A smart business card is a “tool“--a device that aids in accomplishing a task. The information it presents should encourage your contact to keep your card within reach--it should add function to form.
Though it seems obvious, I'm guessing there are billions of business cards printed each year with blank backs. They represent countless numbers of intelligent business people who are surrendering half the real estate, on what is often their most widely circulated print piece, all for the want of a better idea.
The better idea is to add worthwhile information to your card. Information that is worthwhile whether or not your prospect buys your products or services immediately. After all, the goal is to keep your name in front of your audience for the long haul.
What type of information? Build on what you think your prospect hopes to gain from you--the problem you promise to solve. For example, a designer who works with small businesses might include "Five fundamentals of marketing." A copywriter who seeks work with corporate communications departments might include a link to a finely tuned piece about interviewing experts for writing projects. Or a photographer who is in search of freelance work with an agency might include thumbnails from their portfolio.
Your hook could be a list of tips or insights, a conversion chart, a table of measurements, a glossary of industry terminology, and so on. Some general business examples:
A bike shop proprietor incorporates a metric conversion table:
A copywriting teacher provides a list of proofreader's marks:
A guitar teacher includes basic chord diagrams:
A cafe shares a recipe that has brought it acclaim:
A pastor provides a list of local help line phone numbers:
I promote my design books and web by take the same idea one step further (below). Side one of the postcard I distribute includes inch, pica, millimeter, and point rulers, a basic color palette with CMYK values, charts of line values and shades of black and information about ideabook.com. Side two features “Brainstorming: Create an idea” and “Evaluate an idea,” a list of sometimes confused characters, a fraction to decimal conversion table, and a collection of interesting font combinations.
I offer to send as many as are requested for free to anyone who has a large group of people who are realistic prospects for my books--to teachers and trainers, user groups, and so on. You could use the same concept to promote yourself or your organization.
Here is a list of prime elements to consider including on your business card:
 | Chuck Green is the principal of Logic Arts Corporation -- a design and marketing firm -- and the host of ideabook.com -- a popular center for the exchange of print and online communication ideas. View Full Bio |
August 10, 2007 - 9:00am
I love the stuff on the back, however I had to learn the hard way that it may not be wise to have anything on the back. One of the best ways to make a business card more effective is to put notes on the back based on your meeting the person.
August 11, 2007 - 12:10am
Nice article, it seems like a clever idea and the example business cards you've included really illustrated the point.
August 11, 2007 - 6:57am
Great article, Chuck! Let the IBM's of this world squander the backs of perfectly good business cards. As was once declared, ‘There is gold in them thar hills!" Thank you for mining this treasure and writing such a well-constructed and illustrated article for your fellow graphicians---my term for those of us in the graphics/commercial arts business.
Your writing is inspirational in content and enjoyable to read in construction, what awinning combination. I will be looking for more of your articles and materials. . .
Again, thank you and job well done!
Terre Spencer
August 14, 2007 - 9:29pm
I agree..great article Mr. Green! I am revamping the Graphic Define cards right now as I type this.
August 15, 2007 - 6:47pm
This is a very good idea. Now my questions is: may I have one of your useful post cards?
August 27, 2007 - 2:53pm
This is an interesting idea. Thanks for sharing your take and examples!
To play devil's advocate (and to reiterate Meryl's point) it can be good to have blank space for notes. Of course, the blank space doesn't necessarily need to be the entire back of the card!
I know the concept of someone writing on your business card creation might sound heretical, but that's how they are often used out in the real world.
Also, it should be noted that sometimes backs are blank for financial reasons. But this is a good idea for times when two-sided is an option.
December 1, 2007 - 4:48pm
Nice article, it seems like a clever idea nice works ...
January 9, 2008 - 2:52am
Brilliant! Form should follow function -- these cards really add value in addition to being memorable. Great article and the examples and "list of elements" really help focus on what's important. I'm working on a set of cards and this will help break through the creative block...
