Business cards

14 years ago

Vistaprint is good, just creat an account and wait for them to send you coupons for free stuff.

If you're willing to spend a little more for quality, 4by6.com is great.

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positivemagic

14 years ago

Does business cards really work? Do people really keep them and call you back?

Isabella Fiorentino

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dsprank 14 years ago

Originally Posted by positivemagic

Does business cards really work? Do people really keep them and call you back?

Isabella Fiorentino

You would be surprised how long some people keep them. After being in the car business for years and three dealerships, I still get calls from people that have kept my card from the first one occasional. That was 5 years ago when I worked at that one.

It doesn't happen all the time, but it sure is nice to get an unexpected call from a previous customer that is interested. Just a great reason in itself to get business cards.
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- Jerry McGough 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by dsprank
  
  You would be surprised how long some people keep them.
  
  I have an engraving business (commercial signage & industrial) that I started about 25 years ago. The first year I handed out solid brass business cards....engraved of course.
  Had a call from one of those about five years ago....as in twenty years later.
  Got a nice regular account out of it....
  
  Make them as unique as possible. QR codes might get some good results. Good conversation piece.....traffic.....and shows you're progressive and with the times.
  
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bob ross

14 years ago

I personally love business cards. If you're doing any offline work, I think it's a necessity just to show some added credibility.

A nice business card that feels solid and is designed well (not a vistaprint one) is a good representation of your brand and quality of service.

Gotprint.com will print 1,000 of them for around $20 total and the quality is a lot better than vistaprint. They just don't have the fancy templates that vista does.

vistaprints printing quality sucks and the card stock is very thin and flimsy. I can spot a vistaprint card a mile away. My business partner refused to use anyone but vista at one point because he loved the "custom design" he made. He went to order supplies (we own a remodeling company) and he saw another contractor using the same background design as his.

If you're doing anything offline I think a business card is pretty important to have.

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Musicmoneyman

14 years ago

Business cards should definitely be a part of your advertising. And they do work. I've actually called a few businesses from old business cards.

Originally Posted by bob ross

Gotprint.com will print 1,000 of them for around $20 total and the quality is a lot better than vistaprint. They just don't have the fancy templates that vista does.

I will have to check out Gotprint!

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rugman

14 years ago

These are actually for my rug cleaning biz. And yes - people still keep and use them. Just picked up a nice little job today from one of my cards.

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jenncruz 14 years ago

Originally Posted by rugman

These are actually for my rug cleaning biz. And yes - people still keep and use them. Just picked up a nice little job today from one of my cards.

Yup, biz cards are completely necessary. Not as much as they used to be, but still an important tool.

As mentioned above, GotPrint is my favorite place for printing. Avoid Vistaprint, their paper sucks and you can clearly tell that a business went on the cheap.
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iAmNameLess

14 years ago

Yeah...

They don't necessarily mean a whole lot anymore, a website is like an interactive business card, but that doesn't mean to ignore it. Even if it is for the point of appearances, business cards are necessary.

I'd recommend checking out Online Printing Services | Trusted Printing Company | PrintPlace.com

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dsprank

14 years ago

Originally Posted by iAmNameLess

Yeah...

They don't necessarily mean a whole lot anymore, a website is like an interactive business card, but that doesn't mean to ignore it. Even if it is for the point of appearances, business cards are necessary.

I'd recommend checking out Online Printing Services | Trusted Printing Company | PrintPlace.com

True, but they are what people use to remember how to get to the website. If they don't remember the name of the company, or who they had worked with, how are they supposed to remember the website.

I'll bet if you looked at many of the business owners that you are working with, you would find that more of them have a rolodex with business cards in them than not.

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printchesco

14 years ago

Business cards do work as marketing and networking tools. The trick is to invest in good quality printing and materials so your contacts will be able to keep your cards for a long period of time.

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apurvmat

14 years ago

I've got myself some killer business cards made and they definitely leave an impression. It's not necessary, but it's just another tool in your arsenal to make the client feel that you take enough care to present your business well.

If you decide to get one, don't go for mediocre, make it awesome

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joeyreyes

14 years ago

Yes, business card is an important marketing tool. It's the secret of reaching your audience.

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Doran Peck

14 years ago

Something I wrote on the subject a while back...

