I think all young professionals - ahem, even those in college - should have a nice set of business cards. I first got mine before I attended PRSSA National Conference last year and they were a huge lifesaver! If you are attending PRSSANC this year, I highly recommending investing in a set. They aren't that expensive (I spent about $20 on mine including shipping) and they might even turn into a job or internship one day! Need I say more?
I just ordered another set of business cards last night in preparation for National Conference this year in Philadelphia (P.S. - today is the last day to register!). I'm super excited about how they look. They are pretty much the same design as last year, except I added a color to the back side and eliminated some of the text. I used Vistaprint this time around and it was super easy and pretty reasonably priced.
Here's a peak at what they look like!
I prefer clean lines and simplicity when it comes to business cards. Vistaprint has a lot of fancy designs that are super cute, but I wanted to keep mine classic. I uploaded my own design that I created using Adobe Illustrator. And if you have little knowledge of the Adobe Suite, don't be scared. I taught myself how to use the software and it was really easy. I used the same font, logo and color scheme as my resume and online portfolio. This consistency is important when building your brand, even when you are still in college.
I didn't want to crowd the front of the card with too much information, so I just kept it to the basic contact information (I eliminated my home address, as I doubt many people will try to contact me there). Again, clean lines and simplicity are key here.
As for handing out business cards, especially at networking events like National Conference, I have a few tips. Only give someone a business card who you think a) is a good contact b) you learned something from or c) who you had a meaningful conversation with. Don't automatically hand one out to the girl sitting next to you who you just met. I collect so many business cards over the course of a conference weekend and once I get home, I often can't even remember who half of the people were! Don't pass them out like candy; think before you card someone.
Along those lines, once you get a business card, try to jot down something noteworthy about the person on the back of the card. This could be a piece of advice they gave you or details about what you two talked about. This is imperative when following up with people after the conference. After meeting so many people, they all become a blur. But if you have a little note about your conversation, you will be able to send a meaningful follow-up email or tweet once the conference is over!
Another pro tip - make sure you have plenty of business cards. You will likely need more than you think. Even a trip to the bathroom can prompt a business card trade-off, so make sure they are always in your pocket or purse. Nerd alert...I keep a few business cards tucked inside my phone case so that if I need to pass along a card, it is always within reach.
What are your tips and tricks when it comes to business cards?
