Business cards hints

Jewelry Discussion
21

I add my business cards (2 at least) along with my jewelry that I’ve
sold & shipped out. When they wear my jewelry someone will always say
to them…where did you get that? And so I’m hoping they remember my
business card that I sent along with their order.

Business Cards are good! Especially when I go to a jewelry store and
leave a card…a picture says a thousand words.I also make up
postcards of Jewelry Sets to leave the store owner, I want them to
know who I am when I call and ask for that appointment.

DawnV

22

Dear Tracy,

unless you have done it already, don’t put any images on your
business cards. IMHO, I think they look really tacky. Design a well
laid out card with all the people will need to contact
you. Don’t use VistaPrint either, you are too much controlled by
what they have on offer. I have seen so many cards that are over
designed with too much Pictures really make a card look
amateurish. If you want to show off pictures of your work get a
separate brochure or flyer printed.

Best wishes
Richard Whitehouse

23

I know this is off topic, but this happens at wholesale shows and it
drives me nuts.

They ask for a catalog. Why would you want to look at jewelry on a
page when you can see it in person?

I do think that they think it’s a nice way of getting out of the
booth without committing to anything.

It's kind of like all the customers who ask "Do you have a website"
All my work is there, at the show what do they need a website for -
it's just a ploy to get out of the booth.

My response is something like this:

I do, have a website/catalog, but as I make a lot of “limited
editions” and am coming up with new designs so frequently they are
nowhere near complete. The best place to see my work is right here.
I am happy to send you one/ give you a card, but why don’t you tell
me what you’re interested in so if it’s not included I’ll make sure I
shoot you an email with a few pics in addition to the catalog.

Ah… I love Bruce Baker!

Amery Carriere Designs
Romantic Jewelry with an Edge
www.amerycarriere.com

24

Hi,

I’ve been watching this discussion with interest. I am a person who
regularly asks about websites and asks for a card. When I am buying
something, I pay attention to what choices I’m making. (I can get
carried away…I like shiny, pretty things a lot, and our credit card
couldn’t handle me buying at a show so freely. I look around often,
or not as some spots don’t interest me at all.

But when I’m planning to purchase something, or even thinking about
it, I do my research (to see it’s a fair price…and as someone in
the business of jewelry, my idea of fair is much higher than
Wal-mart; to find the origins of a stone/gem, to verify the service
is trustworthy, the person reputable.) I also look at the pieces to
see if someone has anything that I’m really interested in that might
not have gotten my attention when I visited their booth.

This particular habit saved me a lot of money when I attended a
gathering of artistic wares and their makers. One gentleman was
selling ‘wampum beads’, wampum belts, etc. and he italicized the word
wampum. For anyone who doesn’t know, the Quahog shell is used, and
purchasing the beads made from the shells can cost quite a bit. The
gentleman was selling the beads, necklaces made from beads, etc. with
everything priced as though the beads were wampum. (which is about
$50 per strand around here at powwow time or more). The research I
did led me to know that he was selling ‘artificial’ wampum. I try not
to purchase from ethically challenged individuals. And the cost would
have to have been eaten by me, as I could never resell ‘fake’ wampum
and make any money (the wampum is part of a commissioned project,
and can you imagine how foolish I would have looked when the
knowledgeable customer called me on it?) It’s rare I purchase from
trade shows sight seen even, because it’s easy to fool people when
there is a crowd and a sense of urgency. I go home, do my homework,
and maybe call, maybe just walk in the store. Usually, I purchase
online afterward, if they have a website.

So before you call down people asking for cards, consider that you
are quite possibly affecting whether you will make a sale then or in
the future. It’s not very professional. And while your style may have
them interested, you may not have anything there with you that
appeals to them.

Rather than disrespect folks, consider writing on the back that they
get, say, a 5 percent discount if they bring this card and another
person to your shop, or to your booth to shop, or what have you. The
money not made is minimal compared to the likelihood of not making
the sale.

Kim

25 
unless you have done it already, don't put any images on your
business cards. IMHO, I think they look really tacky.

