5 Important Tips For Your Blogger Business Card

September 25, 2009

Picture 4Are you a blogger? Do you do any networking? Have a business card?

You should.

It is part of your personal branding. Even if you have business cards for your day-job, you should have one for the purpose of promoting yourself in your online market.

I just ordered new business cards because I have a few conferences coming up. I designed them myself (even though I am certainly no graphics artist). But, it brought to mind a few thoughts that I considered when designing my card. And I wanted to pass them on to you.

  1. Consistent Branding. If your blog has a logo, use it on your card.
  2. Use a photo. Some people may disagree with me on this one, but I like to include my photo on my card. Why? A lot of people are visual and might not remember my name when they get back home. By putting my photo on the card, they have a much higher likelihood of remembering me when they are going through a stack of business cards later on. You might also notice that I used the same exact photo that I use here on my blog, on my Twitter profile, Facebook, etc. Why? Consistent branding. Visual continuity.
  3. Move the old-school contact info to the back. My snail mail address and phone number are found on the BACK of my business card. Why clutter the front of the card with stuff most people won’t use? My target audience is primarily people who are also into blogging and social media. They are a lot more likely to email or tweet me than send me something in the mail.
  4. Social Media. Along those same lines, I highly recommend you include your Twitter URL, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. You want people to connect with you and interact with you after meeting you, and that is done with social media.
  5. Use the Back. Don’t forget all that real estate on the back of your business card. Why not use it? In my case, I used the logos and URLs to my major web sites. Some people also put in a benefit-oriented call to action on the back. Do something with it.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that blogging isn’t important enough to warrant a business card. As I’ve said a million times, if you want to make a business-level income with your blog, you have to treat your blog like a business. Well, a tiny little part of that is having something to offer when somebody asks “Do you have a card?”

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  • Great tips, I just received a new batch using Moo.com - each card features one of my best travel photos on the back. Since I'm a travel blogger, and other travelers are my main audience, this concept went over well for the cards I had previously, which I gave out during my trip. It also gives me a little story to tell with each card.

    I also went with the URL/email, and same 3 social media sites on the front, though I included my phone number as well. :)
  • A nice little checklist for me to run through before I push the "Buy" button on my own business cards here.
  • So much to do! It never ends! Being back in the pack blows!

    Because the scenery only changes for the lead dog...
  • You definitely want a business card for your blog, as it is your business. The one thing you mentioned that I have not tried is adding a photo to my cards. That absolutely makes sense! Will be adding my photo to my next order.

    You can get high quality cards online nowadays for next to nothing too, so there is no reason not to have them!
  • I totally agree with adding a photo. The real estate industry did this a few years back...with Realtors adding their personal photo to real estate signs. It's shown to have a significant impact on brand recognition. Most professionals still don't do this, but the fact is that it really works. It's your calling card...it should have a photo.
  • I totally dig this...I've been wanting to get some cards made up, and I really appreciate being able to take a look at what you've done with yours. Pretty sharp :)
  • Excellent looking card, David.

    One thing I'm going to do for my business card is to put my elevator pitch on the back. This is because after a couple of months, even with a photo they may forget exactly what I can do for them and what I'm about.
  • mm
    Hi,

    How come you stop making video? I come to this blog watch your videos.

    thanks
  • I'm making a lot of videos these days, but they are all for my coaching students inside the Blog Masters Club. :)
  • mm
    good strategy
  • David, would it be proper adding my picture even though the blog is not my full name as in your case?
  • I would think so. The other thing to consider is my point about people remembering who you are after they get home. Speaking for myself, I am horrible with names but I remember faces. Having a picture on the card helps me put two and two together.

    But, it is up to you. :) You won't notice a negative effect if you don't have a photo on your card.
  • Hi David,

    That's a very nice business card.

    Who designed it?

    I like your point number 3 "Move the old-school contact info to the back". I'm so used to having contact numbers in front that I missed this point.
  • Good advice as usual, David.
  • Great advice, I will put this on my to do list.
  • Kelly Mccausey
    I'm planning to leave my address off the next printing of my business card. Nobody uses it and I've moved twice in two years - will probably move again in a year. It's led to a lot of thrown away leftovers with old info on them.

    I like your emphasis on social media URLs - I'm going to go for that :)
  • TJ
    A great bit of advice I was given when thinking about getting cheap business cards done,

    "The most expensive business cards are the cheap or free ones"

    First impressions still count, give a potential client a cheap business card and he might always remain a potential client.
  • I like the idea of including a photo. It will connect with the humanistic personality type that values relationships and wants to get to know you. Bonus points for using the same photo for the sake of continuity.
  • Funny, as much as my face is splattered on Avatars, etc. across the web I don't know how I feel about having my face on my business card. I went with the logo instead; our company is called The Real Estate Tomato so we have a cool Tomato logo. We even have tomato squishy balls that everyone likes when we speak at conferences.

    But yes, I agree with all your points and I think it's an excellent list to run through when designing new business cards. And honestly, there's no reason why anybody shouldn't have a business card.
  • joebwharton
    We are just getting ready printing up some new cards for an upcoming event. We will definitely use these tips. Thanks!
  • It is apart of personal branding.If u have business cards then u should have promoting yourself in online market.thanks.
  • Sweet tips, David. I am way behind the ball on ordering my cards to take with me to Blogworld! Hadn't really thought about using the back of the card, so now I am putting my noggin to work on something good to grab their attention.

    Hope to see you in Vegas! Will you be there??
  • Really this is great post.All the tips of this post are very informative for all blogger.Yes i also want a business card for my blog,Thank you for sharing such useful tips with us.
  • Hi David.

    Was great meeting you at #izeafest.

    And one of the lessons I learned as newbie on a Social Media conference => Have your business card with you... (shoot...).. Well I will be better prepared next time. Writing out yellow post it notes was not the same..

    Great tips here..

    Cheers.. Are
  • I really like this tips. I've recently started blogging with the hope of eventually making some money. Professional business cards are a big part of projecting a professional impression and making your venture appear more legitimate.

    Where do you recommend buying business cards from?
  • If you are in business then you need a business card what better way to promote your services and tell people how to contact you. I am not sure I agree with you about adding a photo but certainly do with add all your social media touch points.
  • I'm so glad I googled the question "do people put twitter and facebook on their business cards" because I got your great blog. Thanks for the useful tips and helpful visuals- and I'm going to check out the blogs too!
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