be more expensive.

The choice of materials for personal business cards is very diverse. Besides paper, it is wood, metal, plastic, even leather.

Errors, misprints and corrections

It is important to remember that the text of the business card should not contain typos, spelling or grammatical errors.
Business partners are unlikely to appreciate hand-corrected bugs. Such business cards will compromise the owner and cause distrust in the company. And an inaccurate address or phone number will lead to the loss of potential customers.

Business card delivery rules

A business card is handed over to a personal one. The rules establish the order of who is the first to present the business card.

  • When during a business visit, according to the protocol and etiquette of delivery, the subordinate is the first to present his business card to the superior.
  • If the positions are the same, then the one who is younger in age holds out his card first.
  • There is no strict regulation for peers with the same social status, here the first will be more polite or more active.

A business card is an important element of business life. Qualitatively presented information will competently advertise the owner and help to interest clients.
Therefore, the design of the business card should be thought out with great care.