Biz cards. Do you carry? Best site?

[Splendad]

I saw vistaprint has some pretty good deals on biz cards but I was wondering how many authors use them (and do you just include a link to your books or?) And where are the best deals for good quality (or better-than-good quality)?

[veinglory]

I get cheap vista basic matts because I am generally just giving them my contact info, not trying to impress/promote. But not the free ones because having the vistaprint logo on the back looks too cheap even for me.

[Medievalist]

It's also worth looking locally at print shops.

[CheyElizabeth]

Vista print is hella annoying with all of their advertising, cheap products, and spam emails trying to make you buy more stuff. I'd search elsewhere. Maybe make your business card in the size of a bookmark so it doubles as that.

[the bunny hugger]

Spam block vistaprint immediately or they will bury you in promotional emails.

[Jamesaritchie]

I've found local print shops are best. They help you design, and you also get to look at and handle cards before you buy. Business cards are not a good place to go cheap.

[Splendad]

Ok but what all do you have on your cards? I like the idea about the bookmarks; that could knock out two birds with one stone (utilitarian advertising, eh?) but then again, bookmarks disappear. Ugh.

Do you just put your website on them? email? blog? I'd hate to swamp somebody with info but I would also not want to sell short in advertising. Can anybody post some examples of their card(s)?

[CheyElizabeth]

I love MOO cards. (http://us.moo.com/en/?gclid=CJ6ms_nciqcCFcpQ2godqFBpfw). They double as bookmarks and business cards. I'd put your website address, name and email only. Everything else they can find on your website.

[scarletpeaches]

This thread's title make baby Jesus cry. There was room to type 'business'.

But on topic, I use MOO as well.

[veinglory]

If you deal with people who use standard business card holders and even rolodexes (i.e. business people) they tend to prefer standard business card sizes.

[LGwenn]

Thirding the recommendation for MOO. Great quality, price and lots of options.

[Splendad]

This thread's title make baby Jesus cry. There was room to type 'business'.

But on topic, I use MOO as well.

As I sink down into the funnel of age, I gain respect for simplification and shortening things. Frankly, I hate "Biz" as much as you, but it may have saved somebody like 18 nanoseconds (those add up :) )

To everybody else, thank you; going with MOO.

[scarletpeaches]

My first experience with MOO was interesting.

They mixed up my order with someone else's and sent an erotica author's business cards to a teenager. I emailed them to explain the error and they replied very quickly and gave me a discount from my next order. It was all very funny, I thought. And they did deal with it quickly.

I wouldn't let that put you off using MOO - I thought it showed how quick they were to correct their mistake, and let's face it...it was funny.

[Splendad]

I love MOO cards. (http://us.moo.com/en/?gclid=CJ6ms_nciqcCFcpQ2godqFBpfw). They double as bookmarks and business cards. I'd put your website address, name and email only. Everything else they can find on your website.

I'm on their site and I see lots of stuff but no bookmarks. They did have an example of one customer who turns her mini-cards into bookmarks; is that what you were talking about? I've seen nothing that is the size of a bookmark.

[scarletpeaches]

Here's the thread I started about my MOO mix up. It definitely wouldn't stop me buying cards from them again; they sorted it all out promptly and apologised and I did get a giggle out of it. ;)

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202993

[BenPanced]

Vista print is hella annoying with all of their advertising, cheap products, and spam emails trying to make you buy more stuff. I'd search elsewhere. Maybe make your business card in the size of a bookmark so it doubles as that.

Spam block vistaprint immediately or they will bury you in promotional emails.
:Huh: I've made several purchases from Vistaprint and I've been able to opt out of promo emails every time.

[Splendad]

I will say this; Moo's cards were totally free (free sample cards w/free shipping but you only get 10) as opposed to vista's "free" ones that cost money to have shipped to you. So, brownie points gained. I can already tell I'mma like these people :)

[seun]

I've recently placed an order with Vista for some cards. Wish I'd seen this thread before placing it. Oh well. Hopefully, the cards will look OK when they arrive.

[Anne Lyle]

My cards from Vista are really nice - I used the same artwork as my avvie, with a black'n'white version on the back. I chose the heaviest card they did, recycled too, so not cheap, but I was v pleased with them.

I may have a look at MOO, though - I want some cards with just my website URL and Twitter name on, to hand out to random people (my proper business cards have my full address and phone number).

[scarletpeaches]

My MOO cards just have my blog URL and email address. It wasn't until after I'd sent away for them that I thought to add my Twitter link, but I'll just put that on my next lot of cards.

As for phone number? I'll write that on myself, for people I don't mind being able to contact me that way, but even though I only have a mobile, I'd rather not make the number that public.

[Anne Lyle]

I'm the same re my email address - I'll give it out to people I know, but anyone else can contact me easily enough using the form on my website if they want to. For the most part there's really no need for anyone to have my phone number - I'm not a phone person.

[scarletpeaches]

The email address I make public isn't 'mine' anyway. It belongs to my pseudonym. Quite a few people on AW have my 'real name' email address, but I give it out by PM rather than showing it on my blog, or giving it out on Twitter.

[veinglory]

IMHO a business card is for passing to business colleague you actively want to contact you. A promotional card is more like a small advertisement for potential customers you never want to hear from. Quite different.

