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tuitionsource
05-11-2011, 10:39 PM
I am the proud daddy of a college kid. She just finished a graphic arts class and one assignment was to design a biz card that stood out from the crowd. Her idea was to use a playing card design for the starting point. She used the joker and the project came out well. She is on her way in her fashion marketing degree.

That lead to me pulling out my biz card and let her critique it. I was proud of my creation but it is pretty sedate. She was telling me the good and bad points of my card but she was impressed with my work.

A couple of things I did: I had a small profile pic on the front. I had 3 different fonts(apparently a no no). On the back I had my facebook and Linked in addy's but I used their logo for each rather than just saying "Facebook". That scored creativity points.

So, the question is, do you have any creative business card ideas?

Dan Furman
05-12-2011, 01:21 AM
This is what the back of mine says:

Dan’s BizTip #48 (collect all 100!)

Let’s talk about “Plain English” writing and marketing for a second…

Instead of being clear, most business writing tries to sound important:

“At Sluggo Enterprises, we
continually strive to effusively
embrace the unique paradigms of
the overarching branding scheme.” (No, I don't know what it means either.)

That may impress the boss, but customers/prospects tune right out. Really, it almost sounds like an evil villain’s plan in a James Bond film.

Effective business writing should be clear and easy to read. It should also seek to interest your target audience so they want to read it further. That’s how you get readers to take action

Spider
05-12-2011, 09:35 AM
My "creative" suggestion is to print nothing on the back of the card. The back of a business card is for writing on. If I have nowhere to write on your card, I will forget who you are, where and when we met and what we discussed. Which means the card become useless and gets thrown away!

Business Attorney
05-12-2011, 11:04 AM
Frederick, can't you write on the front of the card? Or in the white space on the back?

Spider
05-12-2011, 11:21 AM
Yes, if the card is plain, unsurfaced paper and not fully covered with print. At least half the cards I receive these days are plastic-coated on the face and cannot be written on. Others are double (folded) cards, the second 'page' of which is torn off and thrown away - these cards usually have the rear face fully-loaded with very small print with no space for writing. Most cards with print on the back leave no room to write anything.

tuitionsource
05-12-2011, 07:31 PM
Thanks Frederick. I have only 2 lines of text on the back. I do like to have space for notes as well.

Spider
05-13-2011, 10:31 AM
Ok. here's a creative idea. Encourage people to write on the back of your card with prompts printed down one edge--

Date we met:
Where we met:
The occasion/event:
What we discussed:

Tri-Win
05-13-2011, 11:06 AM
The back of a card is good space, in my opinion as a graphic designer, you should use the back of the card for branding. If you use logo only you have plenty of room to write notes. Some of the newer business card trends are rubber cards, clear plastic cards, cards with QR Codes that import contact info into a smart phone. Some of those ideas make a card memorable but not versatile. The best business cards tell people who you are and what you do in a creative way that relates directly to you and your business.

Harold Mansfield
05-13-2011, 11:49 AM
I haven't had a batch of cards in a while since 98% of my communications with people are online, but my last batch was pretty simple.
Name, Profession, Services, and Contact info. No extra info. No social media URLS. Simple, to the point with all the necessary contact info. and business/phone hours.

I have found today ( at least for me) that most people just want to know how to find you online so that they can look you up when they get to their office or computer.
Anytime I have ever given out a business card, the repeating question is "Is your website on here?".

tuitionsource
05-13-2011, 10:49 PM
Some of those ideas make a card memorable but not versatile. The best business cards tell people who you are and what you do in a creative way that relates directly to you and your business.

There in is part of my problem. I am into several things, REI, websites, business loans, education, solutions to problems, kinda like a hired gun. My message really isn't clear on my card. Right now it just says "How may I help you?"

Harold Mansfield
05-14-2011, 12:25 AM
There in is part of my problem. I am into several things, REI, websites, business loans, education, solutions to problems, kinda like a hired gun.

And I wouldn't put all of that on it either. It'll look more like a Twitter profile than a business card.

tuitionsource
05-14-2011, 08:24 AM
And I wouldn't put all of that on it either. It'll look more like a Twitter profile than a business card.

So, maybe have my name and contact info, and "Problem Solver" on the front of the card? I like Fredrick's prompts on the back.

Maybe start a list of possible professional adjectives:

Problem Solver
Solutions Manager
Dragon Slayer
Hill Climber
Wall Climber

Any other suggestions?

Harold Mansfield
05-14-2011, 10:57 AM
So, maybe have my name and contact info, and "Problem Solver" on the front of the card? I like Fredrick's prompts on the back.

Maybe start a list of possible professional adjectives:

Problem Solver
Solutions Manager
Dragon Slayer
Hill Climber
Wall Climber

Any other suggestions?

In your case I would just use your name, all of your contact information including website and a general title like some kind of "Consultant". Hopefully you won't be dropping a card on strangers and you can pitch your particular service depending on the need of the person that you are talking to before you give them your card.

tuitionsource
05-14-2011, 02:00 PM
Thanks ebourg.

