Names on Business Cards

[Cisco1]

I print a generic card for each location/branch in the company that has only the company name, address and local phone numbers on them ...they are used for new people until the cards come in for them that are personalized.

I just a couple of weeks ago was in a local shop and they had a display of business cards and not a single one had any persons name or contact info, to me it seems like they are trying to save a buck or have a huge amount of turnover and just expect me to write the name of my contact on the card.
Not gunna happen....

[Sketcher]

If it's a freelancer working from home, I'd put the person's name on the card. If it's a large business with dozens of employees, I'd put the individual names on the cards. The only way I could see no names on the cards working is if it's a very small business (2-3 people) and there's a main business phone number that any of them would be answering.

If you and your friend start up a business together, and you're working out of a small office with a main phone line, just the two of you, I don't really see a point in having two sets of business cards.

[garricks]

Most important, I think you have to have a name on the card to win free meals when you drop the cards into restaurant fishbowls.

[KitchWitch]

Originally Posted by garricks

Most important, I think you have to have a name on the card to win free meals when you drop the cards into restaurant fishbowls.

Oh, we may have a winner here.

[TomMonTom]

Originally Posted by garricks

I'd like to read that study. My common sense tells me that when I need to contact that HVAC company that worked on my air conditioning three years ago, I want a reminder of the person I spoke with. I can look up the company online.

Ah! Here we are now, someone that actually calls someone they spoke to. Yeah... a lot of younger folks don't do that. We just want a rep to help us and we understand if they are no longer at the company. I don't even do that.

I have had thus far three clients all of which wanted exclusivity with their business cards or all web information with no spokes person; it's everywhere in fact.

People are attached to an idea more than a person behind that idea... it's strange really.

Ultimately you will write down that persons name and information if it is that important to you usually on the back of the card and you develop a connection with that person. This is also a reason to leave a name off.

It works better for my business too I have come to find...

Whatever works best; if the clients have 50+ year olds as his base then let it be as such that they have names; or if it's their financial advisors name.

Personally though, I go for the QRCodes.

Leave of course a call to action... website, email, and phone number; facebook page, twitter feed, your you-tube feed —maybe even a podcast; heck lets go with a Dewey decimal system that is in fact an IP address that you type into your computer and it comes out with my website with portfolio as I do IT work and graphic design!

Or maybe I will just ask your name how you are doing and start a conversation as a kid/business man/clerk/patron/college kid/IT professional/(insert cliché here)etc. behind me types on his phone all day long.

[KitchWitch]

Since this does seem to be dependent on the company, let me explain that my husband's 'company' is him, in the basement, customizing motorcycles. Just him, fiddling with steel and power tools, hoping to sell something. He has decided, however, that he needs a logo and business cards because any day now he will be discovered or something and will be building bikes on Orange County Choppers (with Paul, Sr., of course, 'cause Junior is a whiney baby).

<end wifely sarcasm>

[TomMonTom]

Sorry KitchWitch; I did take your situation and run with it a bit. Didn't mean to blow it out of proportion for anyone... if I came across that way; genuinely sorry. Put his business name/logo and phone number with his name discretely located maybe or in a muted tone...

[KitchWitch]

Originally Posted by TomMonTom

Sorry KitchWitch; I did take your situation and run with it a bit. Didn't mean to blow it out of proportion for anyone... if I came across that way; genuinely sorry. Put his business name/logo and phone number with his name discretely located maybe or in a muted tone...

No, not at all, I appreciate all the feedback. The sarcastic wifely rant is always aimed at my husband, lol. Since I was getting feedback that this does depend a lot on the company, I thought it might help to clarify.

[PanToshi]

You should put boobies on it.

[KitchWitch]

Oh Pan, if you only knew the logo ideas I had to talk down...