I disagree with this humble opinion.

I was a graphic artist for many years and I have beautiful business
cards with a professional shot of my jewelry on the front, not only
are they attractive, they were professionally done! I stayed on top
of my printers watching every move they made…and it was time well
spent.

Have you ever wondered why realtors have their photos on their
business cards? People can meet so many of them, that they don’t
remember them without a picture on their card and the same can go for
jewelry at a art show. Most of the time artist have a certain
style…that picture on your business card should reflect your style
and it should be professional looking to the best of your ability.

Your business cards can be an excellent marketing tool.

Dawn Vertrees

26

The point of having business cards is so that you can give them to
people who are interested in your business/work and might want to
contact you at a later date. If you don’t want people to have that
option, simply eliminate business cards from your practice, instead
of getting bitter about people taking one instead of buying right
away. To me, business cards are a necessity. They allow for
networking, and easy access to look at my work in one’s own time. I
would rather not take that option away from my present and future
customers.

Catherine Chandler

27 
Don't use VistaPrint either, you are too much controlled by what
they have on offer. I have seen so many cards that are over
designed with too much Pictures really make a card
look amateurish.

Been reading this thread with some interest and some amusement, too.
I used Vistaprint for my last cards, and I’m happy, but I also took a
long time to actually design a card - I started with a template, and
then changed everything and added my own graphic (not photo). I have
to pretty much agree with Richard’s comment about pictures above,
though. On the other hand, there’s no such thing as a perfect card -
it’s what you want it to be, and the artistic quality of it is going
to mesh with your own ability - if you’re happy with crayons or fine
engraving, it will be there in your card. I’m not any sort of
business card expert, and I won’t dispense advice, really, beyond
saying that just sticking a picture on a card is 1) very square
unless you fog the edges, 2) takes lots of space without much impact
3) is only one photo, not a general vision of work and 4) is going to
be very, very tiny. To me the design of the card itself says more
than any picture of work ever will - “I’m a designer”. I would be
more inclined to get some sweeping photo, lower the alpha by 50% or
more, offset it from the message, and use it as the background, if
anything. Lastly, no one I remember has ever actually handed me an
Avery-printed card from an inkjet, thank God. I’d probably be very
nice to anyone who did, though, even as I thought about their low
standards in graphics and design… There’s a reason it used to be
called a “Calling Card” - it says, “This is Me!”

28 
unless you have done it already, don't put any images on your
business cards. IMHO, I think they look really tacky.

I have to disagree Richard. No matter where you are someone may see a
piece of your jewelry, whether you are wearing it, displaying, etc.
and want a card. When they get home and find it in their pocket two
weeks later, how are they going to remember who you are? A picture is
worth a thousand words (ha, we’ve all heard that), however being more
of a visual person I can relate. I like pics on cards, and business
cards fit in my wallet, where as postcard and brochures don’t.

Lisa Hawthorne

29

I have a picture on my business card abt 30 x 25 mm upper left
corner on a card 3.5" x 2". It’s a picture of a ring with a opal that
people associate with me. It’s opal in matrix from Queensland. I also
include my postal address, my web site address, my email and my
telephone #.

The front of the card is glossy; the back is not. If i talk to
someone at a show I write my booth # on the back of the card and
note what interested them.

The worst card was done by a graphic designer (I thought a pro would
come up with something interesting). It may be interesting, but it’s
also unreadable. Red print on an almost black background.

I’m about to reprint so this discussion has been timely. The glossy
front and matte back is the most important to me since I do only ‘art
fairs’ and the notes on the back I mentioned above are crucial. I
don’t try to hoard cards; it’s the cheapest ad there is, but I like
to hand them over personally. It’s an opportunity to interact with a
potential customer.

http://www.kevinpatrickkelly.com
KPK

30 
Don't use VistaPrint either, you are too much controlled by what
they have on offer. I have seen so many cards that are over designed
with too much Pictures really make a card look
amateurish.