The Business Card Ninja; "Outplay your opponent every time"
You are free to agree or disagree with the following statments, but if your business card is to ever become a significant lead generating mechanism, then you will want to read on with an open mind in the ways of the business card ninja.
The existence of your business card has one purpose; to generate business. Your opponent...otherwise known as your competition, also has a business card and he intends to capture your prospect with it.
Your opponent has however, unwittingly placed himself at a disadvantage. He has spent much preparation and taken great care on the look of his logo, his name and contact information, and the quality of his card.. believing these to be the strength of his attack. He believes his card is a symbol which represents the professionalism of him and his company.
He nailed one thing solidly. His card looks of high quality and he will likewise be perceived as such. If his card looks better than yours, he will have an upper hand. The thing about a business card ninja is ...well, he's a ninja, and ninja's know how to find the weakness of the opponent and turn it into ...a handy set of nun-chucks to clobber an opponent with. What your opponent failed to realize is that the prospect doesn't give a rat about what someones logo looks like, or what their name is. A prospect just wants someone to solve his problem. That's it. Nothing else.
The Business card ninja therefore understands that the only element on a business card of any value, is the item which convinces the prospect he has found his solution.
Until that moment occurs, every thing else on the card especially the contact info, is completely irrelevent.

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jubril58

14 years ago

yea Vistaprint is legit.. I have not used business cards in YEARSSSS. I kinda wish i had em for dropbox to win stuff lol.

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los s

14 years ago

moocards is the best , good price

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ilovemedia 14 years ago

PrintPlace is a good commercial printer to order your business cards from. We provide low cost and high quality printing services, and you have the choice from either standard or custom specifications.
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gentryliving

14 years ago

Business cards are good for offline business. In a way to contact you.

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iInvent 14 years ago

I usually go with Vistaprint but I will have to check GotPrint.
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Meyowza

14 years ago

I have a special for this month on business cards:
Meyowza Inc - Monthly Special

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rugman 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Meyowza

I have a special for this month on business cards:
Meyowza Inc - Monthly Special

Looks like a goo deal - do you have pre-done designs?
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- Meyowza 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by rugman
  
  Looks like a goo deal - do you have pre-done designs?
  
  Here's the online design tool. Find your industry, then your niche.
  https://secure.meyowzaprint.com/eond.../businesscards
  
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dropbear

14 years ago

business cards are only a useful marketing tool if they are innovative and catch the recipients eye..Otherwise they end up in a heap in the top drawer..Take a look around for innovative designs that match your industry..
eonlineprinting.com does 1000 business cards for around $40..double sided, full color and with a UV coating..

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beeswarn

14 years ago

Business cards aren't marketing tools. At least, if they are then they're very ineffective tools. But you still need them from time to time.

Every source is different. Local shops charge too much for design, ink, paper and printing and they take too long to do it. Online suppliers advertise low prices but murder you with inflated shipping & handling charges.

In my recent experience, Vistaprint gave me horrible customer service. Maybe they're better with other people, but I have no evidence to draw such a conclusion.

The best way to make business cards is to do it myself on my own office equipment. I don't save money this way, but I save time and I have them when I need them.

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Meyowza

14 years ago

Originally Posted by beeswarn

Business cards aren't marketing tools. At least, if they are then they're very ineffective tools. But you still need them from time to time.

Every source is different. Local shops charge too much for design, ink, paper and printing and they take too long to do it. Online suppliers advertise low prices but murder you with inflated shipping & handling charges.

In my recent experience, Vistaprint gave me horrible customer service. Maybe they're better with other people, but I have no evidence to draw such a conclusion.

The best way to make business cards is to do it myself on my own office equipment. I don't save money this way, but I save time and I have them when I need them.

I'd hate to say it, but people do judge your professionalism if you hand them a business card that was clearly printed on a home computer. Yes, local print shops charge a lot for design, paper and ink. And sometimes take a long time to get them done, but at least they'll look good. You should be able to find a local print shop to do them in about 3 days.

Vistaprint does offer you great prices but do kill you on the shipping. But that shouldn't prevent you from looking for another online printer. Sure it takes longer but the quality will be good and the price too.

