business cards

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a metallic business card to promote myself. It comes pretty hefty at around 2.50 euro per card. Has anybody used a fancy card to promote themselves? Have they found that it improves bookings?

Business cards won't get you bookings. Your work will get you bookings.

Who's your clientele?
What's your average revenue per gig / shoot?
How many business cards do you hang out in a month or year?

If you're sending these out with an elaborate mailer, then 2.50 euro seems fine. If you're giving this out to high school seniors, you're probably never going to see a return.

A friend of mine did a massive mailer back in 2010, and again in 2014. The average revenue per gig for him more than pays for sending these mailers out to 100 agencies and decision makers in his immediate area. If he had mailed out a fancy 2.50 Euro business card to each of these potential clients, it may have gotten him a second look from more people than just sending a mass email. But going above and beyond with a mailer like this got him way more work than just a fancy business card.

You need to know your clientele, and know what will get their attention. A business card can definitely be part of the package, but shouldn't be relied on to land you bookings.

^ Great advice.

I have what I consider to be nice business cards; in fact, they won an award for the designer that designed and produced them. Heavy card stock/letterpress printed and two edges are embossed like the edge of a paper napkin. The design is repeated in 5X5 note cards that I use to say 'thanks' after a project is completed. Whenever I hand out my cards, they always get a very positive reaction. As stated above though, in and of themselves they're a very limited part of my overall marketing program....an important one, but only a part.

Business cards are fast becoming a thing of the past There is a little bit of nostalgia in them for some people, and it is important to have one, if for nothing else, to lend a tiny bit of legitimacy to your efforts. However, the reality is that they end up in the trash can.

Your money could be better spent.

First of all, apologies, I didn't mean that the business card would get me booked, I wanted to mean that it could help me get them by showing a high quality product associated to my brand (apart from the photographs, of course?

I see all your points here and I understand them. I do have a nice business card in paper, but I wanted to do something special for those customers that you really feel "good" about. That you want to show them that you care about quality. Of course I agree with you that the main thing that will get you bookings is your work, but something extra, something unusual, helps catching an eye. I have always loved a good business card.

My primary objective would be for wedding clients, people I have the initial meeting with about their wedding, and that I feel that the card would help nudge them towards me. I am starting in the business, so anything that could bring them closer to me helps.

cubatahavana wrote in post #18141974
My primary objective would be for wedding clients, people I have the initial meeting with about their wedding, and that I feel that the card would help nudge them towards me. I am starting in the business, so anything that could bring them closer to me helps.

I think a great business card can leave a great impression. It's one of those little things that can help make you feel good about the thing that you're buying. All in all, imo, marketing is made up of a lot of individual efforts that all fit together as a cohesive package that ultimately identifies and solidifies the 'brand'.

There was a thread here from years ago where people posted their business cards. It's a very interesting thread to poke around in.
Best of luck-

cubatahavana wrote in post #18141974
First of all, apologies, I didn't mean that the business card would get me booked, I wanted to mean that it could help me get them by showing a high quality product associated to my brand (apart from the photographs, of course?

I see all your points here and I understand them. I do have a nice business card in paper, but I wanted to do something special for those customers that you really feel "good" about. That you want to show them that you care about quality. Of course I agree with you that the main thing that will get you bookings is your work, but something extra, something unusual, helps catching an eye. I have always loved a good business card.

My primary objective would be for wedding clients, people I have the initial meeting with about their wedding, and that I feel that the card would help nudge them towards me. I am starting in the business, so anything that could bring them closer to me helps.

if you are already face to face with a potential client, to hell with the card. Seriously, I went mainstream with my comment earlier, however your latest post confirms my initial thoughts. A meaningful "leave-behind" is not a fancy business card, get creative, man. They have invested in you by giving you their time, and you want to give them a business card as a thank you?

yeah, i am in a grumpy mood but i really think this is a half baked idea. Don't get caught up in needing the leave behind to be a super unique idea, just make sure it is somehow shows you appreciate their time.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18142094
if you are already face to face with a potential client, to hell with the card. Seriously, I went mainstream with my comment earlier, however your latest post confirms my initial thoughts. A meaningful "leave-behind" is not a fancy business card, get creative, man. They have invested in you by giving you their time, and you want to give them a business card as a thank you?

yeah, i am in a grumpy mood but i really think this is a half baked idea. Don't get caught up in needing the leave behind to be a super unique idea, just make sure it is somehow shows you appreciate their time.

Appreciate your honesty, but apart from my card, I wouldn't know what to give them after our initial meeting. Any ideas? Not being sarcastic, just honestly interested

cubatahavana wrote in post #18142154
Appreciate your honesty, but apart from my card, I wouldn't know what to give them after our initial meeting. Any ideas? Not being sarcastic, just honestly interested

"if you are already face to face with a potential client,..." after the initial meeting, you show them a few great images of your most recent work. This gives you something to talk about. If you're meeting with an agency client, maybe give them one kick-a $ $ image with your contact info that they can put on their wall.

Cute from a gimmicky standpoint, but the graphic design is pretty weak IMHO. Save your money.

I'm a graphic designer/photographer and the only real reason I have cards handy is to remind people of my email address/URL/phone number should they need it. Otherwise, most of my clients are people I've worked with in the past or their referrals and my cards are simple. These elaborate business cards are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Make sure you have a nice site, some good SEO, and good work and chances are you'll be just fine.

My cards are fairly inexpensive, double-sided with one of my portraits on each side. I carry several versions: A couple with a senior portraits on each side, a couple with a single-person portrait on each side, a couple with a mother/child and a pregnancy portrait on each side. And also my logo with website and contact number.

Typically, I will show my prospective client my portfolio on tablet or phone and them give her a choice of which card to take with them to remember my work.

The point of giving her a choice is to have her realize, "I like this one."

RDKirk wrote in post #18150322
My cards are fairly inexpensive, double-sided with one of my portraits on each side. I carry several versions: A couple with a senior portraits on each side, a couple with a single-person portrait on each side, a couple with a mother/child and a pregnancy portrait on each side. And also my logo with website and contact number.

Typically, I will show my prospective client my portfolio on tablet or phone and them give her a choice of which card to take with them to remember my work.

The point of giving her a choice is to have her realize, "I like this one."

Interesting.
I usually hold out a fan of cards and say "Oh, pick one! They're all different on the back!" then I can talk about that image for a minute.

Having the recipient pick one they like is a nifty idea, as long as neither of you are in a hurry.

RDKirk wrote in post #18150322
My cards are fairly inexpensive, double-sided with one of my portraits on each side. I carry several versions: A couple with a senior portraits on each side, a couple with a single-person portrait on each side, a couple with a mother/child and a pregnancy portrait on each side. And also my logo with website and contact number.

Typically, I will show my prospective client my portfolio on tablet or phone and them give her a choice of which card to take with them to remember my work.

The point of giving her a choice is to have her realize, "I like this one."

That's a good idea