Business Cards for Musicians and Artists
Nikki wrote:
I’m trying to design business cards for couple of “starving artists”. They’ve asked me to include links to their facebook and myspace profiles. Is this appropriate? Do you have any tips on business card layouts for entertainers and visual artists?
Nikki, you should check out local food banks. Business cards are an expensive way to get your starving friends some fiber in their diet! (sorry, that was admittedly lame)
As for FaceBook and MySpace, that depends on who they plan to buy their art, and their target demographic. I looked at your site, and it seems like your artists include musicians. For musicians, MySpace is totally appropriate. FaceBook? Leave that to the college students. However, a blog is a great idea. Even MC Hammer has a blog! (Poor guy needs to buy a real camera, but other than that it’s cool.)
So keep the MySpace and drop the FaceBook.
As for layouts, those 1999 rapper bling cd covers are cool I would stick to something timeless that tells a story. You’ve gotta remember that nobody knows your upcoming artists. This is the perfect place for a business card. Make sure it tells the story in it’s move favorable light.
The back of the business card is the perfect place for a small picture and a little paragraph about how growing up on the rough streets of NYC has played such a vital role in making Threepac the rapper he is today!
Good luck with the new designs, send me an email and I’ll post them when you finish.
Business Cards for a Window Blind Company
Eric wrote:This comes at no better timing. I just had a thought recently about an idea but I was wondering if think this would work or not. I have a site which you can see and check out at http://www.primoblinds.com and I am interested in making a business card for this site, but the site itself is just strictly content and sharing quality information for people researching or looking into purchasing window blinds.With all that said, I was wondering what kind of idea would you have to only make a business card, but I was thinking of going to home shows and passing them out there.Do you have any clever ideas, suggestions or thoughts. On what to put on the card, and how to go about passing them out. Do you think this idea would work well?
Eric, thanks for the questions. Clever ideas? I’m full of it them! However, I don’t know if your home shows is the best idea for distribution of business cards for a content site.
Here is how I see it:
Business Cards: $50/1000
Time to distribute: 10-20 hours (probably more)
Percentage of consumers that will actually visit the site: 20%
Cost per visitor: $.25
However, for those 200 or so visitors, they’re not all buyers. Some are curious about your website, some just thought it was cool that they got a business card, and some have no life and just like the internet.
Out of those 200 visitors, I would guesstimate that about 50 are buyers. That brings your cost per visitor up to $1.00 per qualified lead. That doesn’t take into account that you spent a few full days passing these cards out!
Now lets factor in 3 days worth of time (most home shows run Friday - Sunday). You’ll be there at least 8 hours each day if you want to distribute 1k business cards. We’ll also assume your time is woth $10 an hour. So that’s 24 hours x $10/hr = $240
Actual cost per visitor: $5.80!
If I were in your shoes, I would check with Adwords because I’m sure you can get a few clicks in the window blinds industry for much less than that. You might also want to spread some keywords into the home improvement sector.
Should you get business cards for your window blinds site? I would say No Way!
Business Cards for a Proxy Website
Numb3rs wrote:
What would be a good succesful business card for a Free Proxy site?
Thanks for the question Numb3rs. As for proxies and business cards, you probably just shouldn’t. Proxies are disposable. Especially since your target audience is generally students who are trying to get around school firewalls and filters.
The best way to market your proxy is not through business cards, but word of mouth. Try something viral and save your business card money for something else.
Thanks!
Who else wants a free business card related link?
Business Cards for a Marketing Career
Lee wrote:
I’m transitioning from a finance career to a marketing career - I don’t have any direct marketing experience - wondering what to put on my business card besides degrees (mba, bcomm) etc. in since my previous experience is directly related to marketing.
Also - any suggestions on dual purpose business cards for a person in career transition- I’ve seen calendars, nametag designs etc printed on the backs of cards.
Lee, thanks for the question, career changes scare me. I don’t envy your position right now, but hopefully the marketing career will be a better fit for you!
I might need a little more clarification, so feel free to leave a comment.
For a marketing career, your business cards should be professional, but they need to set you apart. Think somewhere between a lawyers business cards and those of a substitute teacher (without the clipart of course).
Your business cards should be clear and concise about what you do, but they should also feature a tagline or some wording that will make you memorable. Try the following on for size:
Lee’s Marketing Agency - We’ll make you famous. (Some people don’t want to be famous, so make sure this fits your clientèle.)
Call me for a free marketing idea, and I’ll show you why I’m the best. (You’d better be creative.)
Small marketing budget? No problem.
Ready for a branding shift? We’re the experts.
Those may not be ideal for you, but they should get the creative mind working. You do have a creative mind right?
Let me know via a comment if you want some follow up, or shoot me another email.
Who’s next, send me a business card question and get a free link!
Business Cards for a Business Student
Josh wrote:
What kind of business card would you recommend for the average business student?
Josh, thanks for the question! At first glance I thought, “Why would a student need a business card?” Then I realized you might have just wanted a free link! Hopefully you’ve already been taught my advice in that fancy business college you’re going to. Harvard Business School did you say? Don’t forget me when you’re rich!
Anyways, the only reason I could think that a business student would need a business card would be to court potential employers. If that’s the case I have a few ideas for you that will turn your business card into a mini-resume.
1. List your GPA, assuming you are a better student than I was.
2. Show your affiliations, schools, degrees, etc.
3. Tell them how appropriate for the job you are. You look older than you are, right?
I think the mini-resume is really the way to go. Those three ideas may not be ideal for you, but with a little brainstorming, you should have a perfect line or two that will be irresistible for that new employer!