Designing a Business Card

[Izulde]

So, I was talking to one of our clients today, giving them name suggestions and ideas for things to have at a music event they're running later this summer.

They ask me for my business card. I mention I don't have one (this is just an unpaid internship after all). The response: "You need to make a business card for yourself. You do brilliant work, and I'd love to promote you."

I honestly never considered a business card for consulting, and I have no idea how to go about designing one.

Just off the top of my head, so far in this internship I've written press releases, come up with names and taglines for events, given ideas for how to generate and maximize revenue at various events, and written/edited copy of call scripts and business-related plans. That's in terms of areas I think I could provide on a freelance/consultancy basis. I don't yet have even close to the number of contacts and relationships to legit call myself a PR consultant I don't think.

So I'm not sure what to call myself titlewise, if I should come up with a catchy name and logo, or what information to provide beyond name and email (address won't be on there because I don't have a business address for that sort of thing, and I'm not sure about including phone).

Figured I'd pick FOFC's brains for ideas and/or general principles to look for.

[JPhillips]

Do you feel comfortable telling your boss this? It could end up ugly if they find out their client is promoting you to others.

[Izulde]

Very comfortable. In fact, that's one of his aims during internships (the whole staff is on internship basis) - to assist in developing the individual careers of his interns.

[stevew]

American Psycho: Business Card Scene - YouTube

[timmae]

Originally Posted by Izulde

*snip*

Just off the top of my head, so far in this internship I've written press releases, come up with names and taglines for events, given ideas for how to generate and maximize revenue at various events, and written/edited copy of call scripts and business-related plans. That's in terms of areas I think I could provide on a freelance/consultancy basis. I don't yet have even close to the number of contacts and relationships to legit call myself a PR consultant I don't think.

*snip*

Are there "legit" PR consultants that just focus on the tasks that you mention above? If so, use the title. Or throw Freelance PR Aristocrat in there or something. Have fun with it. Some great designers have made their name on a first single contact that blossomed. Just make sure that anything you use doesn't come back to haunt you down the road.

[Edward64]

Not sure what your budget is but I would stay away from the do it your own, print on Staples perforated business cards.

If you have money to spend, get a professional logo and cards printed out. There are alot of services out there in the web to check out.

[timmae]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Not sure what your budget is but I would stay away from the do it your own, print on Staples perforated business cards.

If you have money to spend, get a professional logo and cards printed out. There are alot of services out there in the web to check out.

I haven't seen it for years but there used to be a site where designers could offer free designs and then your purchased the one you liked best. A quick search netted nothing but maybe that could be an avenue.

[stevew]

I think Vista Print is pretty cheap for ordering purposes

[MacroGuru]

Vista Print is probably your best resource.

As for doing it, as long as the boss is fine with it and other people coming to you outside the internship, then by all means, and PR Consultant is a gig.

[Julio Riddols]

Originally Posted by stevew

American Psycho: Business Card Scene - YouTube

This.

[RainMaker]

Yeah VistaPrint is great and really cheap.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by timmae

I haven't seen it for years but there used to be a site where designers could offer free designs and then your purchased the one you liked best. A quick search netted nothing but maybe that could be an avenue.

99 designs or fiver would either sort of fit this description.

[Young Drachma]

Moo.com

Don't overthink it.

Name, email address and/or phone number. No need for a title. Just a brief "Editor or whatever the hell it is you do" under your name.

Done.

These days you use cards less and less anyway with people willing to use linkedin or whatever, but it's nice to have them anyway for immediate contact or email reachout after meeting someone at an event or some kind of business gathering.

Can't hurt. Order 50 and if you need more, so be it.

[Autumn]

Frankly, in your situation I wouldn't put together a bare-bones business card. I think you're in a spot where something with a bit of style to it makes sense, just in the sense of a catchy description of what you do or your skills, something to stand out a bit. I've seen some funny/awesome business cards out there and while I don't think you need to go that far, people are looking to you for effective catchy writing, so use some on your card.

[timmae]

And go with a bold single color for of some sort. I equate business cards I have recently received with color when looking through a large stack.

As an side I still have a card that an artist I know did freehand. Very cool. Also a thin wood business card that was burned into shape by a woodworking artist. I will probably keep those forever.

[Izulde]

Thanks, guys. Definitely some things to consider. We do have three graphic design interns who do quality work, so that's another angle I might explore.