Are personal business cards a good idea?

You've probably had a company business card at one job or another, but do you carry a personal one?

Because the thing is, if you're currently job searching, hoping to start a side hustle or land some freelance, or you'd just like to keep your options open, your regular company card isn't going to cut it. That tiny, unassuming personal business card just might be what stands between you and your next big career opportunity. 

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Why You Need a Personal Business Card

Smart women make their own luck (and business cards). When I decided I wanted to leave my last job, I knew it was time to start putting myself out there (and networking any chance I got). I had business cards through my company. They were like most company cards: white, square, and bland. I didn't want to be seen with them.

One night, after a motivating happy hour dialogue, I came home feeling like I needed to do something. I wanted proof that I was ready to start a new chapter. A requisite Google search for "personal business card design" led me to MOO , an online service that lets you create and print cards online (courtesy of plenty of well-designed templates). I'm sure there are other companies out there that will do the same, but so far MOO is the best one I've found.

I spent the next hour designing my ideal layout. It was a card on my own terms, according to my own rules based on my career transition goals . A week later, the package arrived, and my career hasn't looked the same since. Here's how a personal business card changes the game:

1. It Helps You Control Your Own Story

In a few simple words, I summarized who I was professionally, but also who I wanted to become. Each card gave all the information people needed to find me online, including a link to my portfolio but also my Instagram, which I knew demonstrated my aesthetic and voice.

2. It Makes It Easy for People to Remember—And Hire—You

In simple terms, those cards made it easier for people to hire me. They didn't have to "just remember" my last name the next day or go digging through search results to find my portfolio. And so they did hire me. Just like that, I hit a new level of legitimacy—and I started getting calls. 

3. It Gives You Confidence (Seriously) 

Personal business cards serve a specific need: they help you summarize who you are to a potential contact. But they also make your professional life feel real, even if you're currently faking it until you make it. And that's the heart of it: even though I felt like my career had hit a dead end, ordering those cards made me feel like I'd done something about it, and that I was gonna be OK.

What to Include on a Personal Business Card

1. Your Name—The One You Want Them to Google

Your full name or, more specifically, the one you use professionally. "Kit" isn't my given name (I'll leave you the fun of guessing what it is), but it is the name I've published writing under since I was 15. And it's the name I want people to search for on Google when they're looking into my experience because that's where all the good stuff is. 

2. What You Do or Want to Do 

Maybe you're slaving away as an administrative assistant but your ultimate goal is to become a graphic designer. Your personal business card should not read "administrative assistant." That isn't who you are! That's just what you're doing right now.  Think about what you'd like to call yourself. "Designer"? "UX Design + Web Design"? If you're not sure, look up people you admire on LinkedIn and do some research on the ways they describe their work and themselves. 

3. Your Personal Portfolio Site 

4. Phone Number (Preferably Your Cell Phone) And/Or Personal Email Address

You want people to be able to reach you quickly and easily, so a personal business card should include at least two options for contacting you. And make sure that whatever email address you include, you're checking it regularly and often. If you're thinking about freelancing, you need to get used to quick replies. I always answer within 24 hours. You can choose to skip the phone number,  but honestly, whenever I've seen people doing that, they wind up having to jot their phone numbers down in pen on the card anyway. My recommendation is to skip the hassle and include it. 

5. Social Handles As Applicable 

Unless your industry skews toward keeping these things private, you're may want to include your LinkedIn, Twitter, and/or Instagram depending on what you'd like to show off. If you're a wordsmith, Twitter makes sense. If you're trying to show that you have a particular style and eye for design, you might include Instagram. It varies because personal business cards are just that—personal. Think about your end goal and decide what makes the most sense. 

6. (Optional) A Personal Logo 

If your personal brand is on lock, you might have a logo on your personal website, that you can include on your business card as well. If so, great. A consistent brand is great. If not, don't sweat it. Simple is always best anyway. 

What Not to Include on a Personal Business Card

Just a few pointers here because sometimes people overdo it: 

• Too much design—the goal is for them to focus on your information, not on the graphics
• Your mailing address—danger zone. Do you really want that floating around in the world? It also takes up too much space so it's a lose-lose. 
• Typos—On multiple occasions, I've encountered a personal business card that has a typo, even in the email address. That's a big problem if you want people to contact you. So double- and triple-check before hitting "Purchase'
• A QR code—No one uses these anymore, but somehow they still crop up. Just don't. People are savvy enough to type in your personal website URL on their own. 

The Simplest Personal Business Card Template

If you're not sure where to start, this layout is a no-fail option. Simple, right? 

