Time for new business cards. - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Thewoodman · 09-19-2009, 12:04 AM

I have had the same business card design for 5 years. It has two pictures of decks we have done but it does not state what we do. Do the cards that state things like "framing' remodeling, decking etc etc... work better than just a business name and pictures.

Any advice good or bad is appreciated.

Mark

SLSTech · 09-19-2009, 08:40 AM

That is actually a tough question - for some people different designs work better. Can you post one on line for us to see - critique?

I actually run a dual sided card with the "what we do" listed on the back, while the normal information is on the front

CookeCarpentry · 09-19-2009, 12:39 PM

x2 with what Sean said. Let us see the card.

On the front I have all the usual information, then the back has a heading of "Residential Remodeling" and lists 10-12 services that we "specialize in". Of course we do things not on the list, which is where the "Residential Remodeling" category comes into play.

Personally, I was never a fan of project pictures on cards, because they are too small for any good detail. Just my .02 though.

Angdeer · 09-21-2009, 12:50 PM

Go with a catchy design, some people only remember what something looks like. I saw a card once that was thin, very thin wood with the business logo on that.

cbscreative · 09-21-2009, 03:45 PM

I'll chime in more as the recipient of the card, then add a comment or two based on having this discussion with many types of business owners.

First, I'll agree that the pics of the decks are too small to be much good. But without seeing the cards, I can't know how well the tell the visual idea that you do decks. As someone who has received many cards, I know very few stand out, so that is the first priority. It needs to be an attention getting design, yet appropriate for your business. Because of the size, the design has to be simple with as few words as possible.

Some of the things to stay away from are things like doing full color just because it's now so cheap. A great one or two color design often wins out over a full color. If you choose to do a gloss coating, don't coat the back. People often want to write on the back and a gloss coating makes that frustrating. Don't try to list everything. It's too small. Give enough info to make them want to see your web site or call you...nothing more.

Beyond that, seeing your card will help to make better suggestions.

AllStruct · 09-22-2009, 10:56 AM

Are you going to design print yourself? If not I found a great company by chance thats both great and cheap. I am new so I dont know the rules yet about posting their contact info buut you can pm me for it. He designed my cards and I was blown away.

BKFranks · 09-22-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbscreative

I'll chime in more as the recipient of the card, then add a comment or two based on having this discussion with many types of business owners.

First, I'll agree that the pics of the decks are too small to be much good. But without seeing the cards, I can't know how well the tell the visual idea that you do decks. As someone who has received many cards, I know very few stand out, so that is the first priority. It needs to be an attention getting design, yet appropriate for your business. Because of the size, the design has to be simple with as few words as possible.

Some of the things to stay away from are things like doing full color just because it's now so cheap. A great one or two color design often wins out over a full color. If you choose to do a gloss coating, don't coat the back. People often want to write on the back and a gloss coating makes that frustrating. Don't try to list everything. It's too small. Give enough info to make them want to see your web site or call you...nothing more.

Beyond that, seeing your card will help to make better suggestions.

I sent you a PM

Thewoodman · 09-22-2009, 01:47 PM

I scanned my card in. Let me know what you think.

BKFranks · 09-22-2009, 02:43 PM

Do you just do decks?

AmeliaP · 09-22-2009, 02:44 PM

I like it.

A few thoughts:
No licensing needed?
It looks concentrated on the deck side....if that is what you are going for. Since it also says GC I'm thinking you do more than that.
No town and state? Maybe I'm the only one but I like to see that.
Some pics on your site are better than the card pics.

Plumber_Bill · 09-22-2009, 03:06 PM

Interesting business card topic. Me I prefer to make only a few at a time
seems when I go order 3-4,000 a week later something changes...

I use an Avery Product for laser printers # 5871 ... Note there are other numbers for ink jets.

I run the card on MS word. They run 10 up and all you do is fold them they break off with clean edges.

Here is a sample of the front and the back of our card right now.

Thewoodman · 09-22-2009, 06:19 PM

Utah does not require your license number to be on your advertising.

As far as what we do it falls mainly to remodeling and decking. That is part of the reason for a possible card change. It leans heavily towards decks. Most of the website hits I get are for decking. I am trying to get more attention on the remodeling side of things.