For example...I sell 1000 16pt card stock, color both sides, UV both sides for around $36 shipped. I don't find that murderous especially when I offer free design online (in browser design tools with 1000's of templates to choose from) and production notification from start to finish with shipping tracking codes.

If you think $36 shipped is too much then Im also offering a March Special for 14pt, non coated, color both sides for around $29 shipped.

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Meyowza 14 years ago

BTW. Im not trying to sell you my products. Just pointing out the buying online is a lot more cost effective than you think. There are companies out there that are even less expensive than my prices. All Im saying is with a little planning and patience you may grab someones attention better with a better quality business card than handing them a flimsily card with perforation marks on all 4 sides.
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PeckhamPirate

14 years ago

Slightly off subject, but I wanted to share this as it works really well with Mom and Pop stores and old school service providers.

I do local in Brazil where most business owners are pretty green about using the internet. In fact moist don't even have a website / Google Places...

I use a card that looks like Google search results.
My name in Bold blue just below a Google logo and a fake search box with the words your business here.
Then my website address in green and a few lines about the services I provide in black below.

It's working really nicely so far...

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beeswarn

14 years ago

Originally Posted by PeckhamPirate

I use a card that looks like Google search results.
My name in Bold blue just below a Google logo and a fake search box with the words your business here.
Then my website address in green and a few lines about the services I provide in black below.

It's working really nicely so far...

How do you justify using someone else's clearly trademarked logo or service mark to market your services?

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PeckhamPirate 14 years ago

I don't really care. the logo helps of course, but I want the card to look like a search result.
That grabs attention and that's enough.
Here in Brazil it's quite common to have a board with business cards in restaurants, office foyers and shopping malls.

This method works cos it gets attention from people who generally are aware of the potential of offline but lack the skills to do it themselves or have someone do it for them.

I'm operatin in a very wild west situation and unsubtle works for me. Of course when the Big G comes a'knocking I'll be happy to switch design.
Untill them 'make hay while the sun shines' innit.
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aaallday2010

14 years ago

Originally Posted by PeckhamPirate

Slightly off subject, but I wanted to share this as it works really well with Mom and Pop stores and old school service providers.

I do local in Brazil where most business owners are pretty green about using the internet. In fact moist don't even have a website / Google Places...

I use a card that looks like Google search results.
My name in Bold blue just below a Google logo and a fake search box with the words your business here.
Then my website address in green and a few lines about the services I provide in black below.

It's working really nicely so far...

Nice idea. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks

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beeswarn

14 years ago

Meyowza, you can't tell my cards are printed on a home printer because they aren't. I said I made them on my own equipment and they don't show perforation marks because they don't have any.

I'm sure you do good work, though, so good luck continuing to make your sales presentation in this thread.

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SEO Jerry

14 years ago

Originally Posted by rugman

I need to get some - best place? I thought I saw some warriors with some good deals but can't seem to find the posts.

Man, I buy mine from Moo.com The cards they send from the image I provide (you design your own card) are the best I have ever seen from any provider, and that includes the thousands of cards I have been given in my life.

And the cards feel good in your fingers, too. Again, the best, and no, I am not associated with the company. Just a happy customer.

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Meyowza

14 years ago

Originally Posted by SEO Jerry

Man, I buy mine from Moo.com The cards they send from the image I provide (you design your own card) are the best I have ever seen from any provider, and that includes the thousands of cards I have been given in my life.

And the cards feel good in your fingers, too. Again, the best, and no, I am not associated with the company. Just a happy customer.

I like how moo allows for every card to be different in that lot. Cost alot, but imagine spreading your cards out face down and letting people choose their favorite cards.

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Brian Alaway

14 years ago

This may change your perspective on business cards:
http://www.inc.com/ss/10-most-creative-business-cards#3

I'm in the process of designing and ordering here:
MorningPrint - Plastic Business Cards - Full Color Printing - Clear, White, Silver, Gold, Opaque & more,,

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camitran1

14 years ago

Hi,
In my opinion, Business cards are very important when you do business. I'm not a fan of VistaPrint - their cards are thinner and smaller than normal cards.

Go here for some business card offers from legitimate companies, no ads:
http://www.businesscarddesign.com/fr...ess-cards.html

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Meyowza

14 years ago

with beeswarn blessing...

EXTRA EXTRA Don't print you business cards on your "office" equipment in your spare bedroom! Get off your wallet and get them done professionally!