Kit Warchol

Writing + Editing | Digital + Brand Strategy

[Phone Number]

25 Ways to Use Your Personal Business Card

Just to drive the point home, here are some other times carrying cards can actually work out for you:

1. At any networking event ever.
2. When you’ve got a side hustle going and you’re your own marketing department.
3. Or you've got several side hustles going, and you don't have cards for each of them.
4. You’re at a Girls Night Out and you meet a woman you’d like to know better.
5. Time to mail a package from your Etsy store? Drop it in the box with your “Thank You” note.
6. You hate your current job, and you’re trying to find a new one.
7. Or maybe your current job title doesn’t match what you want to do. Like, at all.
8. You want people to visit your personal site because it looks so good.
9. You’re at an interview, meet yet another person, and—realize you’ve run out of copies of your resume.   
10. You’re like ‘This dude’s cute,’ but you’re afraid he might not be interested, or you’re just afraid to ask him to coffee. Keep it pseudo-profesh.
11. You know no one spells your last name correctly ever. Just hand it to them.
12. At a dinner party when you’re trying to explain to the person next to you WTF you actually do.
13. You’re hesitating on when to launch your entrepreneurial venture. You’ll never be completely “ready.” Business cards make it official.
14. Are you a designer or branding professional? Your business card is a tangible example of your aesthetic and skills.
15. If your company name or website address is hard to remember.
16. To drop into the fishbowl at your neighborhood Thai restaurant for a free lunch entry.
17. There’s something in your teeth, but you don’t have floss. Card corners work wonders.
18. When you’re somewhere loud and the person you meet can’t hear what your name is.
19. When someone else gives you theirs. It’s weird to not respond in kind.
20. When you’re traveling. Slip it into your baggage tag.
21. When you don’t want to give someone your number. A card with just an email address is a stealth cop out.
22. When your coworker isn’t at her desk and you want her to know you’ve stopped by. Calling card.
23. When you’re looking at a chair at a yard sale, and they won’t go as low as you want. Ask them to email you if they change their mind.
24. At Sephora, when the clerk asks for the email address on your account.
25. When you just need something to write on.

A lot has changed in our tech-driven modern society. Email has replaced postal mail, smartphones have replaced landlines — even face-to-face meetings are now being held on virtual conferencing platforms.

In light of all this, one might be led to assume that old-fashioned paper business cards are a thing of the past. That assumption, however, is far from the truth.

In fact, the hyper-digitalization of our world has made tangible mediums — like business cards — stand out even more. For example, think of how much more meaningful a handwritten letter has become.

But, when we think of business cards, we generally envision a company card that’s issued to you by your employer. However, there’s a second type that can be highly advantageous to your career: personal business cards.

In this article, we’ll be exploring:

• Who needs a personal business card
• The benefits of having a personal business card
• What to include on your personal business card
• The best places to design/print your personal business cards
• An effective strategy to get your personal business cards in the right hands

Let’s dive in…

Who Needs Personal Business Cards?

As a rule of thumb, if you’re wondering whether or not you need a personal business card, there’s a good chance you do. After all, there can be plenty to gain from having one and nothing to lose.

That being said, there are certain circumstances in which personal business cards are particularly applicable:

• You’re seeking a new job (or are open to new opportunities)
• You have a side-hustle or do freelance work (or would like to)
• You’d like to expand your network and build your personal brand (more on this to come)

To illustrate why you’d want to have a personal business card in these scenarios, let’s review some potential benefits…

Benefits Of Having A Personal Business Card

Personal business cards can be categorized within the broader realm of personal branding. As was alluded to in the introduction, personal branding in the digital era largely comes down to building a strong online presence. However, personal branding is not limited to online channels — and business cards are one of the most powerful ‘offline’ branding tools you can utilize.

At its core, the main advantage of personal branding is that it positively shapes how others perceive you. Subsequently, the same advantage applies to personal business cards.

Here are 4 ways in which having a personal business card will give you an edge:

Your networking interactions will be more impactful. Suppose you’re at a networking event and you’re wrapping up a compelling conversation with someone. In parting, you hand them a sleek, stylish personal business card and tell them you’d like to stay in touch. Now, that’s ending on a good note!

You’ll exude professionalism. Whether you’re networking or interviewing for a job, small details can go a long way. Handing someone your personal business card is a simple gesture, but it elevates the overall impression you leave and frames you as a sharp individual who takes their career seriously.

