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    Business cards go creative, and cheap

    By Marci Alboher, Working the New Economy | Work + Money – Wed, May 13, 2009 1:52 AM EDT

    Getty ImagesGetty ImagesRecently I went to a conference without any business cards. When people asked me about it, I said I was "going green" and saving paper. In truth, I just forgot. I know. That's a weird move for a career columnist. But in my case, business cards don't serve much use anymore. I have a website and email address so easy to remember that if anyone wants to find me, all they need to do is remember to spell Marci with an "i" not a "y." And you can find me on pretty much any social network.

    That said, I'm in the minority on this one. As I quickly learned when I wondered aloud on Twitter whether people still care about business cards now that so much of our contact information is posted online. Moments after my tweet, I was barraged with messages from people who are still clinging closely to their business cards. Job hunters need them. Those seeking clients need them. And if you're dealing with people from other cultures, proper business cards are expected.

    Business cards are not only here to stay, but they have grown up and adapted to today's ways of working. The new thinking on business is cheap, creative, and versatile -- perfect for people in transition, juggling multiple work identities, or those changing jobs so often that they need to quickly replenish them.

    One of the most innovative companies making business cards is Moo, which offers custom and ready-made options displaying a customer's photos, a logo, or a range of colorful or whimsical designs by Moo's artists. Packages of cards -- which come in the memorable mini size or standard size -- can even feature a different image on each one. There are a variety of models available at fairly reasonable prices. The MiniCards cost $19.99 for a 100 card pack; business size cards start at $21.00 for a 50 card with discounts for larger quantities.

    If Moo is the everyman or woman's do-it-yourself creative option, some companies, like Lego -- and these folks -- have gone even more high concept. And while we're focusing on things over-the-top, have a look at Meat Cards, a new experiment in making business cards out of -- you guessed it -- beef jerky. They have the unique selling point of being edible once the contact information is captured.

    The other big direction in business cards is cheap. And when it comes to cheap, lots of folks are singing the praises of VistaPrint which offers 250 basic business cards for ridiculously low prices. Through various coupons and offers, cards are available for the price of shipping (about $5.95), or even for free as long as you're willing to have an advertisement for VistaPrint's free cards on your business cards. Other sites for ultra-cheap or free card offers include: ooprint, GigglePrint, 123Print, and GotPrint.

    Finally, the information on business cards is changing. Whereas the big space-eater used to be numerous phone numbers and emails, more people are including their online profiles on business cards. If you're data is always changing, then store it in an online place -- say, a personal website, LinkedIn, VisualCV, or Google's new personal profile service -- and include that link on your business card.

    Which brings me back to the whole environmental issue. If you use your print business card merely to direct people to an online place where your full data can be found, maybe you wouldn't have to kill so many trees every time you change your contact information.

    Have you done anything creative, bold or original with your business cards?

     

    12 comments

    • plastic card
      plastic card  •  Islamabad, Pakistan  •  1 month 18 days ago
      Business card get advancement as well day by day
      Plastic Card
      Plastic Card Printing
      ScrAtch CaRds
    • Robin Willson
      Robin Willson  •  8 months ago
      If you are looking for the cheapest business cardson the market you have come to the right place. We will print quality business cards on your chosen type of card, not cheap looking business cards.

      http://www.printing.staff-india.com
    • Muddassar Shah
      Muddassar Shah  •  1 year 3 months ago
      you really want to start making business cards that really stand out and leave a lasting impression then you’re going to need to come up with some amazing ideas and implement them on your creative business card designs. There are many factors that go into making these little promotional pieces so special.
      Discount Cards.
    • Emily
      Emily  •  3 years 0 months ago
      I just ordered a new batch through Zazzle.com. I completely customized the design to spec using their software and they shipped the next day. Expecting delivery today!
    • Shoestring
      Shoestring  •  3 years 0 months ago
      A new trend is forgoing print business cards for virtual business cards. Mashable did a great write up of the top ten iphone business card apps. Best of all, most are free.

      http://mashable.com/2009/05/09/iphone-business-card-apps/

      meghan ~ shoestringmag.com
    • LISA
      LISA  •  3 years 0 months ago
      I just bought Mini Moo cards and love them! When I went to the BlogHer Conference a couple of years ago, so many people had them. They are really cute and let you be creative. I even added my picture. I had received a card with a picture from someone and it was wonderful. Because then I could connect the information with the face long after meeting the person.

      My old cards were free with VistaPrint, but I had way too many. I ended up throwing half of them away when I got my new Moo cards. Information changes and cards need to be updated. I started blogging and freelance writing and needed to add that new information. 100 cards is a good amount.

      Lisa aka "Anali"
      http://analisfirstamendment.blogspot.com/
    • Just Me
      Just Me  •  3 years 0 months ago
      Handed my business card to someone who gave it to somene else who called me and we ended up married. How's that for networking>>>>>>>>
    • Nan Palmero
      Nan Palmero  •  3 years 0 months ago
      I suggest www.overnightprints.com with coupons from www.retailmenot.com - the exceeds that of vistaprint and the pricing is quite similar.
    • Serge
      Serge  •  3 years 0 months ago
      Marci

      Depending on the event I am attending I either take my 'concierge' card or more often than not my 'blog' card when I go to wine tastings, restaurants, Japan Society lectures, food events and book signings.

      For 'Serge the Concierge' (the blog) I print my own cards.

      At crowded events I might on occasion run out of cards or on harried days leave them behind.

      In that case I let people know that they can always google me as 'the french guy from new jersey' and find me. This tag has also the advantage to make most people smile.

      I do like Moo's whimsical offers and if I use a printer of any kind would rather make small batches of the cards (couple hundreds).

      It gives more flexibility as services (such as Twitter) always pop up and you might want to keep this type of contact info always fresh.

      My 2 cents

      Bonne journee

      Serge
      'The French Guy from New Jersey'
      Blog:
      http://www.sergetheconcierge.com
    • Shannan
      Shannan  •  3 years 0 months ago
      Business cards are definitely an important part of business, especially when it comes to networking. I have this huge binder at work to hold all the cards my boss collects. In fact
      I was looking for business cards for my boss a couple weeks ago - he wanted full color on both sides and that UV coating so they're pretty much indestructible PLUS a new design but he was in a cheap mood and ran out of patience looking for them himself so, of course, I get to hunt these things down, right? Pain in my booty... anyways, to make a long story short, Google gave me Print Quickness (www.printquickness.com) and I was able to get him exactly what he was looking for and then some, seriously, 5,000 business cards for $75 and they had them to us in just a few days (and I'm not going to have to deal with the whole business card thing for a while. What exactly do you do with 5,000 business cards?).
    • TLB
      TLB  •  3 years 0 months ago
      In regards to your environmental concerns...check out www.greenerprinter.com - they are even more affordable if you use the self-design feature with their downloadable templates. Printed on 100% recycled paper, with soy and vegetable-based ink and also available with an eco-friendly acqueous/UV coating. I personally have not used them yet...decided to go cheap and get the FREE BCs from VistaPrint, only paid $8 for shipping for 250 cards.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  3 years 0 months ago
      I have business cards that when they are folded and dropped on the ground, they look like money. Awesome way to get your name out there, and it's a really cool icebreaker! Just do a google on dollar bill business cards, they're GREAT!
     Post a comment

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