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Page 2 - What to include in your design
Page 3 - Designing your card

People do not generally go out with the specific purpose of networking; it is something so important that you'll need to be prepared to fit it into anything and everything that you do. To be ready to network, you'll need enough inter-personal skills to get by and enough organization to at least look like you're prepared for whom you might meet.

The challenge of appearing prepared is easy enough if you can second guess what people might ask of you. For example, contact information will be requested more often than a demo. Also, if you've just met somebody that works in the industry, you might not have enough time, there and then, to convince them that your music and musical services can be useful to them. If you can exchange details, you will be empowered with more time to concoct a convincing e-mail or phone call tailored to the circumstances. Similarly, people will want different, specific things from you depending on what they do.

A business card should encompass all relevant, non-personal forms of contact. It works on any level. I.e. no matter whether somebody wants to come to your next gig, write some music with you, book you for a gig, or sign you to an agency, a business card will give them the contact information they need. With something as versatile and compact, there's no excuse for failing to have these to hand at all times.

Although contact information is the most important part of your card, presentation can determine the way that someone views your status. Aside from aesthetics, there is a more business based focus on the use of images within a card; namely, branding. A subtle backdrop allows your card to further adhere to your colour scheme (even if that scheme is black and white). A logo or motif creates a brand association allowing for instant recognition on flyers, T-shirts, videos etc.

Creativity is synonymous with thinking outside of the box. Branding is, in a way, putting everything into a box. Thus, branding tends not to be popular with creative people. In a way, it's like reading a book after seeing the film; you're telling your audience part of their perception. However, give a minute to hear the other side of the argument: Image is considered as very important by most of your customers and, therefore, more so by your business associates. You can avoid being tied down to one image. Once you've established enough recognition, you can change your image, subtly or entirely and move on through whole new styles of music. That's how most of the longest standing artists have maintained public interest. Look at David Bowie, Madonna, Pink Floyd etc.

I believe that, if your music has depth, somebody will hate it no matter how 'good' it is. They'll probably have the potential to like it, but they won't. Changing your style allows you to reach more people throughout your career. Discovering an initial style helps make you, as an artist/band, into a complete package, at the very least, from the point of view of potential business associates.

It's up to you and you may not want to be in the 'public eye' anyway. Whether you adhere to a colour scheme or not, images can brighten up your card.

Giving somebody a business card is a step towards an exchange of contact details. You have given somebody several ways to get in contact and this will make it easier to ask for and receive the same from them. If they don't have a business card, you can ask for a number with less chance of getting fobbed off with an e-mail address.