What have you found worthwhile to put on there? Or do you use something other than business cards? Roll your own or have them printed? Multi-color or not?

I keep mine pretty simple: name, title: Vocalist - Keyboard Entertainer, telephone number, and website address, with an added line inviting people to listen to my song demos there. It's proven effective at securing gigs (at least for me).

Scott

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http://scottyee.com

Ditto!

Gary

I ordered mine from a web printing company that has since disappeared. That's too bad because my card is awesome - a grey background with a close-up picture of a keyboard on the right side along with my logo, name and contact info on the left - all on glossy stock. It looks great and I've been told several times that it's one of the best looking business cards around. It only cost me something like $55 for 1000. The company I bought them from had an online web design page that I used to design and order from, but as I said they no longer exist.

I can't say enough about getting a professional-looking biz card because sometimes that's the only thing that some of your clients will see. I see a lot of cheap home-made cards floating around that look terrible. This is the single most important promo money you'll spend IMHO - go for the best.

I make my own, multicolored, and print them as needed, always sure to have a good supply with me, of course. One advantage of making your own, is that you can occassionally tweek them plus have a few different styles, each having a slightly different emphasis.

If you do make your own, be sure it looks professional and of high quality. Otherwise, have them made by a print shop.

Glenn

You should be able to give a card to a local printer and have it duplicated. Or scan it into your computer and make your own.

Glenn

I dunno - the image is super clear and clean and the stock is glossy. It really stands out against any home-printed card by far... I love it when people see my card and say "wow"! I did the roll-your-own thing and thought it was cool until I saw this. No going back for me now. I have about half of my cards left so I have time to search around and find another specialty print shop to do the reprint order. If I find one I'll pass the info along.

I can tell you in the business world, especially at the IBM or Toyota level, a "roll your own" card is the kiss of death. Most high level purchasing agents use the quality of the card as an indication of capability and professionalism.And you can spot "roll you own" deals a mile away.

But, this is coming from someone who uses a corporate business card with no information about music at all...someone who dosen't have a web site, a promo package, or even a publicity photo....and I'm in the communication business.


Go figure


Russ

With today's software, anyone can print a very professional, custom business card, one that some printing companies cannot even match. The main difference is the card stock you print that card upon. Paper grades vary dramatically, and if you select inexpensive card stock, you'll end up with cheap looking cards. High-quality card stock, especially glossy, is fairly expensive, and in some instances, it's less expensive to design a great looking, professional quality card at home, one that looks exactly the way you want, then take it to a local printer and have it duplicated on quality card stock with raised lettering.

Cheers,

Gary

We have found that "roll your own" business cards are more than satisfactory in the market we are attempting to serve. (Music Industry) I agree with Russ about the "Corporate World" but it is a far cry from the twangalongs of Nashville.