Business Sense: The Business of Business Cards

As a graphic designer, I know how important it is to get your name, brand, and company out there. If they don’t know about you, they can’t buy from you. It is just a fact of consumerism. This is no different in the world of hand-made goods. So this post is about the simplest tool you can use to get your name out there: The Business Card.

The first thing you need to figure out is what information is going to go on to you cards. Of course, you have your Etsy store name and online address since the point of this is to bring in new potential customers. Then you have to decide if you are going to list any other contact information. There is your personal name. On my cards I have my name listed so that when people try to contact me there is a sense of familiarity. I want people to feel like there are talking to a person, since that is what most of the hand-made movement is about. You can opt to add on an email address so that people can contact you outside of the Etsy site set-up. Many people will ask me about a contact phone number. I personally caution against this. Since you want you cards to be passed around from person to person, there is no telling who would end up with you private phone number. When and if you get to a point where you decide to have a business line, then I would suggest it.

So on my cards I have the following information:

Name: Alexis Roberts

Store Name: Strung Out Creations

Description: Hand Bead-woven Jewelry

Online Site: www.strungoutcreations.etsy.com

Now that you know what you want it to say it is time to find out what you want it to look like. I suggest personal designs always. I know, I know. It costs money. But the wonderful thing about Etsy is you can find people who are graphic designers as well as crafters. I spent a little time in the Graphic Design section under the Everything Else Category and found a wealth of designers. Many of the offer pre-made options that tend to run between $12 and $30 for a store set-up with business card designs included. If you have the extra money, I suggest finding an artist whose personal style matches the feel you want for your shop and going custom. You want the business card you hand to people to match the online storefront. This will give people the idea that they should take you serious as a seller, because you take yourself seriously. Also, since you are going through Etsy to develop your brand you will gain a friend in your designer who might have later advice.

Now where to get them printed. I personally use Moo.com. I have the MiniCards and that is the only place to get them. They are $20 for 100, and that tends to last me for a little while. If you choose to go with this style of card you need to let the person designing your card know. If not they will assume you are going to go with a standard format. Instead of going with a design on the back of my cards, I choose to use images from the items in my store. I find it is a great way to advertise items I have listed. Also you can let people choose the item back they like. I broke my cards down into five sets of twenty cards.

If you are going to go with a standard size, I suggest OverNightPrints.com. They are extremely reasonable and very reliable. Thier cards start off at the same $20 for 100, but since they offer bulk discounts it is better to order more at one time. You can get 500 for $35. Also if you sign up for their mailing list about every other month they send out a coupon for some printing discount. Always buy using the coupon. The more money you save means the more profit you are making.

I hope this helps. I know it is a lot of information to take in. But, your business card is truly one of the most important pieces in your self-promotion. Next time I am going to cover unique ways to spread them around, because they don’t do us any good in the box.