A Valentine’s Day Business Card

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our tenth Valentine’s Day. It so happens, I was also just in the middle of printing some new business cards with GreenerPrinter. Whether you are redoing your own business cards or trying to redeem yourself from a Valentine’s Day massacre, here’s an analogy between the two that can help.

First, a bit of history on business cards. A big thanks to YoutheDesigner.com, BrooklynMuseum.com and BuisnessCardsOnline.com for excellent info about business cards.

Business cards have been around for a long time. In China and Europe during the 15th and 17th centuries, they served as “calling cards” and a must-have in the social aristocracy’s etiquette handbook. If you called on someone and forgot to bring a card, good luck on getting invited in or asked to return. Since then, business cards have evolved. At their heart, they still serve as a way to introduce, signal business intentions and gain acceptance. Mr. Hassab, survivor of the Titanic, had one heck of an introduction.

So what can Cupid teach us about designing a business card?

Paula Szuchman, an editor for the Wall Street Journal, wrote a provocative article this Valentine’s Day titled The Secret to a Happy Marriage. Co-author of the book “Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage and Dirty Dishes”, she provided five tips for married couples looking to avoid the stereotypical holiday romance. I’m not a marriage expert. I’m 99.9% sure my wife agrees.

But we did agree the article had merit for both men and women and for designing great business cards. Here are the five tips and how they apply.

1. Talk Less
You don’t need phone numbers, e-mail addresses, twitter names, blog urls, QR codes, horoscope signs and smoke signals. Stick to one or two. As Paula says, “When information processing costs get too high, we tend to become paralyzed.”

2. Lose Weight
There are consequences to a lethargic business card. Get off the couch, take some risks and get rid of all that extra baggage weighing down your card.

3. Do the Dishes
In her book, Paula says each partner in a marriage should specialize on chores they are good at. Focus your card on what you are good at. Don’t waste time trying to create the sweetest looking design if you suck at it.

4. Put Out
Paula says “Keep things simple, fast and fun.” You’re going to have to give out a lot of business cards. Some introductions will be like fireworks. Others will wilt like a dozen roses. Keep at it and don’t forget to be spontaneous and change up your card every once in a while.

5. Scheme
Think strategically from your recipient’s view. What happens after you deliver your card? Will they fold a corner to mark that you stand out or write on it to take a note? 90% of business cards are thrown away in the first 24 hours. Make your “calling card” stand out or make them eco-friendly because they’ll likely end up in the trash like your wilting roses.

Here is what I came up with for my personal business card. Ignore the magenta die line. That’s the cut for the 3 inch x 3 inch circles.

My blog is about associating abstract analogies to everyday life. Hopefully, these associations provide some useful and entertaining takeaways. My business card tries to do the same, while still following Paula’s five rules. My next print run may include, “Shoot a tweet, or a dart, at me” and “Throw into air for U.F.O. sighting.” The first card is on 20 point kraft board. The second on 16 point white stock. Both use 100% recycled paper and soy & vegetable zero-VOC inks just in case they end up in the landfill.

What do you think? Would you accept my “calling card” or will they sink like the Titanic?