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Business Card Help

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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Awhile back I made some business cards that look like absolute shit. Since then I have been trying to take notice of people business cards and see what they have that stands out and how I can emulate it.

I just graduated with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. I need a job. And I am embarrassed to give people the current card I have.

I have checked out VistaPrint.com and FedEx Office, all their cards look basic and too simple. But then again maybe I should go for simple.

Anyway, I need some design help and ideas on how I can make a card that stands out but doesn't look like absolute shit.
Nov 13 2011 6:02PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
Lets see a photo of yours for critique.
Nov 13 2011 6:06PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Its more or less the paper quality and the "glossy" finish on it. I want to get completely away from my other design and make a totally different one.
Nov 13 2011 6:07PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i would definitely err to the side of too simple versus too flashy/over the top/stupid

Nov 13 2011 6:08PM
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chacharlie
Posts: 228 - Karma: 20
find a very nice printer/ designer and have something made. No need to be flashy or tacky, but IMO it makes a HUGE difference, especially in your line of work where image is literally everything. Consider it an investment in your brand and future, and pay a buttload for some nice cards.
Nov 13 2011 6:10PM
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reverendwrong
Posts: 3145 - Karma: 142
http://youtu.be/qoIvd3zzu4Y


assholes won't let me embed
Nov 13 2011 6:11PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
hahahaha i came here to post that
Nov 13 2011 6:14PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51261 - Karma: 157,406
I had dope busniess cards when I was in like 7th grade.


You graduated with a degree in advertising and can't make a decent business card?


I guess I really didn't miss much not paying for college. Seriously the easiest thing in the world to get a pretty dope business card.
Nov 13 2011 6:16PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
watermark. Got it.
Nov 13 2011 6:20PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
No need to be a douche. I am just looking for some extra input for when I put mine together.

What does yours look like?
Nov 13 2011 6:21PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51261 - Karma: 157,406
Click for larger image
Nov 13 2011 6:24PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
Click for larger image

heres my card.


nah but for realz i have nothing to contribute.
Nov 13 2011 6:35PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
go with a colored card. not bright or anything, but a lighter green, or a gold colored card with a classic design and print will stand out a lot.


why do you have a buuisness card if you have no buisness or job title? An exchange of email is enough when you are networking for your first job. otherwise you look pretentious.
Nov 13 2011 6:44PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Not true. Prepared is different than pretentious, a personal business card is sometimes impressive if done right. Hence my wanting to do it right. At 22 I think people see it is you take yourself seriously, and want others to do the same as opposed to giving them an e-mail. Personally I always carry resumes in my car, never know who you're going to meet.
Nov 13 2011 6:55PM
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Deluge
Posts: 4398 - Karma: 767
lolled mad hard at this
Nov 13 2011 6:58PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
you have no reason for a buisness card. having a resume in your car is being prepared, handing out buisness cards for yourself when you have no job title is pretentious.

If i was handed a buisness card by someone, i would expect them to be working for a company, and for them to have job title and company listed on there. if it was just a personal card(a social card), and it came from a young guy, it would certainly lower my opinion of them. the thinking is that you have an inflated view of your self.

It would seem a very toolish thing to do IMO.

giving an email is good, giving a resume is great, giving a buisness card when you dont work is pretentious.
Nov 13 2011 7:06PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I will keep that in mind. With that said I still want ot make business cards, but will be more aware of who I am giving them to. Make sure they know my personality and that I am not a tool or pretentious lol.
Nov 13 2011 7:08PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
That said, i do know people who have "buisness cards
and then "social cards". they say the same thing but the social card doesnt have the company logo, contains a cell number, and is a bit flashier/less professional. And they normally give it to people they meet socially, not people they meet through buuisness, or have intentions of doing buisness with.


The best thing you can do is make a great, witty impression, give them your email, get their email, and then email them when you get home. always offer them your resume, though 905 of the time they will just ask you to shoot them an email.


bosses dont want a cocky newbie...unless that cockiness is 100% backed up.


Nov 13 2011 7:19PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51261 - Karma: 157,406
Put a picture of your dick on it.
Nov 13 2011 7:19PM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
the best ones i have seen were plain white and had the company logo imprinted/heightened (so like you could feel it with your fingers. everything else plain and simple.

but i would second the notion of the other dude that its possible that you dont need one.
Nov 13 2011 7:33PM
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pink_squid
Posts: 1188 - Karma: 368
OMG HE HAS A DEGREE WITH A LONG NAME AND USES BIG WORDS !!!!!! Bow down to his mighty power, he went to COLLEGE!
Nov 13 2011 7:43PM
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nkmo.
Posts: 3994 - Karma: 285
Haha, no.

What is this, American Psycho?
Nov 13 2011 8:00PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
OMG HE HAS AN INTERNET ACCOUNT ON A FOURM? AND HE KNOWS HOW TO USE HIS CAPS LOCK. bow down to his douchebagery and attempt at humor. HE HAS THE INTERWEB!
Nov 13 2011 8:05PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
And btw, what big word did I use, impressive or was it hence?
Nov 13 2011 8:06PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
resume...that shit is french yo.
Nov 13 2011 9:19PM
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AlpentalAnon
Posts: 46 - Karma: 17
I'm no Patrick Bateman, but I do run a business and see all kinds of cards each day.  Don't go for something flashy or with a lot of graphics and color.  It looks stupid.  Go with black ink and, at most, one dark color if you want a subtle accent on there somewhere.  Also, spend the extra coin to get it printed on the thickest paper they offer.  I use vistaprint myself and use their 100 lb card stock.  I'll try to put a pic in this message.

Same thing with resumes.  Don't sent them out on colored paper.  I throw those out without reading them.  Spend the $ on some cotton or linen paper and print your cover letters and resumes with the highest ink quality your printer can handle.
Dec 26 2011 11:57PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
USE MOO CARDS!

http://us.moo.com/

They are awesome quality, super cheap, and really customizable. I absolutely love mine. Seriously, go with them. Everyone I know uses them and no one has ever had complaints.
Dec 27 2011 12:03AM
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
Its the 21st century. Use LinkedIn.

In the chance that you meet someone at an event, ask for THEIR info (that way, they can't take your card and say "Oh yeah, I'll give you a call"). Add them on LinkedIn, include a nice personalized message, and you have their contact info for life.
Dec 27 2011 12:34AM
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bibs_skibum
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 449
if I ever met somebody and they gave me a social card, i would never contact them again. That is the most pretentious thing i could ever think of.
Dec 27 2011 12:43AM
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ferrinski86
Posts: 774 - Karma: 10
I agree with this kid.

In the real world Its all about marketing and selling yourself.

use the "KISS" rule: keep it simple stupid. If you have the right information on the card thats all that matters.

I give out my card probably 5 times a day or more (own a furniture store, sell furniture) and i get responses/ sales because of how I market/ present/ use my time.... NOT because my card stood out.


Dec 27 2011 1:01AM
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AlpentalAnon
Posts: 46 - Karma: 17
Meant to put this in above.  The only color is the maroon box and even that's pretty subtle.  Feel free to copy the design if you want.


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Dec 27 2011 1:13AM
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