You’ll always be ready to capitalize on opportunities. Sometimes pivotal networking opportunities happen when we least expect them. Picture this: you just struck up an interesting conversation on the morning train. Ten minutes in, you realize you’re talking to a VP at Google…and they’re getting off at the next stop! Fortunately, you’re able to slip them your personal business card in the nick of time.

You’ll strengthen your personal brand. As mentioned above, in addition to the convenience of having your contact info on hand, business cards can play an integral role in your personal branding efforts. Everything, from the aesthetic of the card to the information included (more on that below), will help tie your personal brand together into a cohesive whole.

*To learn more about personal branding, check out my article, How to Build a Personal Brand to Advance Your Career.

What To Include On Your Personal Business Card

It goes without saying that your business card should look slick. And, obviously, you’ll need to include your name and contact information — but there’s more to it than that.

Here are the top components that make up a stellar personal business card:

1. Name – should match the name you use on your LinkedIn profile.
2. Contact Info – your preferred personal phone number and email address.
3. Title – this can be a self-given title that reflects your expertise and/or mission.
4. Photo – use a high-res professional headshot.
5. Personal Website – if you don’t have one, you should strongly consider creating one.
6. Social Media Profiles – specifically your LinkedIn URL (and other social media handles if they’re part of your personal brand).

Optional Additions

• Custom Logo – try to avoid generic shapes (a monogram would be better).
• Brief Value Proposition – keep it short and sweet — you don’t want to overload the card.

We’ve explored the benefits and outlined the elements you should include on your personal business card. Now, let’s talk about how to bring your card to life!

Best Places To Design And Print Business Cards

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to creating personal business cards. Numerous online companies have streamlined the process, allowing you to easily design, print, and ship your cards to your doorstep.

Here are the top 3 I’d recommend:

Vistaprint – the leading player in the space, Vistaprint has cemented its position as the go-to option for custom printing needs. They offer a wide assortment of paper types, design templates, and you can even choose to work with a professional designer for only $10.

Canva – this company made a huge splash in the graphic design world with its versatile, drag-and-drop platform that makes custom designing a breeze. Like Vistaprint, Canva also offers an extensive array of templates, shapes, and finishes — all of which come with free shipping.

MOO – a newcomer in the online printing space, MOO stands out for its unique, high-quality materials and stunning finish options. For example, they have cotton business cards made from recycled T-shirt offcuts (great for eco-conscious folks) and raised gold/silver foil finishes for a truly luxurious feel.

Getting Your Business Card In The Right Hands

Personal business cards are an essential item to have if you’re interested in growing your network and building your personal brand. But, no matter how good your business card looks, it won’t do you much good if you’re not putting yourself out there and actively networking with other professionals.

In addition to networking events, industry conferences, and trade shows, I highly recommend using informational interviews to set up 1-on-1 meetings with influential people in your field (or a field you’re interested in). So, what is an informational interview? I’m glad you asked!

In a nutshell, an informational interview is a meeting in which you (the interviewer) are granted the opportunity to learn more about your interviewee’s job role, industry, and current projects/challenges. Generally speaking, you should request informational interviews with people who: a) work for companies you admire b) work in roles you’d like to pursue or c) ideally, a combination of both!

For example, if you’re pursuing a career in marketing and your dream job is working for Google, then your prime ‘informational interview targets’ will be marketing managers (or above) at Google. That being said, it can still be beneficial to hold informational interviews with other marketing pros as well. Doing so will not only provide you with career insights but also serve as a highly valuable networking opportunity — so get those personal business cards ready!

How To Land An Informational Interview

Wondering how to land a high-value informational interview? Here are 4 steps to get started:

Head over to LinkedIn to scout for potential targets. Returning to our Google example, you can use the LinkedIn search bar to find Marketing Managers at Google (i.e. prime interview targets). You can also expand your search to other companies or narrow your search by honing in on more specific roles (e.g. Product Marketing Manager).

Determine their contact information. Use Mailscoop.io to find the corporate email convention (e.g. [email protected]). Then, verify the address using Mailtester.

Perform some research on the individual. Scan Google, Youtube, and social media (particularly LinkedIn and Twitter) to learn more about the person before reaching out. What was their previous role? Have they written any blog posts or LinkedIn articles? Have they shared any interesting perspectives on social media recently?

Send a personalized outreach email. Using the info you’ve gathered above, craft a thoughtful email that references something that stood out to you during your research process. Then, ask them if they’d be willing to have a quick call/meeting so you can learn more about their current role.

For a more detailed breakdown of informational interviews, check out my article, The 10 Best Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview. And, to take your professional networking efforts to the next level, don’t miss my ultimate guide on How To Get A Job Anywhere Without Applying Online!