Business cards are the first point of contact you have with potential clients. Thus, a well-designed business card will create a strong, professional impression and persuade clients to work with you.

For bigger real estate companies, your broker will provide you with business cards which adhere to an established company design. But, if you are not with a bigger real estate company, you have the responsibility to market yourself and design your own business cards.

What to include on business cards

At a minimum, you need to include the following on your business cards:

  • name;
  • identification as either a California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) broker or agent [See CalBRE Form RE 858];
  • CalBRE license number [Calif. Business and Professions Code §10140.6];
  • personal website URL;
  • email address;
  • phone number; and
  • logos, fonts, letterheads, etc. consistent with other marketing materials.

Optional things you may want to include on your business cards are:

  • a recent, professional photo;
  • your strengths, such as your neighborhood expertise or additional languages you speak;
  • a QR code, directing potential clients to your personal website or listings;
  • additional social media links; and
  • a catchy slogan or phrase.

Tips for designing business cards

Effective business cards are simple, classy and professional. You not only want to convey your information, but do it in an eye-catching way to stand out.

When designing your business cards, keep these tips in mind:

  • use high quality photos, logos and graphics;
  • avoid clutter — your message should be easily understood in a quick glance;
  • pick a legible font;
  • use heavyweight paper;
  • include some negative space to write notes; and
  • review your business cards for any typos or grammatical errors.

Current business card design trends include:

  • printing cards on different materials such as plastic;
  • vertical orientation instead of horizontal orientation;
  • using a different shape instead of the standard rectangle; and
  • minimalistic and simple designs with negative space that isn’t white.

Tools to help you design business cards

To ensure your business cards have the right look, you want to find a tool or designer to help you. These online resources will help you create business cards best suited to you and your brand:

  • Canva is a free design service where you may design your own business cards using templates and stock art;
  • use graphic design directories like Toptal, to search for a designer; and
  • visit local printing businesses if you’re more interested in getting physical proofs of the business card designs before you commit to printing them.

Electronic business cards

In addition to traditionally printed business cards, prepare electronic business cards. Electronic business cards give you the ability to:

  • send your contact information directly to potential clients’ phones or email;
  • quickly direct traffic to your personal website or other social media sites; and
  • receive and store contact information directly in your phone.

Many online and mobile apps allow you to create and send electronic business cards:

Setting up your electronic business cards is easy:

  • choose an electronic business card website or app;
  • upload your contact information; and
  • share your electronic business cards with others.

What do you think makes a business card memorable? Leave it in the comments or the first tuesday forum!