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Scott Horn Elite user Dallas, TX 417 Posts |
Any ideas on bits of business to put on a business card. Perhaps a force card, optical illusion, cartoon? Looking for ideas for something to give it a little more punch.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
A business card is the most save piece of advertisement you have. If I were you I would put a well dressed smiling picture of yourself, a very brief reason "WHY I SHOULD HIRE YOU", and your contact information. I have had people hire me solely because someone handed them my business card.
What works for me Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
If you make you business cards to complicated, too busy, you may lose prospective clients. Yes you must make it attractive and professional looking. But you want people to be able to view it later at a glance and tell what it is. People don't like to read too much. I have for years had only a business card with one colour ink on white stock, stating my company/name , what service we provide, and our contact info. I have seen people put pictures (not nescessarily a bad thing, but can be if it is a bad picture) on full colour cards with lots of graphics. They paid a pretty penny for it too. I got more bookings. There may be other reasons, but the main point of advertising, whichever form, is to get people to see your name. The more times they see it, the more they remember. So if they can't focus on your name/service with just a glance, than there is likely more chance for them to toss the card.
Now having said that...I have recently added a colour wash to my card and made it glossy. The glossy form is good to have even if just a simple card. The reason is if they do keep the card, it has to withstand being put through business card hell (pants pocket, sweat, spills, tears....) In designing also, you have to look at your target market. What do they usually respond to? The last word though, is that people will hold onto your card, no matter what it looks like, if they really want to book you in the future. So to give your cards more punch, you have to have more punch. |
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
I want to ad too, that in advertising class, I designed a print ad (in a magazine) for NIKE that got me 100%.
It was simple a bid red arrow starting at the top that pointed to a word in black at the bottom the page. The word was NIKE. I based the concept on the idea of misdirection. In magic I knew that if you pointed to something people look. And red attracts the eye best. Hence stop signs and red lights. We have been trained red means warning, look, pay attention. The point of the ad was to get someone to flip through a magazine and only at a glance see the nike name, really focus on it. It worked. |
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Joe Xavier Regular user Borneo Islands 149 Posts |
I would suggest the use of a simple but straight to the point business card. Let it be empty so you can fill it out yourself for future use.
Mine is glossy and printed with my logo in the middle. Since I do mentalism a lot, I leave the other side of the card blank for me to write predictions or even revelations. |
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
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There are quite a few AWESOME discussions here about the "BUSINESS" card which you can find with the "SEARCH" tool for free. Bottom line, your "BUSNESS" Card should be just that, a BUSINESS card. By their own obvious definition; a "BUSINESS" Card should advance your BUSINESS in some marked and discernable fashion! MOST performers (and other business owners) cards I see are, in fact NOT "BUSINESS" Cards at all, they are merely "Calling Cards" with a logo and contact info... THAT does NOT fit the definition of a "BUSINESS" Card. A Lead Generation Device or Magnet offer, a call to ACTION, a business OFFER or “something” to advance the business building process… something! – See what I mean? Do a search here for FREE and you WILL see lots of great discussions and maybe even get what I mean. Hope that helps! I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano in Reno <>< .
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
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Scott Horn Elite user Dallas, TX 417 Posts |
Thanks for the input. In my "day job" my business card is, as noted, a calling card. It has my compnay, my company's logo, my name, title, and how to get in touch with me.
For magical entertainment, I was looking to add something to the back, possibly unrelated to "pure" magic (e'g. optical illusion), but to serve as a hook, (or gimmick) to have people want to hang on to the card, if only as a novelty. I have found that many times I have discarded business cards that I didn't need at the time, but weeks or months later I wanted it. At "work" I have over 300 that I do need, so as bland as most are, I rarely keep the one I don't think I will use. |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I think that is part of the point. Instead of having your card be "Bland" you should of your card being a "Brand". The brand is you and how you brand yourself in your marketing materials makes you as unique as you are and the services you give. Your business card should also reflect directly on this as well.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
I have a friend who spent ($10,000) TEN THOUSAND Dollars on making his card "unique" and making people want to KEEP his card... and boy howdy did it do THAT!
It WORKED! YEP, they ALL wanted one of his custom die-cut cards with a toy spinner build right on to it... cool eh'? Nope... the "BUSINESS" result? A big-fat BUST! Nuthin', zero, zilch, nadda... yep $10.000 for ZERO Return! That is right... not a single booking, BUT it sure was a killer card! Unique up the wazzoo... EVERYBODY wanted one... They all KEPT it... YEP, cool card but no paid gigs or business improvement! (Honestly it COST him at-least $10,000. bucks! He too admitted it was NOT “worth-it!” So what… what does that have to do with US, here? My question to all of us is; "What Do You WANT and Need From our BUSINESS Card?" and "How Does That (Your BUSINESS Card!) bring you closer to the RESULTS you need?" Just some questions to ponder... I am, as always, at your service and In HIS Service, Dean <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
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Joe Xavier Regular user Borneo Islands 149 Posts |
I never thought of a business card as a calling card. WOw...
