tips on designing a new business card

[naturalturn]

Hi folks,

Any tips on how to design a good business card?

I was thinking of a standard-size card printed on both sides. One side in color with a headshot or action shot, and simply my website address, phone number, and a couple of words to capture their attention. The other side will have a bit more information, stating the benefits of hiring my services, etc.

What do you think?

naturalturn

https://www.raywongmagic.com

[Stephon]

in a lecture on Marketing at last year's MotionFest, someone advised leaving the back of your card blank, so you can write something on it when you hand out the card. This gives the person who received the card an immediate connection with you and how you met every time they look at the card.

[pablo]

KISS

That stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. Too much info is clutter. Your name, contact info & one photo or logo is enough.

If you want something more fun & informative, check out Superstar Performer Cards:

http://www.superstarperformers.com

I'm #11 this year, and I hand these out to everyone at my gigs.

[Stretch]

I leave about half of the back side blank
for notes. Avoid complicated type, avoid serfs and script, avoid tiny type, keep it easy to read. include area codes (duh - I know, but in days of old, in my locale we didn't use an area code much, and so most people left them off. Guess what, now we HAVE to use an area code just to call across the street.)

If you can hold the card at arms length and still tell what the graphic is all about, you are probably ok. If your graphic requires a magnifing glass to understand, well, you better include a maginifing glass with every card!

Beyond that, does the card REALLY reflect you - your passion, your gift to humanity?

Remember, you never have the last card, so don't print 50,000 of them on the first run. You'll want to change them with in two weeks of getting your order printed.

Good luck!

[Peter G]

I would agree with stephon about leaving one side blank.

When I am designing a piece of marketing, I always try to ask, "What is the point of this piece? What action do I expect the person receiving this to take?"

In the case of a business card, I think there are two important points -

1. To remind the person who has it who you are - Becuase of this a photo is an excellent idea. There is nothing worse than someone who calls you and says, " I found your card in pocket...Who were you again?"

2.To give contact info - I have started including only my toll free number, email and website on my business cards. This way I can order large amount and not worry about moving.

But ultimately I don't think business cards need to try to close a sale. The extra info you give is probably better given live on the phone where you can *get* more info before you *give* more info. This way you can tailor your pitch to the clients needs, instead of trying to guess ahead of time who you will be handing your card to.

Worst case senario something you have on the card discourages the person from calling you.

Of course this may be different if you think someone who hasn't met you is going to end up with your card. Then I think you might be able to make the case that the card really needs to act an a mini brochure - that it needs to include a pitch along with the other info. In this case, I might suggest two different cards - one for people you meet and one for those who do not know you at all.

best of luck

Peter

[Doctor Eric]

Serfs, to the fields!

Originally posted by Stretch
Avoid complicated type, avoid serfs and script, avoid tiny type, keep it easy to read.

"Avoid serfs, white slavery on your buisiness card is never a good idea."

I'd totally agree with every thing in Stretch's sentence except for the serifs. Every typographer can tell you that countless amounts of money have been wasted on studies that repeatedly say that serifed fonts read quicker and easier than sans-serifed fonts, although every one seems to hate it these days, there is nothing wrong with Times New Roman.

[Lynneski]

I will second the good Dr., serif fonts are easier on the eyes, easier to follow. Especially if you've got text in some graphical format (like wrapped around a circle, for example), serif fonts are more easily interpreted in non-linear applications.

Stay away from red and green, as that's the most prevalent colour-blindness (and it's esthetically offensive). I was told by a client to also steer away from purple & blue together (such as purple text on blue background) and any other low-contrast colour combo, if you intend to give your cards to anyone over 50.

And unless you're really well-geared, don't print them yourself. Nothing screams "chintzy" like pre-perf'ed edges or ink-jet stutters.

[Doctor Eric]

Originally posted by Lynneski
Stay away from red and green, as that's the most prevalent colour-blindness (and it's esthetically offensive).

Never thought of that before Lynneski (Well that color blind part, I already knew it was ugly as sin) it's good to know.

[naturalturn]

Thanks very much!

Everybody made some excellent points about fonts and the how's and why's of designing a card. I especially liked your comments Lynneski regarding color choice.

This is probably where the expertise of a professional graphic artist or designer would come in handy, someone who really understands how colors and fonts work together to achieve a company's mission statement.

Any views on tent-fold type business cards or 3 fold brochure-style business cards. As a 'marketing gimmick' and a way of getting them to remember me, I'm also thinking of incorporating a trick "built into the business card" (perhaps a mind reading, visual-optical illusion, or number trick that I would perform for them on the spot, or even over the phone when they call). Is this too tacky?!

Any other thoughts on business card designs are welcomed and thank you again!

naturalturn

Ray Wong Magic Entertainment
When Magic Went WONG!

https://www.raywongmagic.com

[Doctor Eric]

In my opinion, gimmicky buisiness cards = gimmicky performers, and if the trick you're talking about is that Kenton Knepper thing... good luck

[naturalturn]

Hmm... thanks Doc

I'll seriously have to reconsider.

naturalturn

https://www.raywongmagic.com

[Aaron Martini]

I suggest that you put my name and phone number
on the card.

Aaron Martini

[Stephon]

Maybe we should post our business cards, so everyone can get and idea of what works (or what doesn't). Critiquing could be an option.

I'll start.

[Butterfly Man]

gimmicky buisiness cards = gimmicky performers

I'm not so sure I agree with the good doctor on this one ... (though I agree with him on most everything else) ...

I've seen a plethora of performer business cards in my life (in fact I have a massive collection) and when done tastefully they can set a performer apart.

Eg: Mr. Moon in CHCH had one of the best cards I have ever seen and it had a picture of the moon on it which if you set in on a table you could pop the moon out and it would stand up by itself ... way cool.

and more recently the "Handsome Little Devils" sent me their new promo and while their whole package was extraordinarily brilliant (except maybe their video) they had a business card that blended in with their folder and could easily be popped out ... way cool also, I thought.

[pablo]

Speaking of the Devils...

I haven't seen their business card, but I met The Handsome Little Devils last summer at Chicago's Busker Fest, and they are both very nice guys to work with. Hope I see them again.