How to make modern business cards

While prepping for a couple of upcoming in-person speaking events, I figured it was high time to get my act together. Dusting off my *grown-up* clothes and finding something that covers the area beyond the zoom meridian. And heading off to moo.com to print new business cards (and update my almost-decade-old handout).

When designing the new card, I used a few key tricks I’ve picked up over the years.

1. I’ve added a photo of myself to both sides. Often we’ll get someone’s card, throw it on a table, then have NO idea who it is 6 weeks later. Add your photo and make it yourself memorable! I used the same photo that’s currently on the front page of my website. I only made 200 cards, so when I update my site later, I’ll make a new set of cards.
2. I swapped the orientation of each side. I made my husband’s card the same way a few years back – and it always forces folks to spend an extra second to flip the card the right way. That little adjustment = more time spent looking at your card!
3. I added a QR code to link folks to my opt-in free page on my site. When they scan it, they can sign up and get on my newsletter list (you can try mine with your phone camera!)
4. Don’t try to cram a lot of copy on the card. Just a few key notes and maybe a phrase that makes people go “what’s this?” – remember, the goal is to get them to pay just a bit more attention to your card.

Pro design tips to make new business cards:

• Make your own QR codes at https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ or using Canva. I used to pooh-pooh QR codes – but after the last couple of years people finally “get” them. Plus you can use them anywhere to link to your stuff – like inside your powerpoint presentations and newsletters.
• You can almost always find a 20% discount off regular MOO cards (just google for promo codes) – and a batch of 200 cards cost me around $80.
• Give yourself at least a week or two to design and ship the cards (I ordered on a Monday and got them by Friday with a bit of a rush fee).
• You don’t have to put your phone number on there if you don’t want to! I prefer to hear from folks via email – so no phone number for me!
• With MOO cards you could change the back of each card to be something different – great if you want to show off different items in your portfolio or want to test out different copy ideas (you can see how I did this for Tamsen Webster’s square cards – done with her trademark old-timey illustrations).