Ask HN: Business Card Feedback? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Business Card Feedback?

2 pointsbkman5 comments

Hi, what do you think of this business card design:

http://i.imgur.com/ERjWRfl.png

I put the words innovation, critical thinking, and optimization because they broadly describe what goes into everything I do. I don't have a specific job title, as I wear several hats. Do you have any suggestions?

(ignore the white border - that's from taking a screenshot)

I've asked a few people about this, and everyone dislikes or flat out hates the design, wording, and color scheme. What can I do to make it better?

View on HN

I think this: "I don't have a specific job title, as I wear several hats." is the crux of the problem.

Imagine a software product labeled "business software" because it's capable of running your whole business. SalesForce could do that, right? It's a database with profiles of the people critical to your business, document storage and workflows that accurately describe the processes that the business uses to get work done. Surely "business software" is a category with more potential customers, literally all businesses, than sales teams needing CRM software. So why does SalesForce verticalize in this way? Because no one is on the market for "business software" but lots of people are in the market, right here and now, to have a specific problem solved.

People don't pay undefined generalists. You need to pick a single thing that you do best, double down on that and convey a value proposition within that vertical.

Hey, thanks. You make a fair point. My trouble is that if I make a card focused specific on my work as a web developer, for example, then when I'm performing music and people ask for my card, they might get confused.

So, I could make a different card specifically for music. But then when I'm doing comedy, I'm going to run into the same problem. Or perhaps if I'm offering services as a licensed counselor, none of my clients want a web dev / entertainer card.

Seems like I'm stuck having to make 10 different cards and having them with me at all times.

As a mid-point solution, you could just have one card with your name and your contact info, no keywords needed. This is not your resume, after all.

But I'd go with three sets of cards (tech/entertainer/counselor), as I doubt the customers crosscut that much.

No problem.

I think probably_wrong's recommendation of one card with no keywords on it may be the best solution.

Yeah, he's probably_right.

Thanks

Reply on news.ycombinator.com