Hey everyone, today I am proud to bring you
this guest post on branding by Ndukwe Igwe Kalu, it is really good, please
Read. Learn. Apply
Your Business card as a Personal Branding Tool
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).
Your Personal Brand
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?
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
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, color, 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 color. 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 is a
personal branding coach. He provides training for corporate and individual brands
and also provides branding, printing and design services for clients who want
to produce fliers, newsletters, brochures, souvenirs, car branding, t-shirts,
mugs, face caps, banners and branding materials of all types.
Follow him on twitter @ndukweigweGCFR or facebook www.facebook.com/ndukwegcfr and his website www.geniusduke.com.
Follow him on twitter @ndukweigweGCFR or facebook www.facebook.com/ndukwegcfr and his website www.geniusduke.com.
