The Business of Software

I am selling a B2B product, and we happen to attend a couple of tradeshow every year. I am considering updating the design of our business cards, and in particular one idea crossed my mind: what about including a picture on the card?

Indeed, whenever I attend B2B events, I typically hand over about 20/50 cards per day, and receive an equal amount of cards. Later on, it's extremely difficult to remember anything specific about each person. Yet, if the person happen to have a webpage with an ID picture, it's WAY easier (at least for me) to recall what we discussed about.

On the other hand, ID on card is "not the standard". My company is definitively "not the standard" either, but I would like to be sure it will not hurt (might be perceived as "freaky", not sure).

What do you think?

I have one. It took a while to make a picture that I was comfortable with, though. It probably helps if you go to a professional photographer; my girlfriend took mine in our kitchen with a compact camera (in front of a white wall, no stacks of dishes in the background :) ) Still the result is quite OK, and doesn't look 'forced' or 'snobby' (I was afraid that if I'd get a too model-like looking picture I'd be dismissed as a poser or a slick sales type with gelled hair, which is a no-go in my line of business).

My picture is quite casual, not wearing a suit/tie, just business casual. Responses are mostly of surprise, not disapproval, in a positive way I'd say (I agree with anyone saying that I'm probably suffering confirmation bias). People do really look at the picture on these cards when I give them, which is quite strange in a way considering that the live version (me) is right in front of them at the time.

I hesitated a lot before making these, in the end I think I made the right decision. It's like you say, people get so many cards that it's almost impossible to be able to match faces with names. I have a stack on my desk that I know I will toss out in a few months because I won't remember who they were. The picture makes the connection so much more personal. A couple of weeks ago I found out that one of my business partners has pictures on their business cards as well, the guy I was talking to at the time had good experiences with it too.

Also I believe you're in Europe, right? I am too, I have the impression that it's even more uncommon here to have a picture than in the US, although I don't get many business cards from Americans so my sample is too small to really say anything significant. Still, it does make you stand out even more here.

Everything the OP said regarding pics is spot on and done correctly.

I would recommend a shirt and tie, though not the jacket.

Important tip - smile! :o)

It's amazing how many people seem to feel they need to look macho and broody or something. Don't.

Pics certainly do work, for the reason already mentioned, which is people forget who gave them the card. On the same topic, if you ever write your phone number for someone, include your name and what you do/offer with it, else they'll forget in less than 48 hours.

I also like to recommend clients use cards just a little bit too big to fit into conventional card holders. Once you're filed you're forgotten, so don't get filed.

"What if they need me in 6 months time?" I hear you ask.

Tip 2 - your biz card is a sales device, treat it like one. They're so cheap there is no excuse for not having a time-limited special offer on the card. Likewise your card can be a coupon - 'The bearer of this card gets 20% off, until the end of May 2010' kind of thing.

If you do a lot of contacting in person with cards, get 2 phone numbers. Then you can give someone your card, then take it back and write your "personal" number on it - because the person you're talking to is special, right?

(Also acts as a great way of tracking where your leads are coming from)

For most, thinking of a name then getting business cards is the first step in starting their business. Then the cards get forgotten. Sure, standard cards are better than being caught without but really there's no reason or excuse not to make the most of them.

Get creative!



AC

I never thought of putting my picture on my business card ... that's an interesting idea.

<humor>
You could hire this guy to design your business card:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk

if you have 25 years to wait ...
</humor>

Normally, I would think a picture on a business card would not be a good idea.  Your appearance is not what's important, it's your name, your business, and your contact information.  Personally, when I get a business card I write on the back of it what we were talking about, if I really want to follow up with the person and it's not obvious from the front of the card what their business is.

Having said that, if you're advertising some product and think it will help, go for it.  But in a professional environment I would think a picture would not be very professional.

"What do you think?"

I think your analysis - that it would make it easier to remember you - makes sense.

Realtors around here typically have their photo on their business cards. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not, but at least you wouldn't be any freakier than a typical Realtor :)

Realtors are sleazy middlemen who only survive due to a protectionist racket. I say this thinking about the realtor I use, and remembering his card and using it as a dart board. And he made me money.

At Kodak, when I worked there a million years ago, all business cards had your picture on them.  So it is not just realtors.

Thank a lot to you all (especially Joske for his insightful story). I am definitively going to try. It feels like a "latent" good idea that has been around forever, but with very few companies taking any initiative on this item.

I will try to remember making a follow-up on BoS a few months from now.

AllanL5: "But in a professional environment I would think a picture would not be very professional."

I strongly disagree.  I like the connection.  Using different elements of graphic design makes for a more appealing image.

What would be unprofessional about it?  What professional standard does it fail to meet?

(Too often, "unprofessional" is a code word for something the labeller does not like.  "rude" gets similarly misused.)

Sincerely,

Gene Wircheno

I've added my picture to the back of my consulting business card. It is just to help people connect card with person - humans are hardwired to remember faces. I did worry that it seemed a bit vain though. ;0)