Business Cards: Style Or Function?

[Matt McGee]

There's an interesting article here titled "12 Reasons Why People Want to Keep Your Business Card". That article contains a link to this Flickr photoset of the most amazingly creative business cards I've ever seen:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypo...04389710/show/

As you'll see, some of those cards are incredibly memorable ... but almost non-functional. They'd never fit in your wallet, that's for sure. Some come in odd shapes. Some are not flat.

I thought it would make for an interesting discussion: Is it better to have an incredibly memorable business card, even at the expense of inconveniencing the person you give it to? Or should standard "form" always win out over creative style?

[Wilks_eye]

Matt, you're right, these are the most impressive set of business cards I have ever seen. They certainly cast a good impression on me, reflecting their company and nature of work.

However, I do find that some of them may be doing it too much. How about that one that looks like a price tag? If I don't take a closer look, it will be thrown in the bin right away.

I have to stand by form. A business card has to keep well and last till the moment it needs showing. If it gets mistaken as something else like a fold up paper car, my nephews are probably the ones who would see it, not me. Anyway, there are tons of ways of being creative in the standard wallet-size space.

[dndbrett]

I think it doesn't really matter. I mean if you give someone one of those incredibly memorable cards shown on that site it will defiantly be more memorable than a normal card but with that being said a business card itself presents a professional image that people will remember. In fact, business cards make as much of an impression as your personal appearance.

A fun fact about business cards is that they have been around since the 15 century in China. Since its been around for so long it just goes to show how important a business card is when it comes to be a marketing tool.

Also another fun fact is that the business card print industry in the United States is about a $1.2 billion industry and just a normal black and white card costs about 4 cents per card.

[PressureProsInc]

Some great business cards.. very innovative designs.. some make you smile just seeing them.

[zoobie]

The articles has some good points. I like those business cards - unique and creative.

[Si.mcmanus]

A cool but odd shaped card has great initial impact, but can be easily discarded when it doesn't easily fit in a pocket, card file or rolodex?

Better to be kept than discarded, you never know when the recipient will need you and if they look online to find you, then chances are you're just one of many

[Crimson Fox]

You can still make a card that is practical and creatively designed.

Just put a little thought into it. Business Cards are a fantastic form of advertising and should definitely be a list of things to buy for a new business.

[mktgbiz]

Bottom line, IMHO, is that all business cards make it to the same "pile" when the new recipient gets back to the office or their home. I'm not referring to the trash either, I'm referring to the business card file on the desk or in the desk drawer.

That's my 2 cents..........

[Crimson Fox]

I must be lucky to make it to the top then because other than referrals my biggest conversions come from people months after having a chance meeting with me and receiving my business card.

Now of course, it may just be my winning charm, lol

But without my business card they would never have my number to call me back.

[St0n3y]

Sometimes it's not how the card looks but what is on the card that matters. Every time I hand my card to someone I get the same comment. My title says that I'm "CEO and all around nice guy!" People like that.