Hi there,

I’m designing business cards for my small business and am unsure how to include social media. I’d love some feedback on a few things.

First, would you include just an icon to show you’re active on a social media platform, or would you include your full profile address?

Second, would you include all of the social media platforms in which you’re involved, or would you prioritize a few? Including them all begins to get a bit much.

Third, do you think the social media you include depends on the industry in which you work? For example, as a web developer, I have a Pinterest Business account with boards related to web design & social media.

Thanks in advance for your perspectives.

Cheers!

Jon

Hi @whitbeckweb —

I assume you mean printed cards to hand out. 

I have a few of the websites on the face of the card along with my name, phone number, and email.  Social media links on the back – small icons across the bottom of the front. I have a small logo on the front too.

The icons were designed to match the colors of the card – although each one adds a little extra color. FB, G+, Twitter, LinkedIN, Ryze and Pinterest are the ones I included. 

Eileen  

Hi there,

Thanks for the suggestions and advice!

@mholandez, It definitely is important to show an understanding of the importance of social media. So, it sounds like you guys decided to share your profile URLs. Good plan, I think. I still haven’t embraced G+, but hope to in the new year. 

@supereb, Your cards sound like they were thoughtfully designed. Very nice! I too created icons to tie in with the aesthetic of my logo & branding.

@dcoville001, I love the idea of a QR code. Hadn’t even occurred to me. Do you have any sort of promo or measurement tool with the code? How did you develop it?

Thanks again,

Jon

@rachelagheyisi, BIG thanks for the QR advice! I will definitely check out the simple one, then look further.

It seems if I’m going to include one on my business card, I want some sort of token reward for those who use it, and some way to measure response.

Cheers!

Jon

@whitbeckweb I have Twitter and LinkedIn only on my business cards (The Marketing Curator). My work work ones don’t have any social media sites listed. 

Card space is at a premium so I would only list your top (most active) accounts and, as you mentioned, that are appropriate for your industry/customers.

I’ve seen QR codes but not a big fan. Deleted the app off my phone. I’d rather just have a simple website to go to! Maybe this is a Gen X thing

Hi there,

@rich-brooks, Your comment about including URLs for ease of contact makes perfect sense. If I keep the number of platforms to a choice few, I could include the URLs and still keep the layout clean. 

I think of myself primarily as a web developer, but seem to consistently have prospective/clients who are interested in having me develop their social media profiles. In the future, I may shift my branding, but in the short-term I’ll stick to developing websites. Really appreciate your thoughts.

@kc_kreative, I had to laugh about the GenX comment. That’s my demographic, so I too have been a bit suspect of QR codes. Including one on a bcard would require a compelling argument. I suppose my top sm platforms vary a bit, but I could choose a couple to promote. Thanks!

@supereb, I agree that the QR code might confuse some folks, but they are becoming more common. My fav has to be one for a mobile device (?) where you can scan it for a free song or soundtrack. Big music fan here.

Thanks again,

Jon

@kathybernard, Have to admit I was tempted to just use the icons, but didn’t feel quite right about it, which is why I posted the question. I have two versions, one without and one with URLs, with four platforms/profiles included.

I have decided to have the icons & URLs on the back, including Fb, Tw, & LI. I have Pinterest on there now, but may switch it out for G+. That would put the pressure on to develop my presence on Google+.

Kind thanks,

Jon

I stick to my website on business cards in hopes that those who receive the cards will visit the site and then use the social buttons from there. The direct address to my site is much easier than sharing a long profile url and it gets traffic to your site, which is probably where you need it most. 

Any thoughts on that approach?

Hey there,

@punchbugindy, As I was considering adding certain social media profiles, I was thinking I def wouldn’t add G+, because I don’t have a custom URL. Not only would it look crazy to have it written out, but no one would crazy enough to type it. 

I do think it’s important as a web developer to show “at a glance” that I understand the importance of social media by at least including select icons. For ease of contact, perhaps it is good to include a URL. Maybe for some, seeing those icons would encourage visiting your website.

@supereb, I tend to think of the front of my card as showing the critical minimum, and the back of the card as offering more info to those who might have interest. What I thought about including on the back was brief overview of services and select social media.

@plasticprinters, It does make sense that the QR code along with the social media icons would suggest a way to access more info, all ways of connecting.

Thank you all for your thoughts!—–

I’m wondering if it would make sense (to the end user) to have the icon signify the domain (or platform) then to the right see the profile URL. For example,  icon /whitbeckweb  

Best,

Jon