Contextual Business Cards Tips

Contextual Business Cards Tips

In this age of electronic identification, paper stock business cards may seem a little passion, but they’re still the most common mode of contact exchange as far as I can see. I’ve been designing and printing my own Contextual Business Cards for years now, usually because I only need a handful at any given time. But it occurred to me that I was not taking full advantage of this habit when I was once handed a Contextual Business Cards with printing on both sides Contextual Business Cards. My new contact had merely thought to add a large logo on the back side, and I realized that this was real estate I had completely ignored by thinking too traditionally.

The face of the Contextual Business Cards is the default location for contact information, of course, so other than graphics, catch phrases or the like, what can the back be used for?

Contextual Business Cards Design

I’ve seen some place their photo on the back side Contextual Business Cards, and that’s a great idea. It adds to the connection between Contextual Business Cards presenter and recipient, and aids in recognition and recollection. But that can go a step further. When you hand out Contextual Business Cards at specific events, you want the new contact to leave with something that helps him remember where he met you and why he should care. Including content relevant to the event itself is the key. I’ve taken to adding text like “You met me at:” followed by graphics designed for the event. Such design elements are easy to find at the event website or, failing that, via a web search on relevant images. Here are examples of some I’ve done for Maemo and MeeGo activities as well as a visit to South by Southwest earlier this year:

Contextual Business Cards face

Contextual Business Cards back for South by Southwest 2011

Contextual Business Cards back for MeeGo Network DFW

Contextual Business Cards back for MeeGo Conference Spring 2011

When I first passed out cards like this, I was amazed at the response. The consensus has been unanimous: this is a useful addition to business cards handed out at such occasions.

Contextual Business Cards Suggestions

Charlene also advises using non-gloss Contextual Business Cards stock (at least on one side) so that the Contextual Business Cards make a good writing surface for notes. Including reasonable white space will help there, too. Cluttered Contextual Business Cards tend to be a no-go anyway.

And while printing contact info on unique form factors like drink coasters is a great attention-getter, I would only recommend going above the usual Contextual Business Cards sizes and shapes in very specific cases. You want your Contextual Business Cards to slide easily into pockets and of course card holders.