Personal Branding Toolkit – Part 1: Business Cards

August 19, 2008 at 11:33 am | In Networking, Personal Branding, Success Strategies | 27 Comments

This is the first post in a series dedicated to YOUR personal branding toolkit. Don’t leave home without it!

Your personal branding toolkit

1) Business cards
2) Portfolios
3) Resumes
4) Cover letters

Business Cards – A 3.37×2.125 inch card displaying information about you, your business or both.

I’ve seen many business cards in the past decade of my life and most don’t do people justice. They are always stale and don’t capitalize on personal branding. Have you ever gone to a conference, a networking event, a business dinner or an job interview, where the business cards were “just another piece of paper” and “so last century”?

Here is what happens when you receive 50 business cards in a single night of networking:

  • You can’t match any names with faces, so you forget everyone.
  • You are so overwhelmed that you don’t know who to follow-up with first and end up not touching base with any of your new contacts.
  • You have spent so much time connecting with many different people that you’ve neglected to build a stronger relationship with a select few.
  • You toss them in your card holder, under your bed, within your sofa or ontop of your TV.
A best practice for branding your business card

Your branded business card

How to create a business card that SCREAMS “BRAND ME”!

Before you read this, realize that you have to mentally throw out all the business cards you’ve ever seen because most of them are just plain terrible. Your business card is not only how you can make a statement but leave a lasting memory.

1) Name: Use your full name that you want people to call you. You don’t have to use your legal name and don’t use a nickname.

2) Personal picture: Every business card should contain your face. It’s rare to see someones picture on their business card. I never forget a face, do you? I don’t care if I pick up 1,000 business cards from an event, I will certainly remember your’s if you have your picture on it. A picture isn’t just about “being memorable,” it’s also important because it shows personality. It’s your chance to smile, have a goofy face or look angry. Let your brand shine through!

3) Logo: Whether you have a personal or corporate logo, it has to be included on your branded business card. A logo is the best visual for branding. I don’t see many business cards that don’t include this crucial element. Example logos

4) Contact information: You don’t have to include your address, phone number, fax number or email address. Cards that have all of this information are usually the worst because there is no white space and it’s crowded and confusing. Take it from me, just use your preferred method of contact. You can drop everything and only include “Google Me,” like Scott Monty did when I first met him.

5) URL(s): This is the perfect time to include a link to your blog, LinkedIn account or any other website that best represents your brand. It’s almost like saying “for more information that is not included on this business card, please see these websites.” Don’t include more than 2 or people won’t know what to do.

6) Material: Apart from common business cards made of paper/card there are also special business cards made from plastic (frosted translucent, crystal clear, white or metallic). You can even use metal, rubberized cards, magnets or wood. You are guaranteed to stand out if you don’t use the regular material.

7) Product snapshots: If you sell a certain product, like an iPod, a car or even a house, then take a snapshot and put it in your business card. Instead of having to explain your business on your card, make it simple by using a graphic.

8 ) Font: The typeface you use is very important for your personal brand. Here is a selection of fonts you can use.

9) Personal brand statement: This is yet another place to put your personal brand statement. Remember, this statement includes “what you’re the best at” and “the audience you serve.” It’s personal positioning for the 21st century.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)


27 Comments »

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  1. Helpful information, Dan. I will share this link with my PR Publications students at Georgia Southern University. One of their first publications will be their business cards.

    Comment by Barbara Nixon — August 19, 2008 #

  2. Wonderful post. You’ve inspired me to redo my business cards.

    Printing for less has been a good vendor in the past. (I have no relationship with them).

    Best wishes,
    Alec

    Comment by Alec Satin — August 19, 2008 #

  3. Great post…these are some really innovative ideas for business cards. I’ll definitely keep these in mind when making my own.

    Comment by Sean — August 19, 2008 #

  4. Good reminder that as we adjust to all the advantages of technology that we need to revamp some long standing resources also!

    Great tips!

    Comment by Pam — August 19, 2008 #

  5. [...] wanting to design my own, but I just haven’t had the time or the inspiration. A recent post, Personal Branding Toolkit – Part 1: Business Cards has given me some great [...]

    Pingback by A Step Ahead » Blog Archive » Your Brand, Your Business Card — August 20, 2008 #

  6. [...] Personal Branding Toolkit – Part 1: Business Cards « Personal Branding Blog – Dan Schawbel I’ve seen many business cards in the past decade of my life and most don’t do people justice. They are always stale and don’t capitalize on personal branding. Have you ever gone to a conference, a networking event, a business dinner or an job interview, where the business cards were “just another piece of paper” and “so last century”? (tags: businesscards) addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fpublicrelationsmatters.com%2F2008%2F08%2F19%2Flinks-for-2008-08-19%2F’; addthis_title = ‘links+for+2008-08-19′; addthis_pub = ”; « PR Profs Who Tweet [...]

    Pingback by Public Relations Matters » Blog Archive » links for 2008-08-19 — August 20, 2008 #

  7. Dan – I wonder how much we need business cards when your audience is all carrying mobile devices and can store the person’s contact, name and link to blogs or social sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc) which is better than a piece of paper which ends up in a desk drawer or lost. For creating a personal brand – I liked the idea this site http://www.moo.com/flickr/ (either use your face or photos from Flickr).

    Comment by Stuart Miniman — August 20, 2008 #

  8. This is an awesome post. Great job!

    Comment by Dave Saunders — August 20, 2008 #

  9. A fantastic post on applying your personal brand with business cards. Some may think that business card are thing of the past, but people still interact face to face for the biggest and most lasting business relationships. Not having an effective card is just plain silly.

