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Business Cards For Your Own personal Brand

Whether you are in transition or not, you need to have personal cards. If you are in transition, it is critical to your networking. There are things you should do and things you should avoid.

First, get cards quick. Going to networking events handing out your last work card and scratching out things, is not the impression you want to leave with people. Even if your first set needs changes you are way ahead if you have something.

On the card you should have at a minimum:

1. Name
2. Email
3. Phone number (I recommend a cell phone so that you are more accessible.)
4. City State (Important so that people get an idea of geography you are looking in)

Other things that are good to have:

1. Linkedin profile
2. Blog
3. Website
4. Title, Brand or Tag Line.

A few words of caution for the other category. Make sure blogs and websites are professional, and I would recommend staying away from polarized issues. Things like political statements may detract a potential hiring manager. Keep all pictures on these sites professional, always remember potential employers are looking at this. For titles, tag lines and brands, put some deep thought into these and keep them professional. You want these to provide people with a way to remember you and help you. More on that in future posts.

Now some recommendations on how and where to get the cards.

One great place to go is Vistaprint.com. They have great online tools and you can see what the card will look like on the screen. Tips for vistaprint:

1. Save the card and come back a day or so later. Often they will send you a discount code in a day or so.
2. Go to mypoints.com sign up at that site. They have some great deals with vistaprint which will help you save some money.

Another option is to go to places like OfficeMax or Staples. These places will often have on site stations and tools to help you. They may be a little more expensive but often times they have quicker turn times, some you can get the cards the same day. Ask about specials for the recently unemployed often the stores will have discounts.

Finally you can print at home. Be careful with this option. Make sure you have a good printer. Pay the extra money for the laser cut cards, you don’t want to buy the ones that have the push out look. You are trying to be professional handing our cards with crooked printing bleeding ink and perforated tags all around the edges, are not the way to go.

Hope this helps.

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