Business Cards

[MOW ED]

I was just thinking about upgrading my Business cards and was wondering what you do with yours.<br>Do you have just plain white with basic info (name, phone) or do you do it big with coated paper and color and all your major services on it?<p>Do you find that your cards have found business for you or are they just another expense?<br>I currently have white with green letters with a garden tractor on it (looked good when I started 5 years age)- just the basic info. Tell us what works for you.

[Eric ELM]

I buy laser cut sheets of cards and make them on my computer. I don't pass out that many cards, so it works out fine for me. I just have a picture of my DC on it and basic information so they can get in touch with us.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://elmlawnsite.com/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[Lazer]

I like the &quot;laser cut&quot; part! :)<p>

[AGG Lawn Maintenance]

WE do our cards on the computer as well differenance in cost $6.00 every 200 cards by us and about three time as much by a printer. (Our cards our multi colored) Look on the net for clip art or just pick up a program for under $50.00. Clip art has tons of art you can use for logos. Make sure you put your logo on every thing cards, letter heads etc. Good Luck Travis AG&G Lawn Maintenance

[geogunn]

I use the special pricing deal at Officemax for mine. very reasonable using their clipart and standard format yet still professional looking.<p>the problem I had with making my own cards with the ink jet printer was the color would bleed if it got damp.<p>I haven't tried it on my laser printer yet and probably wont because I'm real satisfied with those from Officemax.<p>I hand out alot of cards. when I'm cutting and I see a neighbor, I hand him a card and tell him to call me if he needs me. I don't BS the people, I keep it short and sweet.<p>there is no more effective, nor cheaper way to advertise than through a buisness card.<p>GEO

[Scag48]

I bought the cards from Office Depot and printed them on my computer. They my biz name, little , major services (mowing and trimming), and my name and phone number. They weren't very expensive but they turn out pretty nice. I don't think I have gotten alot of jobs with cards, just when I was advertising and word of mouth. If you don't have fliers already, I suggest those. I racked up a couple of jobs in one day with fliers.

[Grasscape Inc]

www.bizcardpro.com

[TurfMan]

I got lucky, My sis-in-law works for a credit card printing company. I designed the cards and emailed them to her along with the graphics. She printed me up 2500 plastic cards, same size and shape as a Visa or Master Card. I get many complements on them and alot of free food. (You know when you go into a place to eat and they have the fish bowl there for Buss cards. I always drop one in there. It seems that when they are picking the card for a free meal, they pick mine, Because they think it is a credit card by the feel of it. But if you were to buy cars like mine they would cost about $2.25 a card. If i had to buy them, I would not do it. They look great, and i believe that they have gotten me work.

[Lazer]

That's SO cool, TurfMan, I've never seen anything like that before!<p>10 years ago I had ours printed on 2 ply veneer, complete with my logo gold-embossed. They were .35 each.

[mowerman90]

No matter what type of bus card you use, make sure the back of it is printed with these words of wisdom:<br>The bitterness of poor quality will last much longer than the sweetness of low price.

[KirbysLawn]

I like that mowerman!<p>I had mine printed at Office Depot in the 3 colors of my logo. I also had the back printed in green with the services I offer. If you print them on your computer make sure you use the back, free ad space! ;)

[yardsmith]

Mowerman; good reminder, I use that slogan alot.<br>I get from Office max myself; 2-colors, 2-logos (3 logos on my winter cards) & all the pertinent info for $35 for 1000 cards, which is hard to beat because they're raised print lettering too, which won't blur or smear.<br>Try to put something in that will catch their eye, but don't make it too gaudy or over-crowded. <br>Also it has been a big plus that I have a different card for the fall/winter services too. People kinda forget your green lettered biz card says snowplowing when Nov. rolls around each year. Plus I'm a graphics art nut anyways, & it's a write off to boot.<br>1000 cards (properly & judiciously distributed to the right kinds of people) have lasted me 2-3 years, so it's a small price to pay to get my name out.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<br>

[dhicks]

There is a website that lets you design your own business cards and then you can purchase. The cards are economical considering they are of photographic quality. We just received our first order and I'm impressed with the quality of the printing and card stock used.<p>Check Out the following URL to design your own cards using the templates provided. You could even save the template you designed and print using card stock and a color printer to roll your own.<p>To make your own card visit:<br>http://www.makeacoolcard.com <p>To see a sample of our card visit:<br>http://www.go-emerald.com/egscard.jpg<p>----------<br>--Disneyland on the Potomac - ICQ 31223414<br>www.go-emerald.com

[lakegastonla]

I would NOT suggest the home computer business cards. They just do not look professional. Todays printers do a good job on the print quality, but most of the paper stock you have to choose from is flimsy. Also, when you are through you can feel the edges where the cards were seperated. If you print them on an inkjet, the ink smears with a moist fingerprint! And last, but not least, let me see you do raised lettering(which is STANDARD for bus. cards) on your home computer. A self printed business card has a look and a feel of Cheapness.<br>Come on, man we are not talking big money, here. If I were going to put something into a potential customers hand to remember my business by.......well, you know the rest.<br>This is ONE area of your business you can afford to do RIGHT the first time. I know things are tight at first, but steer clear of this common mistake.<p>P.S. every jackleg I ever saw pulling a 21 inch push mower in the trunk of a car....was handing out self made business cards :)<br>

[Grasscape Inc]

Hey Turfman, Can you hook us up with some of those plastic business cards?<p>----------<br>-Grasscape<br>Http://sites.netscape.net/grasscapeinc/homepage

[greenlawncare]

I'm with &lt;b&gt;lakegastonla&lt;/b&gt;. Go with a printer. Ink-jet home made cards are good for the 13 year old trying to get his 10th lawn, but professionals using home made cards? Bush league! :)

[TurfMan]

Hey Grasscape Inc<p>I talked with my Sis-n-law tonight and she said no problem. Here is her home EMail Address. csbender@fyi.net She will be more than glad to hook anyone up that wants the plastic cards. Good Luck<p>----------<br>Dave<br>3B's Lawn Care Service

[Grasscape Inc]

Cool! I'll contact her