► What is in a Name...tag? (01/17)
Recently, I attended a networking event filled with people and potential, until I saw, or couldn't see, the name tags. While the tags were full of data - name, title, company name, event logos, date, etc. - the font was so small and "pretty", it was illegible and, well, useless.
Remember the last time you turned to see that familiar face, forgot the name, and were unable to read the nametag? Or, do you recall an error on your own nametag? How did you feel? Names and the tags that display them are important to people.
What's the purpose of a nametag anyway? Let’s start with what it's not – a business card, an advertisement / mini billboard, a piece of art, or an eye test.
A nametag is just that – a tag for a name. It can be an introduction or a polite, face-saving reminder of that name “on the tip of your tongue.” In the U.S., here are a few suggestions for useful nametags:
Organizers
1. An attendee’s first / given name should be on the top line and legible from at least six feet away -- making names easy to see from a distance and embarrassment avoidable.
2. Names should be in a clean, bold font – Arial Bold or Black works well – skip italics or “pretty” fonts.
3. Company titles, names, logos should be small or omitted entirely. Conversations and business card exchanges should cover this.
Attendees
1. Always wear a nametag when one is presented. Nametags are not for you, rather for others. Consider wearing a tag your gift to your boss’ spouse who hasn’t seen you in six months.
2. Tags are worn on the upper right shoulder, a direct line of site for a standard handshake.
3. Remove and return your nametag after an event for security and recycling purposes.
In short, nametags should feature the attendee's name, be easy to read from a distance, and be worn. If, after all, as "Anonymous" says words have meaning and names have power, then a nametag undoubtedly can be a powerful start to a meaningful exchange. That’s what is in a nametag.
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