Business Card Advice

[WinoBlues]

I am in the no picture camp.

Most professionals such as Lawyers, Doctors and CPAs have nicely printed plain cards. Realtors have glossy picture cards. With glam shots.

I like a lot of white space. My name, 800 # and email are bold. I regret having a DBA. On my next set that will be in smaller print.

I have never been a fan of two sided cards. However, recently I have heard "I did not know you sold XXXX, I just bought that from..." So I will probably add a back. But the front will be clean. I also like a good coated card stock.

 

[Orlando1]

Thanks for the input. A little surprised the photo is not high on the list. I guess the main thing is to be able to leave a professional impression.

 

[WinoBlues]

Thanks for the input. A little surprised the photo is not high on the list. I guess the main thing is to be able to leave a professional impression.

People are odd at times. There may be something that they do not like about your looks. Happens to me all the time .

 

[Guest]

If you think your biz card is important you might want to go to:

iStock Photo: Royalty Free Stock Photography, Vector Art Images, Music & Video Stock Footage | iStock

and pick a picture that you like.... maybe one that will be the background of a card (horizontal)... or just the left hand side of the card (vertical). (Lots of people are using vertical cards these days. I don't like them.

Find a graphic person (not hard to find) give her (usually women) a link to the pix and she will buy it (unless you want to create an account with them) and she will design your card and send it to a printer that she likes. Won't cost you too much extra but you are sure to find something that you really like.

You might want to recommend she use Zoo Printing... I'm sure she will know who they are as they are a large trade printer. My publishing biz has an account with them. (I don't think it is all that hard to get an account.) Zoo charges $16 for 1,000 cards before shipping.

Of course your graphic gal might mark the printing up... often they don't.

Since my parter in our web design biz is a graphic designer it is easy for me to get stuff done... but there are lots of good graphics people in every town and it's always good to know these people... if nothing else because they deal with lots and lots of small biz... many starting out... who might make good insurance prospects. A box of candy or pastry to your graphic designer will often get you a new client or two.

Just a thought. YMMV.

Al
499WordPressDesign.com

 

[RichMcK]

I've never been sorry for adding the photo. It sets me apart from other life agents. Frank taught to add, "Your insurance man." Or something like that. My card background has an American flag waving. Make sure the font is large enough. And yes, VistaPrint.com does a nice job.

Several months ago there was another thread on business cards, use the search.

 

[Tahoe Ray]

I am in the no picture camp.

Most professionals such as Lawyers, Doctors and CPAs have nicely printed plain cards. Realtors have glossy picture cards. With glam shots.

I agree for the same reasons.

 

[asher]

I think a photo on the card adds a lot.
People know what to expect.
I do business in 9 states. Never met many of my clients.
All respond positively to my photo. Many comment that
they flip to my card in rolodex when we're on the phone.
Helps to connect.

 

[Newby]

I like the photo on the card.

I guess if you only sell over the phone you could put a photo of someone better looking than you on there. Millie-Vanilli style.

 

[Rearden]

HEY GUYS.

Picked up a $1000 commission off of a referral.

For only one reason.

Want to know what it is?

Because I put my Georgia License Number on my business card.

If I hadn't, my current client wouldn't have thought to refer me his brother (as my current client and I live in Tennessee, and his brother lives in Georgia).

...AND my cards are all business card sized, but backed with magnets. Perfect for the fridge (and easy access for folks to send referrals to you...).

 

[jacobtn]

I have my picture on my cards in the front.. And a map of my office on the back.