This document provides guidance on business cards, including when and where to use them, what information to include, and design tips. It recommends giving your business card when introducing yourself and to network. The key elements to include are your name, job title, contact information like email and phone number, and logo. Design tips suggest using readable fonts and colors, leaving white space, and keeping the card simple and clean. It emphasizes always having cards available, checking spelling, and being selective about exchanging cards.

1. Business Cards 101
REBEKAH RODRIGUEZ & JOSH THEURER

2. How do you use business cards?
WHEN & WHERE TO USE BUSINESS CARDS

3. When To Get and Give Cards
u Give your business card when you are introducing yourself to
someone.
u This is at the beginning of a meeting and early in conversation at a
field day or trade show.
u Use your cards to network and get your name out.
u Be picky about who you take business cards from. Only ask for cards
from people you want to meet with again or do business with.
u When you get a business card from someone, write a little note on
the back so you remember the person and what they do.

4. Don’t Leave Home Without Them
Make sure you have your cards wherever you go.
Keep an eye on your supply (always have enough).
Have them with your friends and associates at all times.

5. Look For Opportunities
One on One Meetings
Social Events
Conventions and Trade Shows
Non-Competing Businesses

6. Make it Personal
When handing a card out, write your cell phone number
secondary email, etc..
Write a personal thank you on them to leave at restaurants or other
functions.

7. What do I include on a business
card?
ELEMENTS OF A BUSINESS CARD

8. Your Name
u Include the name that you want to be
called.
u For example: if you’re name is Robert, but you
go by Bob, put “Bob” on the card.
u Double check the spelling before your cards
are printed.

9. Job Title
u Include what you do for the company that you work at.
u Use the title that describes what you do and what you can do for
someone else.
u For example: If you own your own photography company, say
“Photographer & Founder” instead of just “Founder”
u Don’t assume people know what you do already.
u When using business cards to network and look for jobs while still in
school or unemployed, include the degree you are working towards
and the university you attend.

10. Contact Information
u Include your e-mail address.
u Make sure your e-mail address is appropriate.
u Bad example: c0wl0ver4ever@email.com
u Good example: firstnamelastname@email.com
u Your business phone number.
u Your website if you have one (maybe a portfolio
website).
u Don’t overwhelm people with information.
u Only put necessary phone numbers, websites, emails,
social media etc.

11. Logo & Personalization
u Most business cards will have a company logo on them to promote
the company itself.
u Generally, the logo is in the middle on the front of the business card.
u If you are not connected to a larger company, you can personalize
your card with different colored writing (stick to dark colors) and
different fonts (stick to easy to read print fonts).
u Rounded edges
u NOT circle cards

12. Design Tips
u 2 x 3.5 inches of high quality cardstock.
u If you use different fonts, don’t use similar ones. Keep them different.
u Don’t use more than 3 different fonts on one card.
u Leave plenty of white space on your card.
u Keep your card clean, simple and aesthetically pleasing.

13. Now, you try…

14. Bad? OK? Good?

15. Bad? OK? Good?

16. Bad? OK? Good?

17. Bad? OK? Good?

18. Bad? OK? Good?

19. Key Things to Remember about
Business Card Etiquette
u Use readable fonts and colors.
u Always have a few cards on you at all times.
u Don’t overwhelm people with information.
u Double check your spelling.
u Always keep your information updated and
current.
u Be picky about who you get cards from.
u Write notes on the back of a card someone
gives you.

20. Sources:
u https://business.tutsplus.com/articles/7-tips-on-what-information-to-
put-on-your-business-card--cms-25194
u Downey, W. Scott. ProSelling: A Professional Approach to Selling in
Agriculture and Other Industries. Chesterfield, MO: Agri Marketing
Magazine, 2011. Print.
u https://www.findspark.com/put-business-card-youre-student-recent-
grad/
u https://www.thebalance.com/what-to-include-on-a-business-card-
for-job-seekers-2062582