Should I put my headshot photo on my business card?

Most people that are in a client-facing role of some capacity will have their own business card, as will anyone who is self-employed or running their own business. Business cards are an important tool in your marketing toolkit, as they often provide the first printed introduction to your business.

When networking and meeting prospects or clients, business cards are one of the essentials, so it’s likely you will be giving a good few away per week. It is for these reasons that getting your business card right is so important. Advances in both technology and marketing have been huge over the past few years, meaning that there are now endless possibilities for your business cards to help them stand out from the rest.

One of the most recent trends for business cards is to add an image of yourself to the card. This approach appears to be like marmite for most people, either loving or absolutely hating the idea. So, the question is, should you put your headshot on your business card?

Should I put my headshot photo on my business card?

There are a few factors that should be considered when deciding whether or not to add your photo to your business card. We thought we’d outline a few of them to help you make the decision before you go ahead and add it straight in there.

1. Consider the sector

Whether or not you should add your photo to a business card can often be determined by the business sector you fall into. If you are self-employed or the face of the company, it would make more sense to have your face on the card. Equally, if you are a photographer, actor or public speaker, it would be appropriate to add your headshot to your business card. It’s true that people do business with those they like, know and trust, so personalisation can sometimes be an effective way of selling yourself.

2. How often are you wanting to renew your business card order?

This is something that should definitely be factored into your decision-making process. If you are self-employed and just starting out, it is likely that you will only have a small marketing budget, and therefore will be looking to make your money go as far as it can. If you add a photo, the card will become dated more quickly, and therefore need replacing sooner than it would have done otherwise, providing your details don’t change. If your headshot is on your business card and you decide to have a drastic haircut, change in glasses or choose to lose the beard, make sure your photo still looks like you!

3. Who’s going to be printing your business cards?

If you choose to spend money on getting yourself professional headshots, you want to be sure that they come out looking just as professional on your business card. Make sure that the image is of high quality, both in terms of the image uploaded and the quality of the printing supplier used.

If you do decide that a business card with an image of yourself is the way to go, we’d recommend you follow these six golden rules to ensure that your personalised card stands out from the rest of the pack.

1. Use a professional photographer

When it comes to headshots, it’s best not to skimp on the costs. Many photographers do great deals on headshots for self-employed people, so it’s worth researching a high-quality photographer with tonnes of experience.

2. Dress authentically

Make sure that whatever you wear in your picture reflects how people would come across you in real life. If you never turn up to meetings in a full suit, don’t wear one in your photograph or you won’t seem genuine.

3. Face towards the information

Where possible, make sure that your headshot is positioned so that your head is facing toward the text. This will help draw the eye of the reader to where you want them.

4. 1/3 in size

If you’re committing to having a photo of yourself on your business card, make sure it’s properly visible. The image is an added feature of the card, so make sure it’s a clear image that takes up at least a third of the space.

5. Match this photo with your Linkedin profile photo

Regardless of whether your marketing is printed or digital, it should always be consistent. If you’ve spent the money to have a professional headshot and you’re using it on your business card, show continuity and have the same image as your profile picture on LinkedIn. That way, when people come to add you, there’ll be no doubt as to whether or not they have the right person.

6. Contact details

With all this extra information to take in, make sure you don’t forget to include your most crucial details. Make sure that the text is clear and that your contact details also stand out on the card.

If you need help with your business cards or other print requirements, get in touch with the AB Print team today.