Another business card check

[Road2Show]

I've been seeing several threads about business cards, so it got me playing with mine. I was not at all happy with my current cards, so I'm trying a bit new look.

any of these variations worthy? Any thoughts on any of them? One thing I'm rtying to do is make it clear that I do more than just sports photography. I've been contemplating a revised business name to reflect that as well, but that's another topic.

I'd appreciate any comments on these, and which (if any) you like.

(1) http://road2show.com/08cardtest1.jpg


(2) http://road2show.com/08cardtest2.jpg


(3) http://road2show.com/08cardtest3.jpg


Here is the header I've been running on my web site for comparison. I will change soon too, but no solid direction and I need some new cards.
http://road2show.com/images/top1.jpg

[djscrib]

Looks like you're a tire dealership or something. Or a tire mechanic. That tireprint pretty much dominates the entire thing.

[Road2Show]

LOL! Well, that's cvertainly not the right impression now is it! That hadn't even crossed my mind until you said it...that's all I'll now DOH

[djscrib]

Glance at the picture for a fraction of a second and look away. Then try to recall what you remember about the image. That's the "subconcious" impression people will get about a card. In your case the eyes are drawn to the tire and the word Road.

[Road2Show]

Glance at the picture for a fraction of a second and look away. Then try to recall what you remember about the image. That's the "subconcious" impression people will get about a card. In your case the eyes are drawn to the tire and the word Road.

I totally see that now. I've managed to reinforce the concept of "road" with the tire track (or vice-versa) Too bad I didn't do that on purpose!

Here is the other idea I've been playing with.

http://road2show.com/08cardtest4.jpg

Mike

[plattepro]

Better, at least now you get an idea of the kind of work you do. Idea: You could still use the tire tracks on the sides of the photos instead of the film lines.

[djscrib]

Looks better. Although a couple issues with your wording.

"Enjoy The Road"

It looks neat in cursive, but really adds nothing useful to the card whatsoever. I would actually say it detracts from it.

"Road2Show Photo"

Kind of sounds like a photo development shop. E.G. Quick-E-Photo, or 24 Hour Photo, etc.

In fact there is nothing on the card that actually mentions you in fact do photograpy.

Personally I'd go with "Mike H Photography" and ditch all the road crap.

[Road2Show]

Good feedback. Thanks.

I'm not sure I'm ready to ditch the complete name. Road2Show Photo has some brand recongnition after a couple years of action. the name has it's roots in minor league baseball, though I've always done other types of shooting as well. the path and steps through the minor league system are commonly referred to as the road to the "show". When you make it to the majors, you've made it to the "show". Thre is this whole philisophical side to it being applied to other things as well.

Admitedly, it has caused some confusion and thus my consideration of new ideas. I had a thread posted a few weeks ago about this, but I let the thread die due to some less than helpful responses. Where I think I'm headed is towards running a different name in parallel with the R2SP name that has been built some. It may eventually fully transition, but I don't know.

Back to the slogan...I'm not opposed to dropping the Tag line. I guess I had it there initially to invoke some thought as to just what the heck that meant. Maybe it's just there for no reason though, and if it detracts, it shouldn't be there for sure. What if I changed it to something like "Photography for all occasions" or "complete photographic services" or something else reflecting the photography side?

Back to the alternative names; The "Mike H Photography" name is one I really considered, but it just doesn't have the right feeling to me. I often go by Michael, and that variation could work, but the last name has always been confusing and misspelled so I can't see using that. Other ideas have included; Michael Huff Photography, MH Photography, MAH Photography, KMH Concepts (this was actually a name my wife and I used on a venture about 15 years ago). R2 Photography was suggested at one point, and that had a good ring to it but I wasn't sure how to build some branding around it. A whole bunch of other things I can't remember right now.

sorry for the long reply, but maye this helps a bit from where I'm coming from.

Mike

[Road2Show]

I'm hoping to get a few more comments on this, but in the mean time I wanted to add one more thing.

One reason I went more with a company name, rather than a personal name like Mike H Phot is to give the impression of an operation larger than one person. Doing sports events, I'll often have additional shooters. I always wanted/want the name to sound as big as possible.

[Hikin Mike]

I have a few minutes...

While you may like the tag line and people that are familiar with the minors may "get it"...most of us don't and I think it detracts from the card.

I'm not sure about your "logo font", but you said you've been in business for a few years so you may just leave it.

The website looks like you just put it in because it has room.

Keep trying...:D

[Road2Show]

I have a few minutes...

While you may like the tag line and people that are familiar with the minors may "get it"...most of us don't and I think it detracts from the card.

I'm not sure about your "logo font", but you said you've been in business for a few years so you may just leave it.

The website looks like you just put it in because it has room.

Keep trying...:D

Mike, thanks for the comments.

When you mention the webiste looks like I just put it in because it has room, are you speaking specifically to the tag line? (BTW, I really dislike my website right now, and an overhaul is imminent) I really have no problem dropping the tag line, especially if it detracts. Frankly, I just did it last time. I don't thikn I ever really asked for much feedback. (I know, big mistake) There was some guidance around the colors, etc. of the primary name but not the tag.

As for the font, I'd love to hear further thoughts on that. I'm not tied to it. The name recognition has started, but I don't thnk it's tied to the font that much. I personally think the font is probably too hard-edged, and has the risk of not being well received by women. I need to fix that, as it's the little league mom's that I want in many cases.

Any and all discussion here is very valuable to me. Thank you.

[Hikin Mike]

No, not the actually website, just the text "Road2Show.com" on your business card. It just looks out of place, IMO.

