Pictures might be worth a thousand words...but no one ever said
they would automatically be worth a thousand dollars.
Figuring out whether or not to include your picture in your next
business card is one of those key decisions you don't want to be
taking lightly. It's one no entrepreneur can afford to ignore.
Of course, knowing where and how your business card will be
distributed and received will be a big factor in your final
decision. If your plan is to plaster your business card on every
coffee shop bulleting board in a 20-mile radius, a little face
recognition couldn't hurt. Or could it?
The fact of the matter is that photos - much like flashy logos
and other graphics - will influence how people respond to your
business card and, consequently, how successful you will be in
getting their business. So before you decide to get your hair
done for the money shot, here are a few advantages and
disadvantages to consider:
1. Photos build trust, which may explain why they most often
appear on business cards in the real estate, counseling and
public speaking professions. If you're working in a field where
trust and confidentiality reign supreme, a photo can be a great
way for clients to become acquainted with you.
2. Photos foster name/face recognition. Sending a picture
business card to a new client you contacted by phone or through
e-mail can actually facilitate your first person-to-person
encounter. It can also help identify entrepreuneurs with unisex
names, such as Chris or Joey.
3. Photos almost always lead to pre-judgments. Given that its
human nature to judge other people based on appearance, you
should keep in mind that your gender, skin colour, age, outfit
and even facial expressions might suddenly become the deciding
factor in whether or not you will get a call-back.
4. Photos can date and even outdate you. A few wrinkles or a
blast-from-the-past haircut can be enough to convince a
prospective client that you aren't the cutting-edge entrepreneur
you claim to be. An old photo on a business card can even be
interpreted as lack of demand for your business in general.
It's also important to remember that photography doesn't come
cheap.
That means if you are dead set on having your picture on a
business card, make sure you don't cut any corners. A low
quality photograph can ruin your business card - not matter how
cute you thought you looked in the picture.
About the author:
Copyright 2006, Businesscards4me.com. All Rights Reserved Mark
Knerr is a graphic designer specializing in company logo design
and business card design services. He also offers professional,
full color postcard, plastic cards and business card printing.
http://www.businesscards4me.com
