Ditch the Business Card: 6 Ways to Create Info Cards That Make Your Company Stand Out

Michel Theriault
Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0000

How many business cards do you hand out during networking sessions or at business meetings? You hope the recipients actually keep the card and enter your information into their contacts. You hope they will remember you and look you up in the future with a business opportunity.

So what do you do with cards you receive from anyone other than a potential client or marketing target? That’s what happens to your card.

Business cards vs. business info cards

Business cards have a purpose as part of common business etiquette and as a simple and cheap way to pass out your contact info, but they aren’t a very effective marketing tool.

Instead of just handing out your business card, give your possible clients or partners an info card that they will want to keep because it has interesting or useful information on it.

This card shouldn’t be a marketing pitch so don’t make it into a mini brochure. The best approach is to connect it with your industry, your target customer’s industry, or a related product or service. The info card is basically printed like a business card and can be done by your existing business card supplier. They are cheap to print so create a few different ones, geared to specific interests and possibly related to particular industries, products, or services.

Here are 6 approaches to making an info card.

How to create a business info card

1. Include a quotation

Use a powerful quotation that would interest your contacts and something they may want to keep for reference and share with others. Include an image of the quotation’s author or the topic of the quote to make the card stand out.

2. Add stats and facts

Highlight interesting statistics or facts that they would be amazed to know. These should be related to their industry and interests. This should be accompanied by interesting and colorful graphics to enhance the card. Take a visual cue from the way infographics are designed.

3. Provide references

Provide useful references to other sources that would be helpful to your contact, such as online tools and information. Include links to them on the card or provide a main link to your own website where you have more information about those tools along with the links.

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4. Include useful information on the card

Include conversion tables, formulas, or other info your contacts may need on a regular basis. You can even make the edge of your card into a ruler or into a special measurement tool for something used in your industry.

5. Don't forget your contact information

Include your company/contact info in small print on the front with the information. Make it double-sided with your contact info on the back or use both sides for the information, and keep your contact information visible but fairly discrete.

6. Web address and QR code

Provide a web address they can follow or QR code they can scan that leads them to a full-sized PDF version of the information, an expanded version with more information, or to additional related information. Create a special page on your website with the material.

Business info cards are good for business

By handing out information your potential clients will want to keep and that is useful to them, you are touching on two key parts of modern social marketing: staying in front of your customer and giving them something to build goodwill before you ask them for their business.