Business cards are internationally considered as a means of introduction and information exchange but in many cultures they are also regarded as a representation of the individual. The basic etiquette rule is to present your card in your best manner in which you would present yourself.
The practice of using business cards is of recent origin. The gentry and colonists of the earlier centuries used visiting cards which were ornamented and carried the unique stamp of the aristocrat. As the entrepreneurial era dawned, more and more traders used trade cards to give addresses and maps to guide the customers to their shops because formal street numbering did not formed. The business card became a practical tool for small entrepreneurs to provide contact information.
Business cards serve several useful purposes. It creates a professional setting in which business can be discussed. It is a tangible reminder about the interaction with the person. By giving accurate details about the name, address, email and telephone numbers, it serves as the one-spot reference for contact. It is a practical tool for prospecting for leads, generating discussions and closing in on opportunities. It provides an indication about the professionalism and credibility of the businessman. Although today’s society does not subscribe to the social formalities of the bygone era, there still are some rules of etiquette while using business cards.
■What a Business Card Should Look Like
A proper business card should be professional, clear, and easy to read. It should not be cluttered and should have the standard fonts used in all business communication.
Your name, your title, your company and a brief tagline of what your company does should be included. It should say your post, or at least the service that you could be contacted for. An office phone number and email address are basic elements. You may also include your company mobile phone or fax number and website address if necessary. Your business card should reflect your company as well.