I am down to my last twenty business cards.
I can appreciate the impact and convenience a well done business card can have on a prospective client. Mine have been pretty simple: name, number the fact I wallpaper and paint.
I have thought of using a fold over style. It seems to offer a lot of space to give details on the full range of services.
So the question what is best: Simple? Complex? Color? Magnetic? Shape?
Thanks for the input,
Jon
“There is no good answer to a stupid question”
Russian saying
Russian saying
Replies
Jon,
I have had all my cards made by this company in the UK lately. They are not cheap (right around $1 each) but they definitely do not get thrown out and get ALOT of compliments as they are either heavy guage plastic or similar.
Let me know if you would like me to email you their link. I can send you a pic of mine too. I would post it here but I don't know if FHB approves promiting a business in the forums and I don't want to get banned! :)
Mike
I keep mine simple. Printed on glossy stock.
View Image
"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
I like the website at the top of your card. It certainly seems like it is the place where people look first for information.I was wondering where the 123 area code is ;)Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
Sorry about that, the area code is 661, the correct number is posted on my website. I figured the same about the website, which is why I tried to pick a url that was easy to remember. But some people still try spelling remodel as remodle, or ask, is it remodel, or remodeling?"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
Do you have your name on your card?
I would not do a tent fold card. If you put it in a rolodex or card wallet, something gets covered."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Do you have your name on your card?
Not sure yet. I'm about to get some new cards printed up, and my old ones had it, but I'm thinking of leaving it off the new ones. Wanted to see if anyone noticed or commented. Is it really necessary? Any reason it NEEDS to be there?"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
That's a good point. In having a brand or company identity it doesn't focus on one person. Especially for my size which is usually three guys and myself. Maybe its the contact info. that most people look for...Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
"That's a good point. In having a brand or company identity it doesn't focus on one person. Especially for my size which is usually three guys and myself."Yes and no.If you are the one that does all of the estimating and handles all of the problem, etc then I would have my name on it.If you call Sears for something like replacement windows or kitchen refacing you will get a card with a persons name on it. And that is the person that you call for more information, follow up, to complain to etc. Now sometimes that name is only penciled in, which always leads to great confidence <NOT>.The door hanger is not a bad idea to put around the immediate neighborhood where you are working.I am not sure, but I think that you can get them with either a puchout card or a cut tabs where you can insert one..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
I don't like the idea of anything but standardized card.
A different sized card or folding or similar will stand out. Often enough that it gets thrown away as it does not store with the others.
You can get them with printing on the back.
Although it might go over with HO's. But not with contractors or interior designers.
I did some repair work on a guys house that does custom murals (and lousy house painting). He focuses on schools and daycares.
His card is just a mural scene of Noah's Ark and animals. Along with name and phone number and CUSTOM MURALS.
Do you do any faux painting? I would show a sample of your work.
Cards are cheap enough that you might want to have several different types depending on the client and type of work.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Lots of great points there.My Father used to say to pass one out to each new person you meet. He still passes a modified one out even though he is in his eighties.Mine are used mostly to direct people to our website, e-mail address or our phone number. I don't want to overwhelm people with too many points but giving them some indication of the broad range of services may be helpful. We don't do a lot of faux finishing, perhaps three jobs a year. It is a good point to use an example or a house exterior or an architectural detail that has some impact.Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
I hand out maybe 5 or 6 business cards a year
what I actually hand out more often are some door hangers I had printed up--- I have one version for roofing services and one for more general carpentry/old house repair---so if somebody stops at one of our jobs and asks for a card--- I give them one of the relevant door hangers instead
i have a couple different versions of cards- that I just never give out.
since I actually gice out so few--- I figure they should be really nice ones- I have been thinking for 3 years now about getting some made of wood------ i have seen similar ones-about 1/16" thick--- look pretty cool--definitely memorable.
stephen
I have seen those wooden ones as well. I am thinking I might not give them out because they are so purdy.Maybe paint stir sticks?Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
I got one from a guy that sold industrial coatings, it was aluminum and notched to be used as a wet film thickness gage..pretty cool, I still have it around somewhere 20 yrs later.
Like this.
View Image
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Edited 1/28/2009 3:21 pm ET by Sphere
That is beautiful.Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
You could have the back silk screened with your contact info.
Not a cheap hand it to everybody card, but it would impress the heck out high dollar contacts.
Wait, I just zoomed in..
View Imageit has it
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Edited 1/28/2009 4:28 pm ET by Sphere
Another vote for a plain, simple, standard size card. Odd sizes or bifold ones that won't fit in my wallet get tossed. Leave the back side blank, personally I like to be able to write notes back there. It should be on white or off-white card stock, with dark non-artsy lettering - white card stock so I can write on the back, and dark simple lettering that I can read easily without a spotlight and a magnifying glass. Make sure the number you want them to call is prominent on the front - I don't know how many cards I have in my Rolodex where I always end up calling their fax number by mistake. Leave off any bizspeak about 'synergy' or 'our goal is to satisfy you' or any of that mumbo-jumbo.
Have you thought of making your own cards?
Microsoft Word has a template that you can use to DIY, and Avery laser cut card stock is available at most office supply stores.
I made the first version of this card five years ago and just print off a new batch of 10 as I need them. Doing it this way also lets me change the card when/if I want something new without having to hassle with a supplier who wants to print 500 at a time.
P.S. The actual cards don't have the boxes seen in this screen shot.
Edited 1/28/2009 4:57 pm by Dave45
That would address the multiple card for different occasions.We do business in a town near here as well so we could put our local number on the second I suppose.More good input there,
Jon
"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
If you try it, spend time learning how to use the Tables function in Word. It gives you a way to break the card into areas for different info. That picture on mine is my very own saw. - lol
I always used Office for Word and never really got into all the capabilities.Now I have some homework for tonight.I just figured out today how to use columns in a letter.Thanks Dave"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
Poke around and find the business card template, then use tables to set up your card. You'll be able to bring in pictures or graphics if you want.Only do one card and print it on plain paper while you get everything right. When you're happy, copy and paste that card into the other spaces on the template, load some card stock, and go for it.
I order mine from a printer that specializes in calendar cards - my cards have a calendar on the reverse, and I've found that it removes it from being a throw-away item. People actually keep it for a full year, and folks often stop me for a "new" one.
Try The Mines Press, if you're interested. Disclaimer; I have no affiiation with these folks, but I've been ordering from them for about 20 years.
Greg
We get a lot of card give to us, Yes the one with calendars do stick around at least a year.
The bail bondsman & DUI attorneys leave there business cards at the local liquor stores by the check out. The back sides post the schedules of the major league teams around here.
Good technique for the location for the bail bondsman and DUI attorneys. That is perfect.I was into a tavern last week, only for the food of course, and they were offering advertising space inside. I had wondered who is the best type of company to advertise in a bar. You answered it!Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
Calender is an other great idea.There used to be a brand of cigarettes that had a calender on the back of the pack. It was very helpful....of course for balance smokes are bad.Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
I'm a big believer in business cards.
pretty much everyone I meet gets 2.
only advice I have is go with good stock paper.
I get mine printed on some stuff that has a texture to it ...
I think it's even called "linen" ... just feels "rich".
Also always use raised ink.
I always get comments from new contacts about how "nice" the cards are.
Pretty suprising when ya just hand one to a stranger and they immediately tell you it's a nice card! People like the texture and thickness.
My opinion is it's worth the extra money for better card stock.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I have been getting them from a local supplier/client who doesn't do raised lettering. I do like it and that may be a good consideration for the new ones.The print stock definitely gives you a feel for what the quality of the work could be. I have had guys give me a "business card" on photocopy paper. Sometimes with the phone number scratched out and another written underneath.No question Jeff it is worth the money.Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
first impression and such.
I always figured for the little extra cost involved ...
if it swings just one more job your way, it's worth it.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I know. It's surprising more companies don't take more time to develop a compelling design, color, look or feel that separates them from others.Jon"There is no good answer to a stupid question"
Russian saying
Check this site out, business card option at bottom of page.
http://thebeergauge.com/
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