To print new business cards.

I've kept my cards basic up to now, but considering making something nicer.

Would like you folks take on a decent business card design. A couple of questions.

What info do you think is necessary? I've used number, email, and website. Do you think there should be more or less?

What is your opinion on having a photo on the card?

And do you think it should look more "magiciany" or more professional?

Anyway, any views are welcome. I don't believe I've gotten very much out of handing out business cards, but people ask and it's a convenient way of giving info without writing things down.

Tech has gone past business cards. Most of the thinking about this has also gone well past paper cards.

It will depend 100% on the market you serve it wish to serve. All your questions are contained within those parameters. You want it to be acceptable within the group you are trying to work with.

I have not had business cards for decades. It really hasn’t hampered me one bit. Eugene Burger simply had a black card with his name, the word Magic, and his phone number on the back of in not mistaken for a while.

What do you wish to accomplish with the card? This will also tell you whether you want to include a “call to action” or what not.

With QR codes, social media and all the new tech things are much much different. Be aware of this so if your market uses new tools, so do you.

Also it is about your positioning in the market. In my case anyone who needs to get in touch with me can absolutely do so.

If you PM me with more of this type of information I can help you much more. Specifics will really make certain you get the right solution for you personally. It may be 100% wrong for someone else, but dead on right for you.

By the way it is a VERY smart thing to think about this. These things really matter.

Thanks Danny, it's appreciated.

I usually only hand out cards to people who ask. Generally (and just generally) I'll get their information if I can. But they almost always ask for a card in return.

This usually happens at company parties and some private events. Only occasionally hand out a card at anything else.

The only things I'm trying to accomplish is giving a way to contact me because they asked. Because I (usually) have gotten their contact already. Still, it would be nice if the card doesn't end up straight in the trash.

I have been using some digital business cards lately. I've found an app called "Blinq" to be pretty good for it.

Interesting that Eugene Burger went with something simple. One magician's card I received was so nice he has to be paying close to a dollar for each one.

I'm posting here instead of through PM in case someone can learn from the topic. Thanks again.

I never really believed in business cards until I heard someone say, prospects spend more time examining the business card than they would glancing at a billboard while on the highway. But unless it’s printed on pure gold the odds are good that it will end up in the trash. I would say that the next best thing to gold would be, using the space on the back in a helpful way. The back of a business card is often overlooked, but it presents a prime opportunity to provide your clients and contacts with additional useful information.

Some ideas for helpful things to include on the back of a business card include:

1. Contact information: In addition to your name, title, and primary contact details on the front, you could include secondary phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, or even a QR code linking to your online profile.

2. Company information: Provide a brief overview of your business, services offered, or unique selling propositions. This can help give the recipient a better understanding of what you do.

3. Calendar or schedule: Include a mini calendar, work hours, or availability information. This can be especially useful for professionals like consultants, therapists, or contractors.

4. Conversion charts: Depending on your industry, you could include handy reference information like currency exchange rates, measurement conversions, or other relevant metrics.

5. inspirational quote or motto: A thoughtful, motivational, or humorous quote can leave a lasting impression and give the recipient something to reflect on.

6. Blank space: Consider leaving a portion of the back blank, allowing you or the recipient to jot down notes, reminders, or additional contact details during your conversation.

7. A Magic Trick

8. A Professional Headshot.I personally don’t like this one and think a better photo would be one of you in front of a large audience. (Yes, photo shopped if need be)

9. A Customer Testimonial

10. A Discount Coupon. I like this one because I used it with great success when I was in the childcare business. A picture of a hundred-dollar bill with info on how it could be theirs.

Hope that gets you thinking,

Tom

Thanks for the ideas Tom, I have thought about a QR.

I use my business cards for various magic effects, so they act as a magical memento. One side has basic contact info, including QR code to my website, and the other side is mostly blank so the spectator can write on it.

I use Inject often too, so I often have specific QR codes stuck on the backs with directly link to certain Inject effects.

As a side note, if you decide to go down the business card route, getting a good quality card stock is important imo - ultimately you are leaving the spectator a “piece of you” which sells you when you aren’t there, so a nice quality card will convey a positive message.

In America people just do not keep business cards like they used to, if they ever really did at all.

I have always advocated for getting their information. It puts you in control of the contact.

Back when Xerox had their sales course they taught you to show up to an appointment with two business cards ready. One for the person you were meeting and one for their secretary. The second one probably being more important. This was so you were in each Rolodex. ( Interesting that predictive text in my iPhone didn’t even suggest that word!)

Business cards at one time really mattered. Today depending on the market they mean at the very least far less and possibly hardly anything at all.

The percentage of people keeping them is relatively low.

Still in all if you have them it is a great plan to have them as good as you can.

Do they make 3D cards? I saw some cool tickets that were 3D and they were awesome (I even made an effect out of them).... The QR code can be used for tips too correct? Perhaps something with some force numbers or images on it so you can do an effect with the card itself. I also had a business card trick where they thought of a number and it was on the back of some of the cards. They look at several biz cards and find their number on the back and you can identify what number they are thinking of (Can't remember the tricks name) but you'd need to make five or six different cards and then mix them(If you follow me)

I'm surprised how often I'm asked for a business card - but it's pretty common. My current card is more professional and includes website, e-mail, and business address since clients sometimes mail me checks.

Cards are not overly expensive to have printed these days, so I always have a small stack on me when I'm out performing. If I get one gig after handing out the 500 cards I order at a time, I've more than made my money back. When someone asks me for one, I'd much rather look prepared and have it available to hand out.

The back of my business card is the magic trick "Out To Lunch." And, I print my own off of my computer.