For those of you attending Wi12, I have some last-minute reminders to add to your preparation checklist. I’ve broken them down into 5-minute segments this week so get can tackle them a little at a time.

Today, check your stock of business cards. Do you need to print more? Has any of the information changed? Have you made any corrections with a ballpoint pen? It’s probably time for a reprint, and you can even have a short-run printed before you leave town.

When designing a business card, it’s important to include a few things in the design:

• Personalization: your name, followed by what you do.
• The name of the store, either in text or through your logo, should be prominently placed. If your logo is your brand, use it.
• All of your locations: the address of your brick-and-mortar store and the address of your online store.
• Other ways you can be reached, like phone numbers (include your mobile number if you want to be reachable) and email addresses. If you depend on faxes, go ahead and list that number.
• If you’re active on Twitter, you might consider adding your handle. Otherwise, other social media locators can be found through your website.
• Do you find yourself continually writing missing information on the back? Consider adding those items you typically write to your card.
• And speaking of writing on the card, be sure to leave plenty of white space on the front or back. White space is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it’s necessary for those who want to write notes on the card. Even if you’re not a “card writer,” the recipient of your card might be.
• One final thing before you send them off to the printer: Proofread it. Call the numbers listed, email the address you provide, and have another set of eyes make sure you didn’t miss a “dot” in your email or accidentally provide your home phone number (if you still have one of those).

If you’ve been putting off reprinting cards because of some changes expected in a few months, it’s still a good idea to print a small batch for the conference. Then send the large order to the printer when you get back in town.