I’m a little late on this but here goes. The other day I was looking
for a specific card I had a whole pile to go through. As I went
through the pile I noticed several with pictures. Just by seeing the
picture I new exactly who the card belonged to. All the others I had
to read the title because no matter how creative the card it was
still another printed card. I think the photo is a visual link to the
product.
Dave
Yes, a picture of the jewelry MAKER on the business card would be rather odd.
Never underestimate the ego of some people. I have seen it done in
the jewelry biz. A couple of them local to me.
Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com
Yes, a picture of the jewelry MAKER on the business card would be rather odd.
You know, I never considered putting a head shot on a card, but I’m
considering it now…
I probably won’t do it, but I’m not sure it’s a bad idea for someone
who does art fairs. My current card has text on one side and a very
nice color picture on the other. It also has a small graphic on the
text side. It would be easy to sub a face in that space, and
customers can see me from farther away at a show than they can my
work. ( I am also reluctant to redo my display because it is
recognizable. Sadly, I must replace my pedestal covers by spring,
and I wish I could just get more of the same fabric.)
Anyway, part of the experience of buying directly from the artist is
the connection with the person who made the piece, and putting your
face on your card might help foster that sence of connection.
Noel
Anyway, part of the experience of buying directly from the artist is the connection with the person who made the piece, and putting your face on your card might help foster that sence of connection.
Exactly! That’s what I was thinking, and you put it into words
exactly right.
Elaine
Yes, a picture of the jewelry MAKER on the business card would be
rather odd.
Never underestimate the ego of some people. I have seen it done in the jewelry biz. A couple of them local to me.
I think this is sort of interesting, the responses to this idea.
Does it offend us when our real estate agents and mortgage brokers
put their pictures on their cards? Do we think they have huge egos?
Nah, we know they just put the picture on their so we can remember
who the heck they are.
These days, little head shots are everywhere. Everyone has their
headshot on their blog, on their website, wherever else. If it’s all
over the internet, why not on paper?
Elaine
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com ™
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay
Apologies if this is past due, my internet service has been down.
Regarding photos on cards:
Last summer I pulled artist cards of some of my favorite artists at
all the shows I was in. This Fall I sorted thru them. Every time I
touched a card with a photo on it I remembered the artist, the work,
and even where we had a chat about their work. I highly recommend a
professionally shot photo on your card. It looks professional, it
serves as a visual reminder of you and your work, and its a
wonderful little present for those who take them.
Then I came to the cards that were just printed…some were done
professionally and looked great, but they did not have the impact or
“memorability” that the photo cards did. And some had absolutely
useless info on them…Like Thomas Lawn-artist + an address for
Delta Sprays Inc. Hello!? why did I pull that card? I have no idea.
I was tsk tsking my way thru the pile of printed cards and was
stopped dead in my tracks by one. It was professionally printed on
heavy stock, it had been well designed, and even had a foiled logo.
But the info was useless. I had no idea what the artist did beyond
being a metalsmith. It was my own card, that I had written info on
the back. People LOVE my card, I get comments on it all the time.
But you wouldn’t know if I was a jeweler, iron worker, or what? from
my card. I have now retired the card and am doing photo cards.
Regarding computer generated cards:
Don’t do it. They are easy to spot, look tacky, and don’t say much
about you and the quality of work you do. Photo cards are so
inexpensive, get some.
And about not using a local printer:
I use my local printers whenever I can, I even got a fancy Chrims
card from them as one of their preferred customers. But for my new
photo business cards I’m using Overnightprints.com. I can order as
few as 100 cards from them for under $20. I can play with my design,
change out my photo, and order 100 more. Its cheap, easy, I can do
the design and layout, and I have a variety of cards, to hand
customers depending on what they want. I even have a photo on both
sides!
At a show this summer pull some artist cards and sort thru them a
month later. See which ones speak to you and which ones leave you
cold. I bet you’ll be as surprised as I was.
hth
Carla
Yes, a picture of the jewelry MAKER on the business card would be rather odd. Never underestimate the ego of some people
Rick, your response to the top comment stung a wee bit. When I put
my photo(as explained yesterday) on my card, ego had absolutely
nothing to do with it. Unless by ego you mean do I want people to
remember me and my work? Because I sure as hell do!
Now some of us are naturally going to be more photogenic than
others. This means nothing, of course, in light of the work and the
personality involved in making it. But you could still argue that a
photo might work better for some than others. I kind of look the
part, whatever that is, so I’m comfortable with my photo. But I
assure you that there is no trace of the negative style of ego you
seem to be referring to.
Rick, I know you didn’t mean any personal dig. I’m only suggesting
the artist picture issue is broader than the ego question you raise.
And Noel, I found your comments very interesting, and it sounds like
you might be leaning my way. From the photos of you I’ve seen, you
look very “artsy”, and that’s a compliment. I think it would work for
you. Go for it!
Allan Mason
I’m surprised at the longevity of this thread.
I guess it’s part of our human nature that we spend too much time
struggling for answers when the answers are available from other
professionals, and quickly.
