Your Business Card is Like a Blind Date

When someone gives me their business card it’s like a blind date.  First up is the first impression.  Hey Buddy, if you even want a chance at a second date, you better impress me.  I am going to judge you by your looks.  I can’t help it it’s the marketer in me.  Does he look like my type?  Does he look cheap or classy?  Does he look like it cares about presentation?  Does he say, “I’m successful, hang with me baby?”

I was thinking about this yesterday when I attended a networking event.  First card I meet appears to be a “home-made” white card with black lettering and a picture that was a little grainy.  This does not say successful to me.  Not only will there not be a second date, I climbed out the bathroom window first chance I got.

Next up was definitely a home-made card because I could see the perforations.  He is a white card, black lettering, and no picture.  On this blind date, I see him first and I sneak out the side door because this is absolutely not my type.  This card’s presentation said, I don’t have a job, and I will expect you to support me.

The next two prospects don’t even have cards…….NEXT

Ok, here’s one that might be a prospect.  It has everything I’m looking for:  name, email, phone number, cell number, website, and an address.  You don’t see that anymore, a card with an address.  There might be a spark here.  No, wait, that was just some indigestion.  The logo looks home-made, not classy at all.  I would at least let this card buy me a drink, but no second date.

Finally, I may have met the card of my dreams.  Professionally designed, expensive looking, UV coated on one side, but yet I can write on the back, …oooo, I got a little shiver… cool logo, office number, cell number, website, email, address, and I know what he does.  On my way out, I say to him, “here’s my card, you can call me for a second date.”