Here's My Card

Business cards are not just for business anymore.

Individuals now have a multitude of business cards. I currently have two – one is my corporate card, the other is for one of my personal passions: my role as speaker and Public Relations Officer for District 4 Toastmasters.

The idea originated when I saw many other Toastmasters hand out their company business cards – but before handing it out, they crossed out their business contact information and scribbled their Toastmasters e-mail and personal phone number onto the card. In addition to a misuse of company resources, I often have trouble reading the handwriting of the “correct” information!

Printing up a Toastmasters-specific business card is a form of “passive PR” that highlights your affiliation, and may just get that next guest to ask you about the organization.

If you want to print a card for you as a Toastmaster, consider the following:

• Keep it up-to-date. If you change your e-mail address or phone number or start a new blog – print a new card! If you receive a new Toastmasters educational level, such as an Advanced Communicator or become a Distinguished Toastmaster, update your card just as you would if you received a new title in your corporation.
• Add a portrait. If you have ever been to a conference, you will likely have stared at more than one card afterwards, wondering to whom that card belongs. If you include a portrait of yourself, that jogs the recipient’s memory! I recently changed my hairstyle – drastically – and immediately updated my card to reflect the new look!
• Respect the branding. Just as you should not change your corporate logo, do not change the Toastmasters branding. If you choose to use Toastmasters International branding, do not modify the logo. I chose to use the District 4 branding that represents our geographic location by highlighting San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Monterey – and when we rolled out the updated branding, I printed up new cards!
• Do not stretch photos. If you use photos for the back of your business card – such as the 3-photo series of the District 4 branding – the format of the photo does not match the size of a business card, do not stretch just the height or just the width. Instead, add a white border to match the dimensions of the card, but still keep the photo dimensions, or aspect ratio, intact.
• Keep it targeted. Just like a resume, a business card should be targeted. I’ve seen cards that tout the person as a speaker, author, photographer producer, host, coach and trainer. Well, which is it? As a photographer, I would print portfolio photos on the reverse side. As an author, I would highlight my publications. As a host or producer, mention the show(s). The “all things to all people” approach is out of style, for resumes as well as business cards, even in Toastmasters.
• Use business cards to promote your club or event. To promote your club as a whole, consider printing business cards just for your club, not for you individually. The “club card” should include your club name, meeting location, website, and meeting day/time. Distribute them to members, leave a stack of cards at local businesses for promotion, or hand them out to prospective members or guests.

I have made three updates to my Toastmasters business card this past year, using moo.com, to update my portrait and – admittedly, since I took the photos – the District 4 branding. I even keep my corporate and Toastmasters business cards in two separate business card holders to help keep me organized.

Above all, when it comes to using business cards as a PR tool – don’t pass up any opportunities to pass them out!