Let’s say you’re at a corporate event. This is your chance to introduce yourself. You interact with a lot of people and engage in conversations. Before you part ways with them you want to share your number. The old school way of doing this is by giving out your company card. It has your contact details, like your email, phone number, and more.
Now think of a virtual business meeting, where you’re talking to new people. By the end of it, you need to share your contact details. Now, since this is a virtual call, you can’t just give them a physical company card with a warm smile can you? This makes the situation awkward. Later, you think, “How could I have avoided this?” and the answer is digital company cards.
These cards make all your contact information accessible anywhere. There are no awkward pauses, no shuffling through wallets or bags. Just one click, and the other person knows just how to reach out to you.
Want to make your very own electronic business card? Here’s a detailed guide to help you.
Steps to Making an Impressive Electronic Business Card
If you haven’t designed a business card before, this can be a bit tricky. Follow these steps to make the design process easier.
- Start Smart, Not With Scratch
One feature of these cards is that you can customize the design. Instead of getting someone to create a layout for you, you can just do it yourself. Just pick a suitable template first. Go for one that suits your business image best.
Here are some tools you can use for this:
- HiHello
- Blinq
- Canva
You can change things around to your own liking. Make sure the template is easy enough to customize. Add your profile photo if necessary. If not, stick to the basics.
- Where To Find You
You’ve got the perfect template; now it’s time to do the real work, which is providing contact details. Here’s what you need to include:
| Information | What it does |
| Full name | Make people remember and recognize you |
| Title or role | Tell the reader what you do |
| Company name | Show your association with your organization |
| Email Address | The most common way for people to reach out to you |
| Phone number | Allow people to contact you immediately |
| Portfolio | Present your best works in one place |
- Make It Yours
Now this is the fun part. At this step, you can change the card’s elements, the colors, fonts, sizes, everything. Keep your visual identity in mind when create the layout.
- Fonts:
Choose a readable and professional font. Avoid using any informal ones like Comic Sans and Pacifico.
- Colors:
Align the color scheme to match your brand image. Use contrast to make the text stand out.
- Free Space:
Much like physical cards, you can’t overcrowd the appearance with too much text or other elements. Leave enough white space so it’s easy to read.
- Logo or image:
Place them somewhere they can be seen easily without overwhelming the overall appearance.
- Optimize It
Most people use their mobile devices to access information. The same goes for sharing contact details. So your card needs to be compatible with different devices. Here’s how you can do it:
- Make the text readable for small screens.
- Provide the phone number in a “click to call” format.
- Make sure it loads quickly.
- Hand It Out (digitally)
You’ve got your electronic company card. Once you hit the “save” button, you’re done with half the work. Now comes the important question: “How do you share these digitally?” Here’s how:
- QR code:
This is the most common way of sharing. In case you’re networking in person, just show a QR code for your card on your device. Add it to your physical card to make people land straight on your electronic business card.
- Pro Tip: Ask your company profile maker to add this QR code to the soft copy of your document. This will make it easier for the readers to get your contact details.
- Email Signature:
Add your saved card to your email signature. All the receiver has to do is click on it to see your card. It’ll turn your emails into a networking tool. This shareability has made it a popular choice for brands.
- 37% of companies have start using company cards instead of the tradition ones.
- Linking:
Add your card’s link or QR code to your website or portfolio. Anyone who wants your personal details will be just one click away from getting them. You can also share it through social media posts and even text messages on different platforms.
- Pro tip: Test your sharing methods on different devices to see how the card looks. Make sure it is compatible with various screen sizes and loads quickly.
Why E-Business Cards Matter
You might be wondering why these cards are even needed. Do you remember the last time you got a physical card? Did you keep it or lose it? You probably forgot where you put it and never found it again.
Paper cards can tear, get stained, and be misplaced. It gets frustrating when you’re looking for a specific one and can’t find it amongst many others. Virtual cards make this much easier. Here’s why they’re better than traditional ones.
- Quick Sharing:
All you have to do is share your card’s QR or link. Your contact information is only one scan or click away.
- Customization:
Physical cards can’t be changed once they’re printed. You can change your electronic ones anytime you want.
- Easy On The Pocket:
Digital cards save the cost of printing physical ones. They also help the environment by reducing waste.
What’s next?
If you’re thinking your job is done after you hit the “save” button, you’re mistaken. You need to keep updating your card. Time passes, and so does your personal information. So, make changes whenever there are new details that you want to provide.
- A recent survey found that updated digital company cards improve chances of follow-ups by 60%.
An outdated card, just like an outdated business plan won’t do a good job at creating a professional image for you.
People Also Ask
- Can digital cards contain more information than traditional ones?
Yes! They’re much more convenient to use than physical ones. You can add links, portfolios, and your social media profiles to the design.
- What formats can I save my card in?
They are usually shared through URLs, QR codes, or .vcf files. Besides that, some platforms let you save it as an image or PDF, too.
- Can I convert my card to a physical one?
Yes! Some platforms provide the option of saving cards as PDFs that you can download and print. In this way, you can use one design for networking both virtually and physically.
Wrapping Up
In today’s world, where everyone is always aiming for speed, networking effortlessly has become important. Save yourself from the awkward moments of searching your wallet or bag for your card. Use an electronic business card to access and share your contact information with just one tap.
Whether you’re in a virtual meeting or a physical event, these cards make networking easier. So, now that you know how to design your own card, go ahead and make every connection count.