You may be surprised to hear this, but business cards aren't a relic of the past.
In the digital age, it’s tempting to believe that all important marketing happens en masse behind the screens of phones and computers. However, face-to-face connections remain an integral part of good business.
As you network in your community, having a professional business card will serve you well. When potential clients ask for more information about your coaching practice, it’s far more convenient to hand over a card than a resume — and it makes it easier for people to look you up later. Plus, they’re a great opportunity to show off your branding.
Not sure where to start? Here’s everything you need to know about making an excellent first impression with a coaching business card.
It’s time to get creative
Those who don’t have a knack for graphic design may cringe at the idea of making an impactful business card from scratch. But you don’t need to outsource to a professional — after all, you already have all the elements you need.
Above all else, a business card is meant to serve as a convenient touchpoint for your clients — literally. They can tuck it in their wallets and pull it out later when they choose to reach out to your coaching practice or hand it off to a friend. You know the essential information, such as a business name, phone number, and email. It’s just a matter of fitting these elements onto a little rectangle.
If you already have a brand logo, color palette, and font, you’re a few steps ahead. If you don’t have a brand identity yet, don’t worry — there are many easy-to-use business card templates. With their help, you’ll settle on these design elements in no time.
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What to include on a professional business card
Business cards are small spaces, so it’s important to use that real estate wisely. Too much information can be visually overwhelming and look unprofessional. If you don’t have enough room on your card, leave any overflow content for your website or social media accounts and prioritize the basics.
Here are the essentials you should include on a coaching business card:
- Your business name: To make the card distinctly yours, put your business name (or your name, when applicable) at the top. Distinguish this element with a slightly larger font.
- Your title or niche: Remind potential clients of the kind of work you do in a few words, such as “executive coach” or “nutrition coach.” Tuck this information below the business name.
- Your contact information: Include the forms of contact you frequently use, such as an email address and phone number. If you have a brick-and-mortar location, you may include the address — just mind the space.
- Your online presence: If you have a website or prominent social media profile, include the web address or handle so people can read more about your credentials and services at their leisure. Don’t include any long and complicated URLs — these will likely result in typos. Simply put your concise website and social address at the bottom of the card in a clear and legible font.
With these business card must-haves, you’re well on your way to crafting an informative card. If you have extra space to fill, consider including the following:
- A logo: Do you have a professional logo for your practice? If it fits, add it next to, above, or below your business name.
- A dynamic template: A black and white card is okay, but it’s not the most interesting to look at. If you have a brand identity, use your design elements to customize an eye-catching template by tweaking its fonts and colors. If you're still deciding on your brand’s look, your business card could be the perfect place to experiment.
- A quote: Ask a question to get potential clients thinking, like “are you living your best life?” or include a brief tagline about your services.
As you make design choices, steer yourself toward elements that feel like your business. For example, business cards for life coaches may feature a tranquil color palette, while executive business mentors might use bold hues. Fonts are front on center on a business card, so choose ones that are professional and easy to read. Whimsical lettering can be fun, but it may give off a less serious tone and generate mistrust — use your best judgment.
Where to create custom business cards
While business cards predate the internet, digital services are useful tools for designing and printing. We’ve created a short list of user-friendly online platforms that offer stunning business card designs and examples. Check them out:
- Canva: This intuitive platform offers hundred of drag-and-drop tools and easy-to-use templates. The best part is you can save and use the same visual elements from your cards in various other designs, from social media posts to infographics. Once you’re finished, Canva offers a printing service for your cards — simply place an order and wait for them to arrive.
- Vistaprint: This printing service is perfect for total beginners who want to learn how to make business cards. The platform walks you through the process from start to finish, offering a variety of ready-made business card templates to personalize (and allowing you to upload your own designs). Like Canva, you can then order your physical cards online.
- Moo: Moo is a branding platform that allows users to create everything from business cards to promotional water bottles. The service offers a wide variety of eye-catching templates to help you generate unique business card ideas and also allows you to design cards from scratch or upload a complete design. Moo takes care of the printing and lets you choose from different paper options, from traditional to luxurious finishes.
Manage new leads with Practice
You’re working hard to bring in new leads for your business. Use a customer relationship management (CRM) tool to solidify your relationships with clients.
Practice’s CRM platform was designed with coaches and small business owners in mind. It allows you to securely store client data, send messages and documents, manage bookings, and receive payments — all in one convenient place. Plus, our blog is full of resources to help you take your business to the next level. Learn about everything from naming your business and getting your first client to marketing your services.
