What information goes on business cards and should be included in an email signature?

You’d be surprised, but there are fewer “rules” than you’d expect.

Instead, let’s approach the content of business cards and email signatures from your audience’s perspective.

Business Cards

Where are you handing out your cards? And what is the purpose?

Many professionals use a business card as a calling card, that is they hand it out as a fancy way to give someone their email and phone number.

Other’s may include a promotion link or QR code on their business card.

What information do people generally need to follow up with you?

Options on a business card:

• Business name
• Tagline
• Your name
• Your pronouns
• Title
• Certifications, degrees, endorsements
• What you do, the services you offer
• Business logo
• A photo of you
• Phone number
• Email address
• Website
• Physical address
• QR code
• A reason to contact, for example, a promotion or discount
• Space to write in an appointment time
• Social media handles
• Industry-required info (some industries regulate marketing materials including business cards, check with a compliance expert to make sure you’re covered)

A few things:

If you only like to be emailed, only offer your email. Could some people be turned off because they are phone people? Yeah. And that’s OK.

Pronouns are an important addition to how folks should be addressed. Names matter, pronouns matter, and assuming gender identity needs to stop, so even if you are cisgender, offering your pronouns sends the message that you recognize others don’t associate with the gender assignment given at birth.

Email Signature

I love a great email signature!

Here’s a resource for getting a fancy one by Hubspot.

Again, with an audience in mind, who do you email, and what would be valuable information at the bottom of an email from you?

Options for an Email Signature

• Business name
• Tagline
• Your name
• Your pronouns
• Title
• Certifications, degrees, endorsements
• What you do, the services you offer
• Business logo
• A photo of you
• Phone number
• Email address
• Website
• Physical address
• Your location and timezone
• Link to a promotion or service
• Social media links
• Industry-required info (some industries regulate marketing materials including business cards, check with a compliance expert to make sure you’re covered)

Here is an example of my email signature: