Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I would like to create a business card for myself based on the services that I offer to small businesses.
In terms of content what are most common and important information should be included and or leftout. Also, do white business card are the mostly preferred? Gpahics? yes or no?
And, Should I include my full name (Tomasz), which I think is more professional, or should it be Tom, which is what I am more commonly know by to everyone and is easier to pronounce.
Any comments or suggestions are appreciated


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Skype Me!!! @ tomaszpw
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Tomasz,

I get to see a lot of business cards at PrintingForLess.com. It seems that just about everyone orders business cards at some point.

You should know that 99% of all business cards are thrown out within the first week of being passed out. So, how do you make a card that makes the cut? When laying out your card, you need to consider what you are trying to achieve when you pass it out. Are you giving out your contact information, or would you like to add to your contact info my creating a business card that is a promotional or marketing piece too? Just a little thought can set you out in front of the thousands of other business cards that are floating around out there.

The most important info to include is your name (I`d suggest using Tom if you are working in a casual environment or are trying to establish a "friendly" relationship. Your full name will send a more professional message, but that may be what you want). Your preferred method of contact should be included too. I`ve noticed that recently people aren`t putting fax numbers on their cards. Fax isn`t used to the extent that it used to be. Email is a must these days and mobile phone numbers are not only included, but are sometimes the only number listed on the cards. You`ll also want to list your website, if you have one, and a mailing address.

It is helpful to start with a template and customize it for yourself. Most programs have easy to use templates that don`t look too bad. (If you`re not using a template, a regular business card is 3.5 x 2". )

Design is mostly personal preference, but there are a few rules to follow. To get a great looking business card, you should consider having it printed professionally on heavy, white, card stock (100 - 120# cover stock or 12 - 14pt. cover stock. These are the same thing by the way) Many of the cards that we print are mostly white. A business card can really stand out if it has some good color to it. I personally like cards that are mostly solid colors with white text. To make this look good you should print the color onto white paper. Using colored paper will effect the rest of your colors in your picture or text.

Pictures are commonly used by Real Estate professionals, or people who laregly deal face to face with clients. Other graphics, like a logo, are a great addition in place of a photo and go a long way to help you brand your business.

I`m sorry for the long post. I know that this is a lot of information. If you`d like to see some samples of different cards that we`ve printed to give you some ideas, just email me and I`ll get some samples sent to you. This can be helpful for generating ideas of your own. If you`re interested, the PFL website has some good Design Hints and business card templates. No obligation of course.

Design Hints - http://www.printingforless.com/perfectpiece.html

Microsoft Word Templates - http://www.printingforless.com/bcardtemplates.html

If you want to take your card a step farther, feel free to check out this article on Creativepro.com, but don`t be intimidated by these designs.

http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/18233.html

Your card doesn`t have to be super fancy, or be designed by an expensive designer to be effective. It just has to communicate your message clearly and appeal to the person you`re giving it to. Best of Luck!

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Nick Runyon
Director of Marketing
PrintingForLess.com

Before being a business owner/operator, I was a graphic
designer for a large offset printer. I have designed and seen
many card styles. Color, card shape, size, materials, and
message are all worthy topics. If I were to leave my opinion in
regards to business cards I would say there is a traditional
method and a creative method.

The traditional method holds mostly two ways of contacting the
person or business being presented. A contact phone,
business address, or email address are standard. Materials
used are frequently white, or off white, and typical use one or
two ink colors in production. Take a look at well-founded, large
size company business cards. I think you will find the majority
to be just a method of contacting, not a method of inspiring a
sale.

The creative method is typically used when you`re trying to get
people to look or show the card to others. This is a very difficult
challenge to create. One business I worked with used clear,
almost a mylar (not sure on the spelling) type material. The
logo was a solid, one color and the text was the same color at
the logo. In this case, the logo color was less important as it`s
shape. Therefore each person in the company chose the color
they enjoyed most of the several available to keep the brand at
least somewhat consistent. Although the card often became a
topic of conversation when I handed mine out, I admit, it
became a little lost if left on a desk full of papers. The clear card
style was cool though.

To get it right the first time, I think you need to decide if your
business is one which needs to show creativity or not. If so, you
will need to research new, typically unused materials or unique
design. If your cards are just information to be contacted later, I
don`t think unique designs will improve your return call factor.

One last thing, I tend to use my cards more as a marketing
piece. The only information on the card is the logo, and web
site address. People don`t care who owns my online retail
store. But I did make a small run of the same style card with my
name, position, and contact number with email. This card is
only handed to potential business to business opportunities. I
want people to know my name if they are interested in doing
business together. If you`re just a guy… or girl (didn`t mean to
leave anyone out) on the street interested in the products I
carry, my name is less important. Of course, when speaking to
them, I introduce myself by name and remember to remember
their name.

I agree tremendously with Marketeer. People toss them out as
soon as you turn around. Therefore, the majority of my cards
can be left anywhere, by anyone and still be effective in
saying… Hello, find earthborn & handmade products here! I will
say, although we make designs we think are great, I
recommend allowing time to revisit your design and layout of
your business card before printing. Print a few on a color printer
(gang several up on a printable size page) and show them to
your friends and family. You would be surprised of the
comments and suggestions. Sometimes what we think is
GREAT is only great. Do you know what I mean?

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Great advice from both Marketeer and iouone2. I`m a huge
advocate of taking the creative approach, suggested by
iouone2, in making the first impression. For the first 25+ years I
was in business I didn`t even have a business card - and was
known as "the graphic designer without a biz card." To the
amazement of friends, family, industry peers and clients I
created a business card about four years ago. It`s nearly
square, made of thick paper and printed in the letterpress
process. It makes an incredible first impression - and doubles
very well as a beer coaster.

- J.



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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

I just wanted to add that as a one-person startup freelance writer I was going to hold off for awhile on getting business cards, especially since I`m moving in a few months and will have to change address & phone info. Plus, my local Office Depot`s smallest run is 1000! 

Well, within one week I had about three contacts or editors wanting to exchange cards.  Fine....I got an Office Depot basic run, with black lettering on white, and I guess my recycle bin will get a heck of a pile on moving day. Cost me about US$18.

What struck me was how hard it was to fit my name, business, Web site URL, blog URL, email,  and snail mail all onto one card, particularly since I have a long name. 

Guess I should try LogoMotives` beer coaster-sized one next time.

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Seafarer

Author Web site |

Family Travel blog |

Every Dot Connects blog

Great ideas. Thanks. Right now I design my own business cards and print them on my own printer on 110 lb. card stock. I only print a few at a time. But I might be interested in having them printed elsewhere.Marketeer (or anyone else who prints cards), if I design my own cards can you print them? If so, how do I submit them to you? Email? Snail mail? What format can you use? I have several inexpensive (cheap) programs to use or I could re-design it in Quark 6.1.

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VickiJ
www.freshairjournal.com