Businesses don’t just want to be businesses,
they want to be brands. Distinct, recognizable, unique, lovable brands. They
want to project an image that embodies the values of their company and the
value of their product. They want a voice that speaks to their customers, makes
them listen, and convinces them to act (by spending their money).
A business, however, isn’t the only thing that
can benefit from branding. You, as an individual, can be a brand too. Personal
branding will have the same benefits for you as it would for a company. Your
personal brand will clearly show who you are and what you have to offer. How do
you get your personal brand’s message out there? With the best self-advertising
tool you have in your possession at all times – your business card.
What is Your Personal Brand?
What is Your Personal Brand?
Before you can make your business card a clear
representation of your personal brand, you need to determine what your personal
brand really is. Ask yourself a few questions. What feeling do you want another
person to have about you? What attributes of yourself are most important for
them to recognize? Come up with a few strong adjectives and skills that
describe you. That list is the inspiration for your personal branding.
Everything that you do – way beyond designing your business card – should fall
in line with that list and portray that image.
Your Brand in a Business Card
Your Brand in a Business Card
Once you’ve defined your personal brand, how do
you convey it through your business card? A business card is a very small
thing, physically speaking, but it packs a very big punch. Your business card
will give off a strong impression about you, so you need to make sure it’s the
right one. You can play with many different features on your card to create the
look that best represents you: Texture, font type, font size, graphics or
photographs, colour, included information, and layout, among others. All of
these elements combined should represent you.
Making It All Work
You don’t need to be a designer to create a
business card that works with your personal brand. You can hire one if you
prefer, but it really comes down to your own taste. You can take a basic
business card template online and slowing tweak things to make it more “you.” If
you want to give off a professional vibe, start by choosing an
authoritative-looking font. If you want to give off a positive, cheerful vibe,
choose a bold colour. The possibilities are endless, but in the end, you should
be able to look at your business card and love it. It should give off the vibe
you want.
Standing Out from the Crowd
Finally, remember that your personal brand is
what is going to set you apart from everyone else. Try to include at least one
element in your business card that is unique or memorable. A powerful image or
a textured edge will make someone look twice at your card and remember
you.
NDUKWE IGWE KALU
@ndukweigweGCFR
Igwe Kalu is a Brand Management professional with Blue Opal