Mark

SLSTech · 09-22-2009, 07:10 PM

This is tough - the look & style appear to work for you based on your comments above. The pics - if there clear - that's great

Do you really need to give out your fax number - could that be better used for your location? (Serving Ogden Utah area? etc...)

Maybe move the pics up a few tics & have your name, number, email below them?
Business Name, Tag line (Ogden's premier remodeling company since ????), web site above them?

Maybe send em to Kieth at KBK or another place to see what they can do for you - maybe go 2 sided, or just leave them as is

cbscreative · 09-23-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plumber_Bill

I use an Avery Product for laser printers # 5871 ... Note there are other numbers for ink jets.

I run the card on MS word. They run 10 up and all you do is fold them they break off with clean edges.

I'm not saying this to be mean, but I think it will be helpful for you to know that I throw cards like this away immediately. As mentioned above, I've had business card discussions like this with a lot of people, and that has taught me that a LOT of people do exactly the same thing I do.

Here's my main reason. Cards are cheap. Even nice ones are usually under $50 for 500 (more like $40 or less). If someone is skimping on something as economical as a business card, it signals to me they are skimping on other things too. I just WILL NOT spend my money with someone who undermines my confidence this way.

If they're selling used books, I'll probably cut them some slack. But a contractor, no way! That's something I believe you will do well to consider when getting business cards.

Plumber_Bill · 09-24-2009, 08:23 AM

[quote=cbscreative;773288]I'm not saying this to be mean, but I think it will be helpful for you to know that I throw cards like this away immediately. <snip>

I also don't want to be mean ... but sir I have been making cards for years. (at least 25) My customers love them. The back changes as required, sometimes it's a reminder to take hoses off outside faucets. Right now the back of the card is showing a school bus (reminder to stop) school has started. At Christmas it might be a cookie receipe.

Funny, you say you throw cards away like that. That sir is your negative
opinion. You should start based upon some of your previous posts to think out of the box a bit. Cards are cheap. Even nice ones are usually under $50 for 500 (more like $40 or less). If someone is skimping on something as economical as a business card, it signals to me they are skimping on other things too. I just WILL NOT spend my money with someone who undermines my confidence this way.

Cards are cheap ... Do you mean cheap to purchase. I read this this as CHEAP LOOKING.

cbscreative · 09-24-2009, 10:28 AM

Bill, if it's working for you, and you get compliments, keep doing it. I apologize if my comments were presumptuous. When I read your post, I thought about some of the cards I've been given that look very unprofessional. I should not have implied yours were in that category.

I still stand behind my comments as a general rule because I know I'm not alone in my response to "homemade" cards (or even cheesy print shop ones), but you were right to correct me in my implications to you personally.

To answer your question, I meant cheap to purchase. On the scale of business expenses, business cards hardly register a reading, so it's something anyone can afford to do up nicely.

As for my box, I'm always seeking to blow the walls out. Many of my opinions from a few years ago have been changed, and I expect the same will happen in a few more years. This has been a year of exceptional personal growth for me. I've never been one to get stuck in my ways, and I refuse to start. One reason I am here is to learn and grow. This place challenges me, and I hope my posts challenge back, especially if you don't agree.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled topic.

abacab · 09-25-2009, 05:25 PM

I'm no expert, but I got an eye for design. I think the card has potential, just don't like the drastic change in the background behind your name, it makes me cross eyed. Also a logo is important.

Mike Finley · 09-25-2009, 05:28 PM

Nobody ever hired a contractor based on a pretty card.

Just something to keep it all in perspective.

If your card is a step above written on a napkin you're actually probably okay.

72chevy4x4 · 09-26-2009, 06:20 PM

make it nice and simple yet informative. the pictures are great but a little small for a business card. awhile back lawndart solicited advice on his design; that was an interesting thread and the end product was a great logo. takes awhile to get to the point where he was happy w/ the final product, but his would be a great icon posted on the side of a truck, business card or as letterhead.

I don't care for business cards with the perforated sides-cards are cheap these day!

carolinahandyma · 09-27-2009, 07:22 AM

I have ordered from www.vistaprint.com and the cards are good looking and very inexpensive