Your business card will probably be the single most often handed out piece of marketing material you ever use. From securing keys for showings, networking events, meeting new clients, closing gifts, referral requests, and more you're handing those cards out like hot cakes! 

We think it's safe to say that the way your real estate business cards look and feel are super important. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your business card design:

DO

• Include your full name, phone number, email address and website address. Aside from your name, you always want to give people at least 3 different ways to contact you.
• Use a professionally designed logo and professional headshot.
• Keep it simple. When it comes to business cards, less is more. Often times a more simple design leads to a sleeker, more professional look.
• Upgrade your card stock. Since this is often the most handed out piece of marketing material you'll use, we recommend NOT skimping out on quality here. You'll be happy you upgraded when you receive compliments on the quality.
• Know what's legal to include or not include. For example, if you are a licensed real estate agent, but are a member of the National Association of Realtors®, they prefer you write the word Realtor as Realtor®. Some areas also require you include your MLS number on your card, or even your business address.
• Stay on brand. Use colors and fonts that match the look and feel of your website and other marketing materials. Think of some of the biggest and most well known brands out there - their marketing materials and advertising efforts all have consistency across the board. Color, fonts, logos, style, tone, etc.
• Ask if you can give them your card and politely introduce yourself before you just hand it to them. A lot of the time this will lead to them actually saving it versus tossing it.
• Regularly keep your top clients stocked with business cards. They should never run out of cards to share with others.

DON'TS

• Clutter is a no-go. No huge images, giant logos, enormous fonts, or nonsense copy. Save that for your website, flyers, etc. Respect how little space is even available on a business card.
• Avoid promoting your youtube or social media accounts if you are never really active on them. This will come off as a bad sign to prospective clients who try to follow you and assume you have no business or aren't working because you aren't posting.
• Try to stand out by using over-priced unique business card shapes, sizes and materials. A wooden card is going to cost you more than the impression it will ever make. A metal card may damage the inside of your clients belongings, and the tiny long cards just don't fit in anyone's wallet and are easily lost.
• Don't hand out your business card to someone you never plan on doing business with or who hasn't mentioned referring you to others. It's a waste of your time and money.