[Daddyo]

I have Vistaprint business cards that are nice. I do have all my contact info on them, including phone #s. They do bug you with free promos constantly, which I figure that they make up in shipping. Once my publisher finalizes my cover design, I'll do some bookmarks for promos.

[jamesn65]

I just ordered from vistaprint and am hoping for the best. I figured for the price, it was worth trying. We'll see. The free shipping, though, seems like it's going to take forever (21 days... really??)

[veinglory]

Yeah, the shipping is a bit slow. They'd spammed me ten times before the cards arrived.

[seun]

I ordered mine on Sunday and got an email this morning to say they were being shipped. OK, they might take a total of 21 days to arrive, but it's still quicker than I expected.

[Dodge]

I've been using vistaprint for quite awhile now... for biz cards, promotional cards, banners... everything and not all for books.

Anyways my experience with them has been positive.

I really like the fact that I can design my own card online with any pic/font/color/placement. It's a very fun process and I've made some impressionable cards:)

[Anne Lyle]

I really like the fact that I can design my own card online with any pic/font/color/placement. It's a very fun process and I've made some impressionable cards:)

Your cards are naive and gullible? Impressive! ;)

[Dodge]

Your cards are naive and gullible? Impressive! ;)

Your shot in the dark is unnecessary.

[veinglory]

Smiley face=jk re: word choice=incorrect.

[Medievalist]

Some things to keep in mind about business cards, from the pov of someone who has been enormously frustrated by them, on more than one occasion.

1. Fancy foil cards can't be scanned--lots of people who receive hundreds of cards in a year use a card scanner to enter the data into a database for contacts. You'd be surprised by how common this is.

2. Don't use type smaller than 10 pts. casually--a lot of people can't read type that small, and if your email address is tiny you may never get the promised email.

3. Keep the back of the card blank, and easy to write on; it's very common to turn a business card over to jot a short reminder note--like "Email tomorrow to ask for a full ms. Super story about Ethel the Pirate's daughter and her dog."

4. Don't put your phone number on the card if you don't have someone to take calls for you--there are people who *sell your number*. This is also not as uncommon as I'd like it to be. Write the number on by hand if you give the card to someone you think will have a genuine use for it.

[Adam]

I bought 500 from Vistaprint, and have 2 spam emails for each card.

Still, they were practically free, and they gave me a useless metal holder, too! :tongue

[deborahlea]

I love MOO cards. (http://us.moo.com/en/?gclid=CJ6ms_nciqcCFcpQ2godqFBpfw). They double as bookmarks and business cards. I'd put your website address, name and email only. Everything else they can find on your website.

These look fabulous! I'm going to have to check them out. Thanks :)

[Splendad]

Fancy foil cards can't be scanned--lots of people who receive hundreds of cards in a year use a card scanner to enter the data into a database for contacts. You'd be surprised by how common this is.

I was thinking of getting some of the metal or wooden cards (maybe 20 or 30 to give to people who can make things happen vs. just promo-types to give potential fans a way to look you up). Doesn't have the desired effect, I'm hearing?

[Medievalist]

I was thinking of getting some of the metal or wooden cards (maybe 20 or 30 to give to people who can make things happen vs. just promo-types to give potential fans a way to look you up). Doesn't have the desired effect, I'm hearing?

Really, no.

Were I you, I'd concentrate on getting people to read and review your book.

Lots of book bloggers out there.

Don't spend money until you make money, and don't discount your time.

[Splendad]

One more question and I'll let this thread rest as it probably should; my preferred design for business cards involves dark-colored backgrounds (like black or dark grey) with light-colored (white or bright yellow) text. Do business card readers/scanners have trouble with this?

[seun]

I bought 500 from Vistaprint, and have 2 spam emails for each card.

Still, they were practically free, and they gave me a useless metal holder, too! :tongue

I got mine from Vistaprint yesterday. They're simple on the front (name, email, mobile and blog) and blank on the back. I didn't get a metal holder, though. :cry:

[Anne Lyle]

I'll have to order mine soon - we can do swapsies at Eastercon! :)

[seun]

That's a plan and a half.

[Splendad]

What is easter con? I'm gonna start a new thread (unless an admin thinks it's not necessary) to review specific promo items from specific companies. I ordered from several today and I'm waiting for the items but it's more than just biz cards (got pens, mugs, stickers, stamps, etc.).

[seun]

Eastercon (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203358&highlight=eastercon)

and

http://www.illustrious.org.uk/

[Jettica]

Vista print are okay if you are willing to pay for the cards. The free thing they do is just a waste of time.

My current business cards are from MOO. They're great. Although I think I'd go with a local printer next time. Not much difference in price plus they can make them look all snazzy and I'm promoting local business!

[Splendad]

Just ordered more from moo; at 30-odd cents per card, though, nobody but royalty is getting them...

[FocusOnEnergy]

Since I have designed business cards for other people as part of my livelihood (see also stationery, logos, etc.), I also design (and print) my own. As long as you get the "good" cardstock, and print on laser instead of inkjet, you can do your own good quality cards. I like being able to change the design periodically. That way, too, if a number or address changes, I can look at the cards and know which ones are out of date.

My current cards have my blog address, facebook link, email and office phone number.

Focus