Nothing really wrong with the font, it just looks kind of like a car/automotive font to me. Maybe because I've seen your first card and it just screamed "car" to me...and that's a good thing because I'm into cars myself!

[Road2Show]

Ok, I see...I've been playing with the font a bit. I'll likely just put in in the same font as the name, numbers, etc. funny you mention automotive. It might be from thefirst card, but I think that was in the intent of the font. It's call HemiHead426. :)

Mike

[Hikin Mike]

It's call HemiHead426. :)

Mike

Cool! I've got a '68 Coronet, sadly no Hemi though! http://www.thebackcountry.org/images/smileys/moparsmiley.gif

I'm in the middle of a project right now, but if I have a few minutes, I can play around a bit if you want me to.

[Road2Show]

By all means Mike! I'd appreciate any new set of eyes on this.

Mike

[sevillafox]

I still like the idea of r-squared photography.

[Jamie Holladay]

I totally see that now. I've managed to reinforce the concept of "road" with the tire track (or vice-versa) Too bad I didn't do that on purpose!

Here is the other idea I've been playing with.

http://road2show.com/08cardtest4.jpg

Mike
Of the ones you posted I like this one. I thought when I first saw the others and you header that you were going to be primarily automotive and motorsports photog. Of course I am a photog so I got that. I don't think the first ones would communicate well with the general public.

[sevillafox]

Ok, so I'm no designer and just banged this out really quickly but here's an idea....

[Road2Show]

I still like the idea of r-squared photography.


I like that too Tiffany. One problem is that I've checked several variations of the URL, and they are taken. I think its pretty important to have the .com registration, and better yet, .net, .biz, etc. There was one, R2Images that didn't appear real active. I might hit up the owner.

Mike

[Road2Show]

Of the ones you posted I like this one. I thought when I first saw the others and you header that you were going to be primarily automotive and motorsports photog. Of course I am a photog so I got that. I don't think the first ones would communicate well with the general public.


Thanks for the feedback Jamie. I think I've pretty much ruled out those first versions. It seems to bring some good reactions, but at the same time, its become a bit limiting.

Cheers

[Road2Show]

Ok, so I'm no designer and just banged this out really quickly but here's an idea....


Ok, be careful...you'll have me heading down yet another road with that new name! I think it has a LOT of possibilities.

Mike

[Hikin Mike]

Here a "quickie"...

[Road2Show]

Here a "quickie"...


Oh man, what a difference that font change makes! It's a much more "friendly" look and feel compared to the somewhat harsh approach I had going.

I could probably even work up something with the R2 idea Tiffany had as a logo/watermark that tied back to this.

I appreciate you taking the time to do this. I'm also going to give the images some more thought. I wasn't quite as concerned with the opacity knocked back. I thin kthese are OK, but there are certainly some options. Nice thing about these thoough is I can easily get model release on the three recognizables.

Cheers!!

[Hikin Mike]

Thanks Mike. Here's the white version....

[Road2Show]

The white looks good too. I think the graay version is a little softer on the eyes...at least on my LCD

[sevillafox]

Ok, be careful...you'll have me heading down yet another road with that new name! I think it has a LOT of possibilities.

Mike

I think if you went with that idea you could even do square business cards. I think "figmented" has square ones (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4446980&postcount=30)but I'm pretty sure that he works at a printing shop and did them himself. I think you could have a lot of fun with squares too as far as packaging and even push "square" crops on the pics as kind of a trademark photo type.

[Road2Show]

Tiffany, there are certainly a lot of posibilities iwth that. I've got to kick that around a bit more for sure.

Thanks

[figmented]

Ya, I get so many compliments about my business card. It's very simple, square, to the point. No photos on it. Depends how you want to look.. clean.. modern..classy..tacky.. etc.. The above card designs are a lil tacky to me, they just seem so busy and detract from wanting to look at it. Less is more sometimes. Try using some more color, like the background..

As for my cards, I did do them myself, but they are basically regular printed sized cards but designed to have 1.5inches cut off, and then use a scrapbook corner rounder or not..(i used a bigger one that we normally use to round car magnetics)

Thanks for the remembrance, Tiffany. :)

[figmented]

I don't have your logo, plus im just playin anyways.. have you decided on a logo? or a look? You are changing your logo on the card way too many times, figure out your logo before creating all this stuff, you'll make double work for yourself.

http://slantphoto.com/road2show/road2show-d1.jpg

[Pete W]

I really like the version Mike has done for you..
With the four pictures how about putting the bike first with the Guitarist last, sort of ties in better to the name "Road2Show"

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=234608&stc=1&d=1200031320

[Road2Show]

I don't have your logo, plus im just playin anyways.. have you decided on a logo? or a look? You are changing your logo on the card way too many times, figure out your logo before creating all this stuff, you'll make double work for yourself.




Sorry, I had missed these responses. This is an intersting approach. I like the concept. Regarding your comment on the logo changing, thats a bit of this process too. I've had the logo I originally showed...like what you used here...for some time now. The only thing that has prompted me to look at it has been to make it a bit more "friendly" I've had some comment that the logo design is far to masculine and might put off woemn buyers some. That's not good. I need little-league mom's to be comfortable.

Thanks

[Road2Show]

I really like the version Mike has done for you..
With the four pictures how about putting the bike first with the Guitarist last, sort of ties in better to the name "Road2Show"



This was a great idea that Tiffany referenced in another post. I'm printing a small batch of these with a white BG and the pictures changed as suggested. I'll start with that and see where this leads.

Thanks