Branding Yourself Through Business Cards

This weekend is the Public Relations Student Society of America’s National Conference. Thousands of PR students and professionals will meet in Washington D.C. to develop their skills through workshops, presentations, and networking. Meeting others, especially in a large setting, can be overwhelming, but networking in the industry is necessary for your future success. In preparation for National Conference, I designed personalized business cards to help me network with others and stand out among the crowd. Business cards start a conversation. When designing your own cards, you may want to consider the following:

What kind of customer are you trying to attract?  Whether your business cards are for your company or for your personal brand, think about your audience and what you want to highlight about yourself.

Be visual. People are more likely to remember you through pictures, colors, and designs. Original pictures are always better than clip art. If you have a background in graphic design or art, put your own artwork on the back of your cards. It is a great way to show off your portfolio by giving them a piece of your work.

Inspire curiosity. Stand out by showing people you are unique. Give them a reason to contact you. I have seen people design business cards that are not cards at all. Some have made business cards out of plastic, wood, or cloth. Others have made foldable or pop-up cards, as well as personalized coins. It is up to you to decide what makes you different from the rest and what kind of impression you want to leave people with.

Where do you engage the most? Your home address takes up a lot of space. Think about the best way for others to contact you. If you primarily use email, then put your email address. If you want others to engage with you on social media, add your Twitter and Instagram handles. Provide people with the contact information you use the most.

Use a Quick Response code. QR codes are barcodes that your smartphone and other machines can scan. They redirect others to a link of your choice. Maybe you want to use a QR code to link your business card with your LinkedIn profile or personal blog. QR codes can help you share more information about yourself without taking up a lot of space.

To stand out, you do not need to be extravagant. One way I made my business cards unique was by using a non-traditional shape; my cards are square. Whether you are going to a conference or networking event, or simply want business cards for everyday use, these tips will help guide you in the right direction. How will you stand out through your business cards?

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Megan Healy. 

5 Truths About the Brand of "ME"

There is no denying it, we are each our own individual brand. We may not be completely conscious of this, but it is indeed true. We have all of the components of corporate brands and then some. If a brand is what people are saying about you when you aren't around, the brand of "Me" is the reaction that people have about you once you leave the room. It is the image that you display to your friends, professional networks, and to yourself on a daily basis. 

Thanks to technology, it is extremely easy for us to reach and impact our audiences, even if we don't intend to. Whether it be through hundreds of Twitter followers, Facebook friends, or likes on Instagram, we do things every day that add to other's image and perception of the brand of "me."

5 things can almost always be determined by the story being told via your "Me" brand:

1. Your Vision - What is your vision for yourself? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? The next ten? Do you project longevity, or do you come off as flighty? Are you working for the greater good, or for your own self gain? All of these questions can be answered when looking at your "Me" brand.

2. Your Mission - Why do you do the things that you're doing? Are you applying for an internship because you want to learn and grow from the experience? Do you take extra time out of your week to mentor or help other students find their way. All of these things speak volumes to who you are and what you stand for. The same way that companies have mission statements, you should create one for yourself as well!

3. Your Image - How are you portraying yourself to others? I'm talking physically and virtually here. Do you take pride in your appearance, showing up to interviews and networking events dressed appropriately? And on social media, are you putting your best tweet forward? All of these things add up to be the image that people have of you. You always want to make sure that your brand of "Me" is creating the best possible image of who you are.

4. Your Values - Your values are the things that are important to you that define the ways you work and live. The values that you showcase on a daily basis help people determine if they want to work with you, hire you or even be around you in general. The values that you display to the world everyday matter more than you may think.

5. Your Outcomes - Finally, where do you want to end up? No matter if it is an internship, future job or even the city you want to move to after graduation, the story told by your "Me" brand can help or hinder your success. 

So consider this: what is your "Me" brand saying about who you are and what you do?