business cards

[Don Voegel]

I will be starting a small, one-man woodworking business run out of my garage/shop at my home. I am making some business cards and want to know if my street address should be on the cards and also my e-mail address. What else should be on there besides my phone number? Thanks, Don

[Lars Thomas]

Unless I expected people to 'stop-by' my shop, I wouldn't put my address. I would definetly put my phone number and email address. You might also consider including a type of mini-mission statment (ie: Craftsmanship above all else)

If you want to try something more on the unique side, you could get some laser engraved cards. There's some people around here that might be able to tell you a thing or two about lasers;) .

[Jim Izat]

I've been pondering the same move and have been thinking that it would be best for me to have a cell phone number only on the card. Two reason: 1) it would always get answered when it rings, and 2) my seven or ten year old wouldn't answer. They sprint for the phone at home when it rings. (I don't sprint for the phone much anymore)

Any downside to this strategy?

Jim Izat

[Rob Russell]

I'll play devil's advocate here and put myself in the role of a potential customer.

<ol><li>If you give me a card that has your name, number and email but no street or mailing address, that would strike me as odd and I'd wonder what you're hiding. Put your address on it. Most people won't know that <i>123 Maple Street</i> is a residential address. If they do, so what?</li>
<li>If you don't want kids answering your business calls, the cell phone is a good idea. That's based on the premise that you have voicemail for the cell phone and set it up to sound like a business when a call rolls to voicemail.</li>
<li>That business card may be the first thing people have about you and the basis upon which they form initial impressions of you and your business. In this respect, a logo is important for your business card. It makes the card stand out from others and that's what you want. Same with a good motto or slogan if it's not cheesy. If you can't come up with something that doesn't sound cutesy, skip the motto/slogan and go with a good logo/graphic.</li>
<li>I'd stay away from the self-print, tear-off, perforated stock cards you can buy at office supply stores. Spend the money to get "real" cards printed. See #3.</li></ol>
Last comment - if you're doing this as a business - price your work as a business, not as a low-ball company trying to get going. If you do quality work, price accordingly and walk away from jobs where people expect custom work for commodity prices.

My 2&#162.

Rob

[Bill Grumbine]

My business card has gone through many variations, but I have settled on the following information:

Business name
my name
cell phone
web site
email

I left my address off because I don't want idlers stopping by at all hours of the day or even night. I left my home phone off for pretty much the same reason. People can look me up in the book and then come over unannounced. Besides, like Jim says, I have the cell with me all the time, and I am hardly ever in the house to answer that phone.

My website is the most inexpensive way to advertise I can think of. Back when I first had a website, there was very little local contact, but now, most people are on the web, and it does a great job as a catalog of my accomplishments.

I have a sign on my shop, so I still get people stopping by. Just last week the dogs were going nuts (not unusual), so I walked out of the house just in time to see them drive off. Oh well, if it is important, they'll come back.

Bill

[Tom Sweeney]

Get a PO Box at one of the small business center type stores like mailboxes,etc. These usually have more of business sounding address Suite #123 instead of PO BOX 123.

E-MAIL & Web Site Address - definately

Cell Phone # with business like voice mail definately

Nice business cards - How about this idea. A nice thin wood business card, laser engraved with all your info & a nice logo - I think you might be able to find someone on the forum that can talk to you about this ;)

Make some inexpensive Gotsy handouts with your info on them - business card holders, easy to make desk clocks, pens, etc...

Word of mouth - make a business plan - who is your potential client? Figure out where they hang out & join them. Chamber of commerce, PTA, kids sports leagues, etc...

Research, Plan, Research, Plan, Research then Just Do It!

Hope this helps!

[Jamie Buxton]

Unlike some of the other posters, I put my address on my business card for two reasons. First, leaving it off makes me looks fly-by-night. Second, where are my customers going to send that check?

For printing, look around the web. There are lots of places that will print good-quality cards inexpensively. All of them will accept your design file, and many also have on-line design software and example cards. www.overnightprints.com is one example.

[Ian Barley]

I put my address, which also appears on all my business stationery. It is a residential address from which I run my office. In the 4 years I have been giving out those cards and literature nobody has ever turned up unannounced.

Mobile (cell) number? - Only if your "trade" suits it. Locksmith etc. If I get stuff which has only a mobile number I am immediately suspicious, doubly so if somebody is unwilling to give me their address on that card. (Over here in UK all mobile numbers are easily identifiable - not sure how that works for you guys)

Good quality cards are often your first chance to make a professional impression. If you are serious spend a few dollars to get it right.

