OK, time for a minor gripe.
I just got back from the COMMON conference in Reno and, as usual, I collected a fair number of business cards of the people I met.
Problem is: Some of the business cards are absolutely useless.
Some of the business cards are odd sized … either too short or to narrow … one is too wide. The cards that are too short fit in my card file … but since they aren’t as tall as the rest of the cards, it gets hidden by the other cards. The cards that are too wide don’t fit in my card file at all … and end up getting lost.
My biggest gripe, however, is cards that have printing or a dark color on the back. When I meet someone and need to take a note about something, I ask for their business card and write my notes on the back. That way I have the information I need to contact them, along with the notes. If the card has printing on the back or a dark color, there’s no place to write a note.
I know people try to make their business cards stand out so they are noticed … but make sure they are useful.
Of course, this is just my opinion.
My co-worker Adam sent me this link: http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardapult-the-Business-Card-Catapult
I agree that the back should allow you to write something. A “gloss” coating can also be a problem to taking notes on the card. However, the sizes don’t bother me, why would you ever keep a card… that’s what outlook is for. 🙂
I hope you aren’t speaking of the YiPs cards we put together for Reno. Unfortunately, I had a family emergency and had to cancel at the last minute, but I hope you all got a copy of those cards.
🙂
No, these were business cards of people that I needed to get back in contact with.
Agreed, cards should 1) always be standard size and B) always have writeable reverses. So let it be written, so let it be done!
For those that disagree with 1), I still have some cards that I carry in my wallet. Which I always have with me, unlike my Outlook/Palm/CrackBerry/etc.
Totally agree with being able to write on them. And as to carrying them vs sending a vcard via the mobile device…one should always have a few of your business cards handy, especially at conference.
Importing them into your PIM of choice (Palm Desktop/Lotus Notes/Crackberry/MS Outlook) comes later. Scanner of some sort able to deal with such things.
K.
David, iPhone + Evernote = Paper-free card file WITH notes
Keep an eye out for these: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/06/meatcards-print-your-business-cards-on-beef-jerky-with-a-frickin-laser-beam/
I’ve never been able to type into a PDA (especially my iPhone) with sufficient speed to be able to take notes. It’s far easier to take someones card and jot a few notes on the back.
Of course if Apple were to release a iPhone version with a built in card scanner … now maybe we’re talking 🙂
@David Gibbs
Have you ever handed someone your biz card just to have to ask for it back a minute later after you realize it’s one you’d used to make a note to yourself? Awkward.