8 thoughts on bad business cards
Friday, February 16, 2007 - posted by hellomynameisscott at 7:35 AM
The other day I was sifting through about 1000 business cards I've collected over the years.I noticed a few things that frustrated me:
1. No email address. Come on. It's 2007. People aren't going to look online for your email, or worse yet, guess what your email is.
2. Mismatched email. You have a website, yet your email is mike233@aol.com. Where's the consistency? Furthermore, using AOL, Hotmail or Yahoo takes your level of professionalism down a few clicks.
3. Tiny print. I'm only 27 and my eyes hurt looking at some of these cards. Remember, there's two sides. S-P-A-C-E---I-T---O-U-T!
4. TMI. Too much information. (That's what websites are for!) Pick a few important things and keep it simple.
5. Folded cards. I understand the allure of folded cards: more surface area and it stands out in people's stacks. But I have to be honest, every time I get a folded card and it doesn't lay flat on my stack, I either throw it out or rip it in half. I dunno. Maybe it's just me.
6. Duh! One man who works in real estate has a little heart on his card that says, "I LOVE REFERRALS!" Well DUH! Who doesn't? And once again, maybe it's just me, but seeing that little icon makes me NOT want to give him referrals. Almost like he's desperate.
7. Ironic. I remember one card that was particularly unattractive: flimsy stock, bad colors and hard-to-read lettering. Take one guess what that woman's job was: graphic designer. Ouch.
8. Quote. One person's card had a quote from Oprah Winfrey. I don't remember what the quote was, and I also don't remember whose card it was. All I remember was Oprah. So my question is: WHY WOULD YOU QUOTE SOMEONE ELSE ON YOUR OWN BUSINESS CARD?!! If you have to quote someone, quote yourself!
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
What are your Bad Business Card pet peeves?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
Post your list here!
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That Guy with the Nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com
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Labels: really long lists, totally random stuff
Hi, Scott!
I know that it helps the card stand out, but I really hate it when the card exceeds that standard business card size. I store my cards in a three-ring binder using plastic card storage pages. Those that don't fit inside the slots in the page often end up lost or thrown out.
Scott, I use a rolodex to store my business cards, and there are two things that make it a hassle:
1. a card that is oriented vertically instead of horizontally (do I want to hand-write your name on the side of your card so I can find it when I'm flipping through the rolodex?), and
2. Sorry, but a two-sided card. If I staple it to my rolodex card, half of your info is gone!
I dislike cards that are so shiny that I can't write on them. They are really annoying when they are printed in this way on both sides.
I hate it when I get a card that's obviously printed out on a home computer. It costs very little to get a professionally printed card, even with full color. If you can't be bothered to do that, how professional are you, really?
I hate it when cards are boring. Let's face it, for the most part, work isn't fun - or else we wouldn't call it work. So, why not brighten some ones day by handing out a card that is fun...Yeah. That's what we all need...more fun - less stuffy.
Scott,
I hate business cards which are logo farms. By that I mean that they have more than one logo on them. Do I really need to see any secondary logos of groups that the business is associated with? Sometimes I get a card to crammed with logos I have to wonder if this is their only form of advertisement.
Scott, I dislike business cards that are on a 'fluffy' background such as flowers, hearts, animals, etc. Unless the person in the business that relates to those silly backgrounds, skip them! I agree with you and others: strongly dislike those 'home made' lightweight business cards.
www.dianeschuller.com
Hi Scott,
A mailing address is very important to have on a card. As a business etiquette speaker and trainer, I emphasize the importance of sending handwritten notes to contacts you meet as a great way to stand out from the crowd.
Having to call or e-mail someone in order to get their mailing address so you can send them a note can be rather awkward!
Business Cards...HOO-RAY, Business Cards.
http://www.ItsBusinessBaby.com
I hate when someone has to cross out an old phone number or email and write in a new one.
What drives me nuts is bad business card etiquette. I was at a luncheon yesterday and people were walking around just pushing their cards next to your plate and walking on. Excuse me? If we don't talk, and don't have a resource, lead or need from one another, don't push your card on me. Effective networking is not about he/she who gets or distributes the most cards.
ohh, ohh, ohh and then one lady gave me this card that had a big crown on it and called herself Queen [name removed to protect the ignorant], and her job title was just "furniture". Huh?
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