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Sharon Trainor

14 years ago

I think custom Business cards are essential.
I still have some cards I've kept from years ago that I'm
hanging onto 'just in case'...

In addition to leaving them around town etc., another good
idea is to put one in the envelope every time you pay a bill,
or do any type of correspondence. You just never know who's
hands it will fall in to =)

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Meyowza

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Sharon Trainor

I think custom Business cards are essential.
I still have some cards I've kept from years ago that I'm
hanging onto 'just in case'...

In addition to leaving them around town etc., another good
idea is to put one in the envelope every time you pay a bill,
or do any type of correspondence. You just never know who's
hands it will fall in to =)

I agree. Whats funny is my company does mobile marketing through the use of SMS and QR Codes. Even with all this cool technology, It can't even be used if it's not printed on something someone can see. My business cards feature both technologies.

So what I'm saying is if you can showcase what you can do with creative design, then your business card can be a mini-billboard.

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mikelukjaniec

14 years ago

Try multileveldevil.com

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printchesco

14 years ago

PrintPlace.com is definitely a good place to check out, especially if you're looking for high quality prints but need to stay on budget. You can look through the site to see all of the different products and even read through different articles that would help you with your printing and marketing.

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Jaks

14 years ago

Hey!
You pay only for shipping and for any product upgrades that you make to the product. If you want to get your business cards faster, expedited delivery is also available for an additional charge.
:p:p:p

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onthebox

14 years ago

Not sure what all the fuss is about. Seems obvious to me. If you want to grow an offline business a business card is essential. But you need a forum to share your business card with people who will promote your business for you. I have joined the local Chamber of Commerce and at our business lunch at the local pub, everyone exchanges business cards. I have designed my own card with a QR code Vcard on it. This has become a great talking point with fellow business colleagues and the "novelty" factor is a selling point for me. My business card is distinctive and different. If you just give out your card randomly, this is not effective. In a business forum this can be very powerful.

I designed my card simply with Publisher, printed myself with a card program from the stationery shop Staples and hey presto! Very effective and powerful. Doesn't have to be expensive - just need to be distinctive. QR code Vcard - works everytime for me

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AussieT

14 years ago

You guys are very fortunate. Printing is much cheaper for you guys than here in Australia. 1,000 business cards for $99 would be considered cheap here from what I have seen.

Any Aussies know of any good cheaper places to get B/cards?

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bob ross

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AussieT

You guys are very fortunate. Printing is much cheaper for you guys than here in Australia. 1,000 business cards for $99 would be considered cheap here from what I have seen.

Any Aussies know of any good cheaper places to get B/cards?

$81 you can get them shipped from gotprint.com, I just checked.

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Hania12

14 years ago

This message very useful i like it very much nice work keep it up.... business card is one of the most important......

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Eugene Celestine

14 years ago

A piece of advice. Don't forget to sell your services at the back of the card and also encouraging people to visit your site. As a Consultant, you've to use every medium to market yourself and you never can tell which medium will bring more sales.

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TheEnlightenedBeing1

14 years ago

Yes, I guess physical business cards still work, they don't need batteries and carry a personal touch. That's the point I guess.

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prismkuet

14 years ago

Business card is a good tool for offline marketing. Many people keep that for long days and call back when they feel the service as necessary. It's better to design the card different than traditional. Put some important point regarding your service in the back side. thats worthy.

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Adwizard

14 years ago

A coupon offer or special discount by presenting this card with order works very well to get people to hold on to your card. I have done that for years with much success! Remember have some call to action on your card like nearly all printed material.

Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android

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Tania Edwards

14 years ago

Do you guys believe business cards work well?

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Doran Peck 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Tania Edwards

Do you guys believe business cards work well?

Without question they do.

BUT

You have to do more with them than just put your contact info on them....that stuff is completely irrelevant.

The most important thing on the card should be the the thing that actually motivates them to contact you ...ONLY THEN does your contact info mean anything.

If all you've got is contact info...then your strategy is " sit, wait and hope"... you pretty much can't find a more worthless strategy.

A business card is advertising space...it should be treated as such...the same rules apply to them that apply anywhere else you are trying to get people to contact you.

Amazingly this is a concept very few people can get into their head.
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