[John Weber]

Don,

I include everything, but I now have a P.O. Box (about $39 per year). I've designed several cards using http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default_old.asp, they are very reasonable and can include a number of options such as full color, plus you do the design yourself so you get what you want. I blotted out my address since I'm posting it here.

Good Luck - John

[Ken Salisbury]

Basically I have 2 cards I use -- One for potential customers of my 'craft' products and another for potential custom furniture customers. They are both the same exept for the 3 lines under the logo which either decribe custom furniture or craft products.

I have never put my address on my cards. I put both of my phone numbers on all my cards. I use an answering machine on the land line # but do not have voice mail on my cell phone.

Of course I put my web site address on all cards but not my e-mail address. I figured people who are interested realize that someone with a web site would have a "contact us" feature on that web site.

I print my own cards using "Clean Edge" (no perforations) Avery Business Card blanks. They are just as high quality as you can buy from a print shop. If you have a good injet printer you can make nice cards at a reasonable price,

I didn't blank out anthing on the card attached since ever bit of the information on these cards is readily available with a simple 'white pages' search on the internet or a search for Ken's Wood Central.
<p align="center">
<IMG src="http://www.klsal.com/businesscard.jpg">

[markus shaffer]

i print my own cards from my computer. it's a bit of work sometimes, but i enjoy it because i can change the designs and information as i want to. not that it's all that expensive to have cards printed, but if you change your number for instance, then you're stuck with the remainder of cards with an old number. i suppose the real thing is that i enjoy doing the design work. the suggestion that you print on wood is one that i did recently. i had used this design before on regular cardstock, but having printed it on veneer has gotten alot of positive feedback. everyone i've given one to has complimented me on it. i didn't add my street address because my shop is not in a storefront on the street. however, i will add my web address once i get a site up though.

-markus

[Bill Grumbine]

Originally posted by Ian Barley

Mobile (cell) number? - Only if your "trade" suits it. Locksmith etc. If I get stuff which has only a mobile number I am immediately suspicious, doubly so if somebody is unwilling to give me their address on that card. (Over here in UK all mobile numbers are easily identifiable - not sure how that works for you guys)



Ian, I can't speak with authority on other parts of the US, but in my area it is becoming more and more acceptable to use a cell phone as a business phone. My local phone service is primitive at best, expensive at its worst.

I am on a rural road, and have a sign on the building - a small sign that is in essence a reproduction of my business card. I constantly get people stopping by with just that. If I had my address on my card, I think it would be much worse.

Bill

[jack duren]

Don .....sorry for the change of topic. but your garage/house isnt in a restricted neighborhood is it?.....jack

[Bartee Lamar]

Bill G ( and others ) have it right.

Seriouly consider an website with your own URL ( thats the www.myshopbusiness.com )

By doing this you should also be able to get your email address as john@myshopbusiness.com

By doing this your email will never change and your business looks much more valid.

Get a good basic website done that will be your brochure. It is much cheaper to put color pictures on the web than in a paper brochure.

A lot of High Schools, Junior colleges and tech schools are a great source of free website design.

To find a URL name go to www.netsol.com (http://www.netsol.com)

When you do get a website, make sure you update it often with new pictures etc and projects.

Keep the website simple.

Hope some of this helps.....

[Keith Outten]

Shameless Plug for the SMC Staff

A well designed logo is a must, if you need help with a graphic contact Aaron Koehl right here, Aaron is one of the most talented graphics guys around and is working his way through college without any financial help so he can use the work. Aaron also does web design and our sponsor Hampton Roads Online does provide web hosting.

As far as laser cards go I own a laser so all my business cards are laser engraved. I make them from wood, plastics, acrylics, etc. I cut them in more shapes than you can imagine, the last batch were wooden gears. the one before small wooden crosscut saws. The majority of the cards I make are clear acrylic. Acrylic is inexpensive and flat out impresses the ladies. Since women do most of the purchasing I tend to market in that direction.

Laser cards are obviously more expensive than paper. Generally you would have paper cards made and order a few laser cards for repeat and high-end customers. If you do only high-end work then possibly laser cards are all you need.

Besides me there are plenty of businesses that offer laser engraving, certainly there is an engraver in your town. You can cut your costs by designing your own drawing for engraving, Aaron also does some of the most beautiful laser design work you will ever see. If you want some free advice you can get that too, use the laser woodworking forum or send private email to Aaron Koehl or Keith Outten. We would be glad to help any of you with any phase of your design, graphics or laser projects.