Richard, I have to disagree with you on this. My own cards did
indeed look amateurish when I was printing them on my computer, using
photo paper or Avery cards. But since I had them done by www.gotprint.com, I think they look pretty damn good. And I’ve seen
others that look great with photos. As with anything, it’s a matter
of execution.
I think people are much more likely to hang on to a card than a
brochure, which would add an expense and a display problem for you
and a storage issue for your customer. If you have a web site, the
card just needs to whet the appetite and serve as a reminder. I say
keep it tasteful, take a great photo, print them professionally, then
let 'em fly!
I don't think anyone is suggesting putting a picture of oneself on
the card, rather a picture of a piece of jewelry. Yes, a picture of
the jewelry MAKER on the business card would be rather odd.
Lisa, odd as it may be, that is EXACTLY what I suggested earlier in
this thread. I have a group shot of 4 pieces with my name along the
top on one side of my card. On the other side I have my contact info
on the right, and on the left is a partial head shot of humble old
me. It’s cropped tight, with the right quarter cut off. It’s also
stylized a bit, but very recognizable.
Now I don’t know how long the average showgoer keeps the average
card they pick up. But let’s say 6 months from now they come across
my card again. They can be reminded of a range of what I do, and also
perhaps remember a positive exchange with me personally. I’ve either
kept or tossed countless cards over the years that I sure wish I
could associate with a face. But I’m betting that the more a person
can connect with your card, and with you and what you do, the more
they are likely are to keep it and perhaps use it later. You wouldn’t
toss my smiling mug in the trash, would you? Lots of customers have
commented favorably on they idea. Maybe they were just stroking me,
who knows. I also have a small version of this pic on my post cards
that I send out. Again, I’m hoping for “Oh, yeah, I remember that
guy, he made some cool stuff!”
So, to each his own, but I’m just saying that a business card can be
a very powerful marketing tool, or just more landfill. I’d rather
have mine say as much as possible about me and my work. I figure it
can’t hurt!
You're comparing apples to oranges. Real estate agents and
mortgage brokers are in customer service. I can understand why they
would want face recognition >because they want to deal with
customers on a personal, one-to-one basis.
Rick, I don’t know about you, but I am most definitely in customer
service! I may sell a product, but my service is in helping my
customers look better and feel better, not to mention all the other
more mundane aspects of customer service we should all be practicing.
And are you really suggesting that jewelers don’t develop personal
one-on-one relationships with our customers? I sell mostly through
shows, and I know you do shows as well. If that’s not personal, I
don’t know what is. At least it should be if you expect to sell
anything. So unless you sell exclusively through third parties,
getting personal is part of the process.
But I’m most surprised by the apparent vitriol in your
characterization of putting an artist photo on a card as “an act of
pure egocentricity”. Why wouldn’t you want your customers to remember
your face as well as your work? Someone mentioned the security aspect
of being recognizable, which was a wrinkle I hadn’t thought of. But I
don’t think either of us deals in the kind of high-end stuff where
this would be a more serious issue.
So, Rick, don’t put photo on your card if you don’t want to, but
please lighten up on those of us who are trying something different.