Should You Order Business Cards?

There comes a point in every young entrepreneur's life when they have to decide, "Should I order business cards?" This often feels like a big step – like you're making your chosen career official, or like the idea of a company you've been kicking around is finally a legitimate endeavor. If you're trying to decide if you should order standard business cards, here are some tips to convince you it's a good idea:

Are Your Company Details Finalized?
If you're starting your own business, you don't need to know every nuance of the company before you order business cards. The only information you really need is the company name and a way to contact you. It's also smart to have a logo that you're really happy with and plan to use for the foreseeable future. This will make your brand more recognizable than if you order custom business cards that don't have a logo. If you don't yet have contact info or a company name, opt to wait until you have these items sorted out before you create business cards. 

Networking is Key
Whether you're creating a new company or will soon be graduating college and looking for a real job, networking is a huge part of getting yourself out there. One great way to make sure people remember you after they've left the cocktail hour or lecture where you met is to hand them your business card. Some may say that it's better to connect digitally when you are in person together (like on the LinkedIn app or by exchanging digits), but it's easy to forget who you are once you've had this quick interaction. Instead, hand someone your card and that physical reminder of you will stick with them and make its way onto their desk or into their business card holder. They're more likely to remember you with this tangible proof that you met.

Do You Have Style?
No, you don't have to be a fashionista to order business cards, but it is a good idea to have a brand or personal style in mind. Think about your favorite magazine or website. It likely has a cohesive theme that makes the layout look good, like a particular color scheme and font. Create guidelines for your personal image or company that you can reference when creating a business card. This will help you keep the design on-brand, making it more memorable as part of a larger whole. If you're creating personal cards, make sure your font, photo and colors match those of your professional website. For those making company cards, it's also important to use the same style as your website and any other marketing materials, like e-newsletters or email templates. Really develop this look before opting to print custom business cards, as you want to really like the look and feel of the brand before putting it on paper.