Everyone and anyone experienced in the creation of marketing
materials on a professional level knows and understands that an
image of a human being in marketing materials increases the chance
that it will be read and enhances its believability. It’s the simple
"human" connection and it is very powerful. As is the smile.
Business cards with a person’s picture on them are kept longer than
ones without. That’s a simple fact, and not altered by your opinion
or mine. Of course, if it is your card, you get to do anything you
wish, but my point is that and guidance on the design,
layout and copy for marketing materials is a science/art form in
itself…and available in many books on the subject.
Wayne Emery
I had never thought about a personal photo and would probably not use
one myself. an odd thought came up however. When was the last time
you saw a realtors card without their picture or for that matter any
real estate add without photos of the realtors. I’m sure their is
some marketing research backing up the use of personal photos in
advertising.
Dave
Does it offend us when our real estate agents and mortgage brokers put their pictures on their cards? Do we think they have huge egos? Nah, we know they just put the picture on their so we can remember who the heck they are.
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.
I produce a product. I want to people to remember my work not my
face. That’s why there is a picture of my work on my card and not a
picture of me. To put a picture of me on my card would be an act of
pure egocentricity.
Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com
Don’t put your face on a business card; it’s like a real estate
agent. The work is the important thing not your face.
Yes, a picture of the jewelry MAKER on the business card would be rather odd.
You might consider looking at this subject from the standpoint of
safety/ security.
Some of the less well intentioned elements could benefit by having
copies of your business card with your picture on it. It would be
very easy for them or some of their cohorts to identify you in a
parking lot setting up or breaking down from a show etc. or on a
street in a jewelry district.
For reasons of safety we never let anyone take our picture in shows,
put it on the internet or in magazines etc.
Best regards,
Robert Lowe
Tucson - Feb 6 - 11, 2008 - GJX booth # 205
I don’t think this is comparing apples to oranges, the customer is
not buying THE product, they are buying YOUR product.
They like what YOU do.
Look at it from their point of view, they like your work but they
want a ring,say, not earrings, and with a different stone. They spent
time talking to you and will remember your face, more than your work,
when they see it on the card.
We are all not used to blowing our own trumpets, but they don’t see
it like that, to the customer it is just something to jog their
memory.
I am as bad as the next person, I like being a jeweller because I
can sit in a workshop on my own, and make stuff. I can’t do it
without customers though.
regards Tim.
(who will do new business cards on the strengh of this thread.
Perhaps Hanuman might do a business card page like the one about
benches?)
For reasons of safety we never let anyone take our picture in shows, put it on the internet or in magazines etc.
Ah, yes, “The Columbians”, among others, are very active in our neck
of the woods. That’s a gang of thieves, for those who aren’t aware -
not a racial thing.
Rick, your response to the top comment stung a wee bit. When I put my photo (as explained yesterday) on my card, ego had absolutely nothing to do with it. Unless by ego you mean do I want people to remember me and my work? Because I sure as hell do!
Apologies that my comments seem to have rubbed some the wrong way.
Perhaps it’s my naturally introverted personality showing through. I
do shows and promote my work simply to sell my work in order to grow
my business. I would prefer it if I never had to leave my studio and
be left alone with my rocks and metal and no one would see my face.
Most shows require that the artist be present. That requirement puts
me out in the public eye for as much time as I care for. I live in a
small community and it is always a thrill when my wife or a friend
wears my jewelry in public and someone recognizes it as my work.
Notice that the thrill is derived from recognition of my work, not
me. I prefer being the man behind the curtain pulling the handles (in
reference to the wizard in the classic movie the Wizard of OZ).
I guess it comes down to personalities and goals in life. My
personality is introverted and more workman like and I’m satisfied by
the work itself. If you are more of an extrovert and the recognition
is what you seek then put your face out there in public. Not for me
thank you.
Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com
I produce a product. I want to people to remember my work not my face. That's why there is a picture of my work on my card and not a picture of me. To put a picture of me on my card would be an act of pure egocentricity.
OK, so don’t do it–no one is trying to make you! But it is a
marketing decision, not an issue of egocentricity.
At One of a Kind, I was recognized (away from my booth and without
my badge) for the first time, from my picture in Art Jewelry. I
can’t say it sold more jewelry, and it was a funny feeling. But as
to ego-- it did stroke mine, I’ll admit-- I will go so far as to say
that, at least for those of us who design as well as produce, a
certain strength of ego is natural, even essential. If you don’t
believe you have a point of view, an ability, a take on things in
some way, that is different from what others do, better, even, at
least for some folks, then why would you be doing what you are? You
can “produce a product” by working in a factory.
There is nothing whatsoever wrong with preferring personal anonymity
and letting the work speak for you. But self-promotion is a
necessity if you are to succeed more than minimally. And if I become
convinced that putting my face out there will help with that, then I
cannot afford not to do it, and if someone concludes I am an
egomaniac, then so be it.