Well, perhaps a card that is over designed & with too much
can look amateurish. However, any card can look
amateurish if it’s overdesigned and with too much
pictures or not. If you have a simple, high-quality image on your
card, you’re not being an amateur, you’re showing the recipient what
type of work you do. If you’re a plumber, or a computer tech, or a
realtor, simple text can get the point across. If you’re an artist,
however, you can say you make jewelry or paint with watercolors, or
whatever, but in these cases a picture speaks a thousand (or even
more) words. I used to have cards that were just text. Nicely done,
simple. They said what I do. I’d give my card to someone, and the
still wouldn’t REALLY know what I do. Then I’d show them a postcard
if I had one handy. Oh, that’s what you do! Now I have cards that
have a simple picture of one really good piece and now when I give
someone my card, they KNOW what I do. And let’s imagine that
potential customer who is truly browsing a show for ideas for later.
It really does happen! He picks up a bunch of cards & takes them
home. Later, he’s looking at them, and has no idea what the
different artists do except that their cards say they make jewelry.
That’s where you need to have a picture. Let the card speak for your
work. And in regards to Vistaprint, don’t worry about what they have
on offer. It’s silly to think you’re controlled by that. You make a
card just as you like it, then order what you want. If you want to go
with their offers, great, and if not, you’re still getting a very
good quality card at an excellent price.

Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher

31

I agree with Lisa regarding images of jewelry on business cards. One
year I had a large stash of business cards without any images on
them. I was too rushed to have new ones made professionally, with an
image of my work, so I printed out some thumb print sized pictures on
my color printer. I Cut them to size, and pasted them on the cards.

I know Richard would shudder and think they looked tacky, but, they
did help with sales, as several people returned to my booth, card in
hand and made purchases. One asked specifically for a pendant similar
to the one pictured on my card.

Of course for future shows I did have professionally made cards, but
the simple fact is that, as Lisa said, “a picture is worth a thousand
words.” --in my case even a pasted on one.

Alma

32

I have to disagree with those who are adamantly against photos on
business cards. Why? As someone already pointed out, it is THE most
direct way to communicate who you are and what you do. We are not in
the printing or decorating business, we are jewelry artists and
describing what we do is far more important than having the most
elegant card design for it’s own sake. ( If you have a jewelry
store, that’s another horse entirely!) I use postcards with only a
photo on the front…all print on the back. When I do a business
card, the photo is the most prominent feature with my name and
contact info at one end. Does it work? People collect my cards (photo
changes at least once a year) and they keep and/or display them in
their homes and offices…some on the refrigerator, some people frame
them. This year I was able to help a man surprise his wife for their
50th Anniversary because he knew where she kept my cards. One can’t
ask much more from a business communique than that.

33

I used http://www.eprintfast.com last time I got cards printed. Full
color, glossy paper, great price.

I like working with a site where the price is the price is the price
in contrast to vista print with the constant sales and but what, you
can also buy this rubber stamp for just 99 cents if you act now!!!

Elaine
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com ™
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

34

I haven’t read all the posts in this thread (its a long one!) so
forgive me if i repeat something already said.

Jewelers are by nature, rather exclusive. Or, at least we hope we’re
perceived that way. You don’t want to be thought of as ordinary or
commercial. Instant death for a designer.

I think it was Coco Chanel who said, “less is more”. Lots of white
space with elegant but discreet font will convey a professional
image. Have the cards done by a real printer so you can feel the
lettering. What you want is for the client to linger over your card,
feel it, absorb it, and get a good impression that you do indeed know
what you are doing.

Print them on your PC? Good gosh, reread the above. You’ll come
across as cheap, sorry to be blunt. You’ll be saying to prospective
customers, “I don’t care enough about you to spend some dough to
court you”. In jewelry, image is everything, everything. You don’t
want your card to have the same fate as junk mail.

Pictures? I dunno. Seems confining to me. But done the right way,
maybe. If you put your signature piece on the card, are you sure
’everybody’ loves it?

MHO only.

35 
Pictures? I dunno. Seems confining to me. But done the right way,
maybe. If you put your signature piece on the card, are you sure
'everybody' loves it?