July 17, 2008 - 8:39pm
Great Idea!I teach yoga - so i´ll can put up some asanas or meditations on the backside of my businesscard. Beautiful idea, thank you!
August 26, 2008 - 11:42am
Very nice article that provides us with great insight !!!
September 13, 2008 - 11:51am
Great cards, will definitely recommend a few of them to my teachers.
September 15, 2008 - 5:09pm
Great article. Gives me many good ideas, thanks.
September 16, 2008 - 3:13pm
Very gourmet cards, love them.
September 16, 2008 - 5:28pm
Very nice idea. This is the first time I've come across such an idea, and guess what? I love it.
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September 27, 2008 - 3:50am
Nice article, it seems like a clever idea and the example business cards you've included really illustrated the point.
October 8, 2008 - 8:22am
Great article. Gives me many good ideas, thanks.
October 8, 2008 - 8:23am
Great Idea!I teach yoga - so i´ll can put up some asanas or meditations on the backside of my businesscard. Beautiful idea, thank you!
October 8, 2008 - 8:24am
Great cards, will definitely recommend a few of them to my teachers.
October 8, 2008 - 8:32am
Love the cards.
October 17, 2008 - 6:58pm
I guess you write anything. But it is a cool idea.
October 30, 2008 - 6:51am
Great cards, will definitely recommend a few of them to my teachers.
November 2, 2008 - 9:39pm
More people are using the backs of their cards, have you noticed that when you give a card to someone they almost always turn it over to see what is on the back.
November 15, 2008 - 1:24am
Great Idea!I teach yoga - so i´ll can put up some asanas or meditations on the backside of my businesscard. Beautiful idea, thank you!
November 17, 2008 - 1:52am
The future of buseness cards will be electronic LCD video cards!
November 21, 2008 - 5:50pm
Your writing is inspirational in content and enjoyable to read in construction, what awinning combination. I will be looking for more of your articles and materials. . .
November 21, 2008 - 6:20pm
I offer to send as many as are requested for free to anyone who has a large group of people who are realistic prospects for my books--to teachers and trainers, user groups, and so on. You could use the same concept to promote yourself or your organization.
November 21, 2008 - 6:38pm
offer to send as many as are requested for free to anyone who has a large group of people who are realistic prospects for my books--to teachers and trainers, user groups, and so on. You could use the same concept to promote yourself or your organization.
November 21, 2008 - 7:58pm
will definitely recommend a few of them to my teachers.
November 24, 2008 - 9:16pm
Nice article, it seems like a clever idea and the example business cards you've included really illustrated the point.
November 25, 2008 - 2:29am
Very cool ideas! I wish I could think of something similar for my glazing business.
November 25, 2008 - 1:49pm
Great Idea!I teach yoga - so i´ll can put up some asanas or meditations on the backside of my businesscard. Beautiful idea, thank you!
December 3, 2008 - 4:43am
Also, it should be noted that sometimes backs are blank for financial reasons. But this is a good idea for times when two-sided is an option.
December 3, 2008 - 8:40am
Useful and effectual informations. Thanks
December 4, 2008 - 8:56am
good work thanks.
December 7, 2008 - 11:43pm
Here is a list of prime elements to consider including on your business card:
December 7, 2008 - 11:44pm
Your writing is inspirational in content and enjoyable to read in construction, what awinning combination. I will be looking for more of your articles and materials. . .
December 8, 2008 - 7:57pm
very inspirational, thanks
December 10, 2008 - 8:20am
can put up some asanas or meditations on the backside of my businesscard
December 15, 2008 - 4:57pm
will definitely recommend a few of them to my teachers.
December 16, 2008 - 4:27pm
this is really an awesome article..
really thanks for sharing...
regards,
stanford
December 17, 2008 - 4:11am
thanks alot
December 17, 2008 - 9:53am
thanks,good working
December 17, 2008 - 9:54am
thanks
December 17, 2008 - 9:55am
I wish I could think of something similar for my glazing business.
December 17, 2008 - 9:56am
cards Love
December 17, 2008 - 12:10pm
very inspirational, thanks
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