A final note-- I have noticed that artists seem to fall into two
categories, those whose satisfaction comes entirely from the act of
creation, and those for whom public appreciation is a necessary part
of the process. As a member of the latter category, I cannot
conceive of being satisfied by making stuff and putting it in a
closet. Might as well destroy it as soon as it’s made, in which
case, might as well not bother in the first place. This may be a
sign of too weak an ago rather than too strong a one, but there it
is.
Kinda far from “business card hints”, but this is the kind of
analysis that keeps me amused…
Noel
Robert, you bring up a good point.
As a part of the jewelry class that my husband was in last year (an
accredited program), we learned some points on safety.
First, Carry a cell phone!
Do not have your picture bandied about as it leads to
identification of someone who works with steal-able products.
Do not take the same route to work, school, home, to
McDonalds…do not have a repeatable routine.
Do not leave your briefcase/bag in the vehicle…take it in with
you even if it’s for supper.
Park in lighted areas.
Do not hang around in abandoned or minimally populated areas.
(Don’t be the last to leave a party, the last to leave from class,
etc.)
Have 2 locks on all doors/entries to your home and where you
work. Windows ought to have guards so they can only be opened two or
four inches.
Have a safe in your home.
Be aware of your surroundings. Know when strangers are coming in.
Make it a habit to notice people, even while you work, are in class,
or at dinner. When people leave, make it a habit of noting what they
look like from behind and notice where, in relation to the door
frame, they are in height.
Don’t make your bank drop on the same day with the same person if
you can help it.
Know your neighbors and let them get to know you. Neighborhood
watch programs are your friends!
I know there is more, but I can’t remember. Safety is a big
issue…we’re dealing with stones and metals that can add up in cost
quickly. Also, be sure your insurance is written with your
requirements in mind. One girl was going to put us on a policy and I
asked three times for her to be CERTAIN of what was covered. When I
told her I wanted to see, IN WRITING, ON THE CONTRACT, the
specifications I requested, she never called back. They would have
gladly insured me for extra, happy to not pay me if something
happened because I didn’t check my policy thoroughly and demand
specifics be put in writing (I was told it was understood, or that
certain phrases in the contract included just what I was talking
about. My response was "I want a contract that says what it means."
They tried to tell me I just wasn’t understanding 'insurance terms’
and such. When I explained that I understood the terms fine, defined
them for her, then told her what the contract needed to read, she
stammered she’d get back to us.
Kim
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.
OK, well I suppose I had this picture in my head (no pun intended)
of a realtor’s card, with contact & then a smiling
portrait next to the And I really don’t find that
egotistic in their case, as they are selling themselves, in effect,
not their creations. However, for a jeweler (or any other type of
artist), that just seems odd to me. That being said, if you have
picture(s) of your jewelry, too, and in your case it sounds like that
is the dominant image, then I suppose an added little picture of your
“humble old” self on the back isn’t too odd. 
As someone else
said, it does help the customer remember who YOU are, and not just
your jewelry. If there’s just room for one picture, though, that’s
when I think it a bit odd to just show yourself & not your work.
JMHO.
Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher
Noel,
A final note-- I have noticed that artists seem to fall into two categories, those whose satisfaction comes entirely from the act of creation, and those for whom public appreciation is a necessary part of the process. As a member of the latter category, I cannot conceive of being satisfied by making stuff and putting it in a closet. Might as well destroy it as soon as it's made, in which case, might as well not bother in the first place. This may be a sign of too weak an ago rather than too strong a one, but there it is.
I think you have summarized the two ends of the spectrum with the
artist’s ego beautifully. I recently agreed to have a gallery
represent my work and it has worked out beautifully. The gallery
owner is the exact opposite of me. Has her picture as large as the
door when you walk into her gallery. But she knows jewelry and
marketing and has an affluent customer list. It is always funny when
she looks at my pieces and my prices. She jokes, “Is this the
wholesale price?” Then says, “Maybe in your world but not in mine.”
Then marks it up 3-4 times what I had it marked at. And it sells.
Sometimes before I leave the gallery.
So in a nutshell what you term as a “weak ego” I prefer
“introverted”. An introverted person might not see the intrinsic
value in their work and price it merely thinking of cost of time and
materials. On the other side of the coin a “strong ego” or
“extroverted” person may overprice their work. Thinking in terms of
the value of their creativity.
We have seemed to have traveled far from the business card topic
into personalities and the reasons to create. But you won’t see my
picture on my business card. There are very few actual pictures of
me. I am the most camera shy person there is. I would rather people
recognize my work than me. And they do. I got a number of calls this
year following shows with people wanting to buy my jewelry. It was
the picture of my work on my card they were looking at. I was just a
voice over the phone or the person responding to the email.
Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com
I would prefer it if I never had to leave my studio and Be left alone with my rocks and metal and no one would see my face.
Thanks you, Rick, for putting my feelings into words (without the
wife). Made the comment once that I need to sell to be able to
support my habit and passion. Not everyone can relate to rocks and
metal like that.
Bobbie Horn