Business Card tips for aspiring professionals

[Christopher Burke]

I've come to a point where even though I don't get paid to write, I'm being asked for business cards. I'd like to get your thoughts on what makes a good card in this profession.

I also have a few specific questions:
- Since I'm a volunteer writer for a small site, should the card present me as a writer for that site (even though no one has heard of it) or should I get that information across as I introduce myself and just let the card provide contact info?
- Someone told me I should have a fax number. Are they nuts?
- Which makes the most sense: "gaming journalist", "gaming reporter", "videogame journalist", "videogame reporter", or something else?
- Are graphics appropriate?

If you guys have any examples of cards you've liked, or cards you have, that would be awesome.

Thanks!

[Jonathan Gronli]

It should introduce you as a writer or journalist and put the necessary information to get in touch with you (name, number and e-mail)

A fax would be a good idea. There are some things that you can do to save space and probably money, I believe the provider is officedigits. Then again it isn't entirely necessarily.

Entertainment/Gaming journalist and writer.

Graphics are only really necessary and appropriate if you're using the card of a specific business or outlet (at which point you'd only need the title and graphic of the group you're working with). Most other times you'd would only need to worry about making sure that all the information you want on it is visible and readable. Sometimes simplicity works better than anything else.

[Lewis Denby]

Keep it simple. Fax number totally not important. As for what you call yourself, depends entirely on what you do. Do you report? Do you review?

[Lauren Wainwright]

Since you are not getting paid I would try to keep your card just for you. It depends how dedicated you feel you are going to be to that website. Biz cards go a long way.

Most cards I have only have fax numbers if they work in an office, if you don't then don't put one.

If you write for free then Freelance Journalist or Writer would be suffice. Maybe even "Gaming Freelance Journalist"? I'm not sure.

Graphics can make a big difference to your card. Just depends on how you design it.

[Jared Newman]

Keep in mind that things change. This advice applies to several parts of your card:

-Don't list particular gigs unless you are on staff, doing the vast majority of your business for them, and plan to do so for a long time. I'll assume you're likely to move on some time if you're not getting paid now. Consider getting a personal Web site, listing it on the card, and linking your gigs from there.

-Try to leave wiggle room in your job title. If you're only writing about games and intend to keep it that way, "Gaming Journalist" or "Game Journalist" should suffice. Avoid "reporter" unless you're actually reporting. I wouldn't say "reviewer" unless that's the only thing you plan to do. The word "freelance" is implied if you're not associated with a publication, but I won't stop you from adding it. Mine says "Blogger and Journalist, Games and Tech."

-I like to put my city on the card, but not my address, because I'd have to print new ones if I move to another apartment.

Aside from that, a fax would be cool but I don't have one.

You didn't ask for this, but I've had good experiences with VistaPrint. You can get 250 cards for "free," meaning you'll pay $5 for shipping and another $5 if you want the "VistaPrint" logo removed from the back of the card (I'd recommend this). Stick with a simple ready-made design and you're good to go in about 3 weeks. Just make sure not to accidentally sign up for any of the other crap they pitch to you during checkout.

[Timothy J Seppala]

I had biz cards printed from Office Max and dropped about $60 for 1,000 of them and they look fantastic. Turn around time was less than a week, too. As for title and layout, this picture speaks much better than any words I could use to describe it.

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Okay it doesn't look like this site supports images in replies so here's a link
When I was setting mine up at the store by chance a professional graphic designer was waiting in line and I asked her for some help laying my card out and I'm incredibly pleased with how they look.

[Brian Rowe]

Here are the front and back of my cards. The blank space normally has my title, email, and phone number. I love graphics and unique color schemes on cards, because it helps me remember people. I have a stack of about 15 cards from different people at the same PR firm. I can almost remember what one of them looks like. Pictures help. Speaking of which, I should probably snazz mine up.

Fax? I hate it when people want me to fax things. Then I have to run to Kinkos and pay way too much. Just use your email, and for the love of whatever god you pray to, BUY a real email account.

[Sam Fishery]

I'll hook you up with a tip. vistaprint.com, 500 cards or something for free. You just have to pay for shipping.

[Andrew Groen]

Have you ever ordered from them before? Because you find out at checkout that the "shipping cost" is like 26 dollars...for a stack of 3x2 paper. Everything is free, but they nail you with ridiculous shipping charges unless you're willing to wait two months for them to get to you.

[Jared Newman]

Well, two months is a stretch. As I said above, the 250 "free" business cards cost about $5 for standard shipping, plus $5 to have them not print "VistaPrint" on the back of the card. The whole thing could take up to a month, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're in a rush.

Last time, the cards actually arrived just after their shipping window (and just before E3), so I freaked out and ordered rush from another company because VistaPrint doesn't process overnight. However, VistaPrint did refund my money even though I ended up getting the cards in the end.

Other times, the cards showed up within a week or two. All things considered I'd definitely use VistaPrint again.

[Andrew Groen]

Jared's advice trumps mine since he's actually ordered with them before. I just saw their shipping prices, got annoyed and left.

Though I was able to get about 100 or so cards from Kinkos that same day in about a half hour for $15 or so. Though they wanted to charge me another $9 just to have them cut, so I had to cut them myself.

[Christopher Burke]

I really appreciate the advice and images you guys have posted. Every bit helps

[Timothy J Seppala]

Your business card says a lot about you. Don't go cheap, unless you want to look cheap. You want to be taken seriously? Drop a few bucks on cards, it should help.