    Comment by Dave Saunders — August 20, 2008 #

  10. Photos are great but we are seeing more and more people wanting to get a bit more creative, so they get a caricature drawn for use on their business stationary.

    No it does not cheapen the image, but serves to define that person from the crowd in that people know they are creative, can think outside the square etc

    Comment by Matt - the Caricature King — August 21, 2008 #

  11. Really helpful information Dan
    i hope this will help others to redo or make their new business cards
    so keep up the good work :)

    Comment by kenneth — August 21, 2008 #

  12. [...] 1) Business Cards [...]

    Pingback by Personal Branding Toolkit - Part 2: Portfolios « Personal Branding Blog - Dan Schawbel — August 21, 2008 #

  13. Thanks for this blog Dan, I’ll apply this concepts to my own business cards. Actually, a business card must say “Call ME” or “Contact ME” rather than call to our company.

    People wants to interact with people, not with some faceless company, evne when we talk about great companies. Your B.C. must REFLECT YOU.

    Saludos!!!

    Comment by Sergio — September 6, 2008 #

  14. [...] Business Cards — Some tips, in an abbreviated format: [...]

    Pingback by stories from a Public Relations life » get started in personal branding — September 7, 2008 #

  15. [...] reading Personal Branding Toolkit-Part 1: Business Cards, I’ve finally created my business [...]

    Pingback by A Step Ahead » Blog Archive » My business card–any comments? First impressions? — September 17, 2008 #

  16. [...] Personal Branding Tool Kit: Part I Business Cards Personal Branding Tool Kit: Part II Portfolios Personal Branding Tool Kit: Part III Resumes Personal Branding Tool Kit: Part IV Cover Letters [...]

    Pingback by Ryan Stephens Marketing » My Favorite Blog Posts from August — September 18, 2008 #

  17. Nice concept
    Would help in better recall and have reminder value
    Annoop

    Comment by Annoop — September 22, 2008 #

  18. Dan, Its great information, I disagree with one thing. My face on the card for many things racism of our society, race, age, weight, looks and so on. From my own girls at age 8.

    Comment by Leticia — September 22, 2008 #

  19. [...] Not to confuse you, but when you aren’t at work (off-hours), you still represent your company. The difference here is that you don’t have to actively talk about your company and can focus more on your other projects. When you go to a networking event, feel free to use your personal branding business cards. [...]

    Pingback by Personal Branding In Personal and Work Situations « Personal Branding Blog - Dan Schawbel — October 21, 2008 #

  20. [...] personal branding toolkit should include: 1.)Business Cards 2.)Portfolios 3.)Resumes 4.)Cover [...]

    Pingback by Ryan Stephens Marketing » 25 Ways to Get a Job: Get A Personal Branding Toolkit — October 24, 2008 #

  21. [...] weeks later, after reading Dan Schawbel’s personal branding advice on business cards, I flipped through the Mashable cards and found one with a head shot – belonging to Andy Pitre of [...]

    Pingback by Why My Face is On My Business Card | by Ari Herzog — November 14, 2008 #

  22. [...] face is perhaps the most important asset you have, both online and offline.  We spoke about how to brand yourself with business cards some time ago and how your cards should contain a picture on one side because that’s how [...]

    Pingback by How to Brand Yourself When You Have a Twin « Personal Branding Blog - Dan Schawbel — December 23, 2008 #

  23. [...] face is perhaps the most important asset you have, both online and offline.  We spoke about how to brand yourself with business cards some time ago and how your cards should contain a picture on one side because that’s how people [...]

    Pingback by HRM Today - Blog Archive » How to Brand Yourself When You Have a Twin — December 28, 2008 #

  24. [...] For the release of my new book and to capture everything I do in the personal branding world, I had new business cards made. It costs about $170 to get 1,000 double-sided, color, 12 pt thick, glossy business card.  One side is the cover of my book and the other has my picture, with my contact information, two media quotes and my title.  From a branding perspective, these business cards will make people remember my face and the book that I have coming out in April.  Whether you’re in college, an entrepreneur or a manager, you should have your own business card.  If you want to learn how to create your own business cards, see my previous post on this topic. [...]

    Pingback by Road to Me 2.0: The Ultimate Personal Business Card Revealed « Personal Branding Blog - Dan Schawbel — January 1, 2009 #

  25. [...] For the release of my new book and to capture everything I do in the personal branding world, I had new business cards made. It costs about $170 to get 1,000 double-sided, color, 12 pt thick, glossy business card.  One side is the cover of my book and the other has my picture, with my contact information, two media quotes and my title.  From a branding perspective, these business cards will make people remember my face and the book that I have coming out in April.  Whether you’re in college, an entrepreneur or a manager, you should have your own business card.  If you want to learn how to create your own business cards, see my previous post on this topic. [...]

    Pingback by HRM Today - Blog Archive » Road to Me 2.0: The Ultimate Personal Business Card Revealed — January 5, 2009 #

  26. I’m glad to hear a real professional touting the benefits and I’m about to link to your article. I find it ironically weird that a professional will spend $500 on their suit – but scoff at having another real professional do their headshot and business card for half that! If you spent it the other way around, you’d be on top of everyone in the networking crowd handing out worthless business cards in expensive cloths.

    Comment by Neil Cowley — January 9, 2009 #

  27. [...] match any names with faces, so you forget [...]

    Pingback by Charlotte North Carolina Head Shot - professional business card design | Make Love Real — January 10, 2009 #


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