Really opened my eyes there! So I basically have to include what I do and how to book me in the business card? |
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TheAmazingSteveo Inner circle 1581 Posts |
I used to have a business card that had a heat sensitive square on the back of it with a meter that showed if a person was calm to .. somebody who was tense. It was something they would keep to show other people (do a reading on their friends).
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
How about doing a good enough show that they keep the card?
this has worked quite well for me for 20 years. if you are down to "hoping against hope" that they keep the card and have to basically "trick" them into keeping the thing then you have to examine your show now don't you. the card should be business like and reflect your show and personality and fit in well with your marketing materials. should be simple and not too busy. as The Dean has expressed you quickly reach a point of diminishing returns with them. of course it is a calling card, what else would it be?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
My business cards have three purposes: First, it is an integral part of one of my favorite table-hopping and close-up routines. Second, it provides those people specifically interested in contacting me with a reminder to call and the means to find me.
Third...AND MOST IMPORTANT...it serves as a "foot-in-the-door", "I'll-show-you-mine-if-you-show-me-yours" method of getting your hands on THEIR business and calling cards. This, in my opinion, should be the ultimate goal of any business person. 95% of all business cards wind up in the trash, in a forgotten drawer or stuffed into an overflowing Rolodex. By collecting THEIR business cards you increase YOUR referral base. You're in control of helping THEM remember YOU rather than counting on them to recall you on their own...an unlikely proposition! With their card in hand you add another contact to send periodic reminders to in the form of Thank You, Birthday & Anniversary Cards, newsletters, news clippings, notes of congratulations, business referrals, breakfast or luncheon invitations, appearance notices and so on. Your business card is statistically destined for a lonely, dusty, forgotten spot in some landfill. Their business card is a seed that, with careful cultivation, can blossom into a massive, branching tree bearing the fruit of unlimited word-of-mouth referrals! The successful business person plants an orchard of such trees! Put less effort and concern into what your card looks like and more effort into how to get THEIRS and what you'll do with it once you get it. Another perspective, Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
An excellent point Skip. This is the real big secret. Just remember to write down on their card where you collected it from (event) and any other relevent info you can think of. This will help in future marketing and targeting the right demographic.
Having said that though, I am always surprised at how people will call me that have had my business card for over three years before calling (it happend 3 times last year). Talk about a long life for a calling card! |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Skip brings up a wonderful point I would like to elaborate on a bit. He said my magic word, which is "getting their business card in return". I call myself an active-style marketer. I do use some passive forms of marketing, but I always try and train my mind to think in a more active format.
For me, when I give out a card, I always try to ask for a card in return. By doing so I am now kept in control of the sales process and can use their information to send them out a thank you note or card when I get home. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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magicman226 Loyal user San Antonio, Texas 234 Posts |
I just made my own business cards and printed them on card stock. Mine are pretty basic, but they look nice. There is a trick that I want that makes ur business card light up in flames, and then you can hand it to someone without the flame. Someone did this to me, and I personally loved it. Unfortunately, my mom probably doesn't want me messing with fire. Maybe in a couple of months though.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Yeah, it is best to do as your mom tells you to do. Messing around with fire effects can be dangerous and there are a lot of safety precuations and factors that you will need to remember before working with them. There are other effects you can still do with your cards that will work nicely for you if you want to do an effect with your card before handing it out to someone.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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magicman226 Loyal user San Antonio, Texas 234 Posts |
At the IBM meetings we draw for prizes, which are usually tricks. I won once, and I got an effect that has their card on the back of your business card. I haven't really started using it, but I bet that'd be a great way to hand a card out.
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
I will only ask again:
How does what ever you choose to use on your card ADVANCE BUSINESS and the very best SOLUTION for the individuals and business who will take and/or keep your card? Dose some "TRICK" solve their pressing business wants, needs, desires, outcome and pressing considerations? If it really does, do it! If not, you may wish to figure out what WILL in fact help tem get more of what THEY need most. Is it a "Calling Card" or is it a "BUSINESS Card!"? (See my previous post and question…) It's up to each of us to figure that out for ourselves and the people and business we serve! Just asking. - - Any answers! I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
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r1238ex Regular user 102 Posts |
Is there any site dedicated for magician's Business Cards design?
please let me know thanks in advance r1238ex |
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