What I often see missing from business cards is a business description and/or a short list of services. There is nothing like exchanging a business card, setting it aside for a day or two and then looking at it again for reference and trying to remember what the business offers. How about those times you may be networking in a large group and people leave with a handful of cards, get back to the office, organize the stack just to realize that they remember the person that handed them the card, but cannot remember what services they offers.

A stylish logo, card layout and design may look great and really capture your business image. But if your services or products are not obvious, a great design could still leave you without follow ups and end up on the short stack for business potential.

I like the power of THREE. A short tagline or simple description with three products or services listed afterward. Your business card is your 30 second sales pitch all rolled up in a matte, glossy or heavy cardstock 3.5″ x 2″ mini billboard. When your new acquaintance walks away, you want them to remember exactly what your business has to offer and not leave them scratching their head later on.

Many sales techniques point out the importance of listing three values to a service or product, to simplify the presentation. Listing in threes is common in writing, speeches, and presentations. Why is that? The human brain likes the number three and the pattern it creates. The number three is amiable and easy to remember. It has a rhythm that rolls off our tongues and is easier to remember than a long string of words.

So when you are preparing to design, or maybe now redesign, your next business card, consider including a short tag line or description followed by three services or products you offer. Your new business acquaintances will appreciate it.