...when it's a company profile!

You know, I see a lot of business cards in my line of work.

Not only do I design them, I see them before I re-design them. I see them in their hundreds at various networking events. I have many reference books that showcase business cards from all over the world and there are countless posts across the internet that show-off some of the greatest (and not so great) business cards that have ever been created.

the bad, and the ugly

A business card has the potential to be a unique, relatively inexpensive, and successful advertisement for you and your business. Yes it's true!

Yet so many business owners want to use their business card as a tome that describes – in detail – every single aspect of their products and services, their philosophy and their unique point of difference (every last one of them).

They also want to put on their phone number, skype and MSN names, Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn handles, street address, postal address, fax, pager and mobile numbers, private and business email address and website URL. And every last degree, diploma or certificate accreditation – relevant or not.

Oh, and there needs to be room on the back to write appointments, model numbers and product specifications.

I know you've been handed a business card like I'm describing here. And I'll bet you "filed" it appropriately without even giving a second thought to the person who gave it to you, or the company they represent.

So what's the point of a business card?

The whole purpose of your business card is to introduce YOU, with the addition of relevant contact details so the recipient can get in touch with you at a later date. Plain and simple.

In this, the age of technology, there are plenty of other ways (like your website!) to find out more information about you and your business. On your website, you detail information about your products and services, and you no doubt list your contact details, so why not use your business card as a way to drive traffic to your website rather then replicate it?

For most businesses, all your business card really needs to have on it is:

• your name, clear and easy to read
• the contact details where people can get directly in touch with you (via the methods you want them to use to get in touch with you!)
• your website address
• your logo

Thats it!

Things like spaces for appointments might be relevant for some businesses, but other things like quotes or product descriptions should really have their own tools (like quotation forms and information brochures/flyers) that you use specifically for those purposes.

If, like most business owners, you want people to know more about you and your business, I encourage you to use your business card as functional and attractive advertisement for you. Designed well, it will inspire and motivate others to find out more about what it is you do, and get the information they need to get back in touch with you.

Use the comments to let me know about business cards you've seen that you've kept because you liked them - what was it that attracted you, why did you want to keep it? And if there have been some shockers, I'd love to hear about those too (if you can remember them!).