Business Attorney
05-17-2011, 09:57 PM
How are these for more ideas:

25 Examples of Stylish Business Card Designs (http://smashinghub.com/25-examples-of-stylish-business-card-designs.htm)

They are not right for everyone, but many of them are very memorable. I would guess some people getting them would hold on to them because of their novelty.

Spider
05-18-2011, 09:51 AM
There in is part of my problem. I am into several things, REI, websites, business loans, education, solutions to problems, kinda like a hired gun. My message really isn't clear on my card. Right now it just says "How may I help you?"


Why is that a problem? Forget "creative" - just tell 'em what you do ---



------------------------------------------------------------

REI Bill Smith
websites
business loans TUITIONSOURCE Inc.
solutions to problems
hired gun http://soarizon.com

------------------------------------------------------------

SmallBusinessAdvice
05-19-2011, 01:25 PM
Make your business card look like money and that will make it stand out. There are companies that make drop cards like that and do a huge business

Spider
05-19-2011, 01:32 PM
Why all this effort to make business cards stand out? The purpose of a business card is to provide contact information, not attract attention. That's what advertising is for. No, business cards are not advertising!

Instead of wasting time making your business card stand out, how about spending the time making yourself or your business stand out? - by dressing well, by being engaging and considerate, by doing good work.

Harold Mansfield
05-19-2011, 02:30 PM
Make your business card look like money and that will make it stand out. There are companies that make drop cards like that and do a huge business

Interesting. Out here the only companies that do that are escort services. Their cards look like folded $20's, $50's or $100's. But that brings up an interesting consideration. How will design creativity been seen across the board outside of your geographical area? Or to people in different industries?

If you dropped a money design business card here in Vegas (especially at a convention or trade show) , they would immediately make the association of an escort service. That probably wouldn't be good.

That's why I prefer to just go with traditional layouts and colors. But I could see how a graphic designer or photographer would want to be a little more creative. But I wouldn't expect that from an accountant.

tuitionsource
05-19-2011, 08:15 PM
My REI business does do well and I am pleased with it. Other businesses are just getting off the ground and I would like to take advantage of all opportunities.

I do disagree that business cards are not advertising. I have seen many business cards used for effective advertising. Those cards have a very focused look and message. I also have seen business cards used for effective ice breakers that allow for promotion. I do not consider it to be a waste of time to pay attention to details.

tylerhutchinson
05-20-2011, 05:43 PM
Honestly it depends on what industry you are really in. Business cards are really less useful as they use to be. Have you looked into Microsoft Tag? I am sure you have seen them, they are those little square pictures you can take pictures on your phone or mobile device and it will link you to a website or video. I would suggest making your card fancy and put your basic info on it but then add a tag to the corner or back that links you to your company website. That way anyone anywhere can look at your website and view all of your information! You can give much more doing that then what any card can hold. Plus the tag is free to create!

Hope this helps.

tuitionsource
05-20-2011, 06:50 PM
Thanks Tyler. I didn't know. I've got to look into that.

mhilliarda
05-27-2011, 02:44 PM
There are are several ways to stand out among other business cards. One way is by having a plastic business card. If you haven't seen one they are really cool, and if you think about it they are easy to pick out in a stack of business cards because they are a little thicker. Another way is to have the plastic be transparent. So not only does the card stand out because it's plastic, but because you can see through it. The last thing I would suggest is by having it be a little different shape than the original rectangular card shape. It catches the eyes attention because it is uniquely shaped.

Nicole Hurley
06-03-2011, 07:19 PM
Keep your brand in mind and try to make one that totally screams your company. One really neat card I have seen was a see through, yet sturdy card for Minus 5.. a bar made completely out of ice. They made the card look like a little piece of ice. It was really neat!!

vangogh
06-03-2011, 11:51 PM
That's pretty cool and looking at the card naturally reminds you right away of the bar. You shouldn't even need to read it to remember the place. That's a card that quickly communicates the experience of the business at a glance.

jamesray50
06-06-2011, 01:41 PM
It took me several tries on getting a business card that I liked. I finally designed on myself on line but they didn't look like what I had designed. I had marked the review box, so I was able to send them back and reorder, and the lady I spoke to made some suggestions to make them better. My card had my business name on the top of the card in bold, on the line under that the services I offer. Then my contact info and website. I also included a picture of myself on the left side of the card. I am happy with the card. And the card itself has a blue vertical line going down the left side of the card which is the same color as my website.

tuitionsource
06-10-2011, 07:54 PM
Hey Tyler, I figured the tag thing out. Pretty cool stuff. Thanks for the tip.

Noelle
09-08-2011, 02:10 PM
Use a QR Code, to collect contact information, and to automatically store your number in their phone! You can also send them to a video introduction of yourself.

scottish
09-12-2011, 05:49 AM
my business cards carry my details on one side and a list of services and my prices on the other. adding the prices makes your business cards have less of a shelf life as youd need to change them when u change your prices but it really helps with word of mouth.