You’ll never know unless you put it out there!

Dawn Vertrees

36 
Pictures? I dunno. Seems confining to me. But done the right way,
maybe. If you put your signature piece on the card, are you sure
'everybody' loves it?

You know, that is a good point, whether or not you’re confining
yourself by picturing just one piece in your whole inventory. I, for
instance, have a picture of a relatively ornate pendant on my card,
filigree. No, it’s not for everyone, and I know that. However, I
chose the piece with a few things in mind, things I hope go through -
or in contrast do NOT go through - the mind of the person who’s
looking at it, whether or not the piece is their style. If it was a
picture, for instance, of a simple chain, eventhough I may have spent
many hours making it by hand, there’s a little more doubt, perhaps,
in that person’s mind as to what I actually did in the creation of
that piece. With the filigree piece, they seem to know that I
actually made the thing, and eventhough they may not want something
of that style, they figure I must be able to really MAKE jewelry if I
can make that. If I’d pictured a bracelet or necklace made with
beads, albeit beads handcrafted one at a time by me, they would have
assumed I’d just assembled a piece with store-bought beads. I used to
have a picture of a terrific necklace I’d done. I’d made all the
components- the chain, the filigree focal pieces, the clasp, wired
the other beads in the chain, etc. It was assumed I’d just assembled
it from manufactured chain and focal bits, until I explained I’d
actually MADE the whole thing. That’s why I switched to a pendant
for this one, a little less confusion in that area. Anyway, what I
suppose I’m trying to say is that although the one picture on your
card may not show your entire breadth of work, since it can’t unless
you only make one piece over & over again, it should represent to
some degree your style, and also represent your level of skill and
craftsmanship when it comes to making jewelry.

Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher

37

I could not agree more with neils post, and I totally agree with
whiteside about a persons picture being tacky on a card. If I get a
computer printed card I throw it away. Also we all bitch about the
internet stealing sales from us yet most use the internet to buy
cards. Did anyone suggest a local printer. Every town has a printer
may cost a few bucks more but you get what you want, AND they might
be a future customer. My printer is one of my customers, I have made
back way more than I have spent. Everytime I go to any shop someone
gets my card, I buy my books locally and just sold a ring to the
manager of the bookstore. I will never buy a book online when I can
get it locally and give out a card.

Bill Wismar

38 
VistaPrint is hard to avoid since they do so much advertising, but
I much prefer http://gotprint.net

This topic is also being discussed on an artist website, and Vista
prints came up. This is what was said about them there. I’d check
them out before I’d give them my card #.

I hope the following is helpful.
Carla

"Oh for god's sake don't use Vistaprint. Vistaprint is widely
known for horrible fraud. They take your card number for one of
their "FREE Business Cards -- you just pay shipping" deals then
charge your card $9.95 every month for some dubious service you
didn't know you signed up for. Cancelling this recurring charge
is nearly impossible. People report having to cancel their
credit cards and anyone who doesn't scrutinize their bills never
knows it's happening. Search Google for "Vistaprint" and "Fraud"
39 
Pictures? I dunno. Seems confining to me. But done the right way,
maybe. If you put your signature piece on the card, are you sure
'everybody' loves it?

Of course not. Is there a single piece of jewelry made that
everybody loves? I don’t think I’ve seen that piece yet. But if it
conveys your style, it lets people know if they should spend their
valuable time to check your website now and again to see what you’ve
done lately.

40

Well, in response to what Bill said about using the local vendor,
that is certainly a good idea. I do use a local printer for some
things, and very often when I go into a local store, whatever type it
might be, I end up leaving my card. I like to get toys from the local
toy store, tools & such from the local hardware store, books from the
local bookstore. I still like to use on-line shops for some things,
though, including Vistaprint for my business cards and post cards.
And in response to what Carla said about fraud, I am sorry to hear
that there is a problem out there, supposedly with their site. I’ve
been using them for quite a while now and have had no problems.

Oh, and in regards to Bill’s comment about the pictures, “…a
persons picture being tacky on a card…”, 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
Designs by Lisa Gallagher