Business Card Help – I Need Ideas
It’s time to make some professional business cards for myself. But I don’t want to be stodgy and boring. Can you provide any advice?
I want my cards to coordinate with my law firm website and letterhead. I plan to keep it fairly plain for now. Hopefully in a few months I can have a professional logo designed and re-image everything.
Erica Douglass has a great new card design that I just love. But I’m afraid that’s a bit too fun for a lawyer. Maybe not.
Would you be scared to hire a lawyer that has a creative business card? Or would you appreciate the uniqueness? Maybe I’m limiting myself too much.
Here’s what I have so far:
Front of card
The grey blob on the bottom left is my address. I don’t have my business address setup yet, so I blurred out my home address.
Back of card
The idea here is to provide a little insight into me. The fourth and fifth spots are for the recipient to fill in with info of his/her choosing.
What do you think?
I really would like your advice. You’ve seen thousands of business cards in your time. How do mine stack up?
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34 Responses to “Business Card Help – I Need Ideas”
March 26th, 2008
check out the designs on this website. http://www.businesscardcollection.com/
i ordered cards from this site last year and was able to work directly with the designer, make changes in the design and approve of the final proof. they looked great and i was also pleased with the quality of paper. i opted for a red and black design. i think creative is great, for me that meant a modern eye-catching design with the traditional info. good luck.
michelle
March 26th, 2008
Andrew,
As a marketing/advertising professional, I’d recommend that you think about what it is you want your brand message to be based on your unique selling point. Then decide what experience you want any customer to have when coming in contact with your company and how your going to promote them. What you want to assure is that whenever or wherever a potential or current customer comes in contact with you they have a seamless positive experience with your brand. Whether that’s a phone call, visiting your website, obtaining your business card, etc… The more cohesive the experience, the more it will “stick” in the minds of your customer. It takes consumers an average of 6 brand mentions to remember a brand. With today’s magnitude of promotional messages we face, you want to make sure that yours is unique and consistent, but most of all that you deliver on the promise. In the end, it’ll be the experience that will be remembered moreso than the catchy tagline or whimsical promotion.
A great example of extending a unique selling point can be found by going to http://www.jayparkinsonmd.com. He keeps it simple, easy to understand, navigate through, and intuitive when looking for informaiton. His value proposition is based on an old tradition while infusing modern day technology to make it affordable and accessible. All of which is extended amazingly in his website through design, content architecture, navigability, and user-friendly content.
To, finally, answer your question about the business card, keep in mind your brand mission. Make sure whatever brand decision you make on promotional executions that it’s aligned with your brand plan (business plan), and brand strategy (positioning). If it isn’t adding value and supporting either then you shouldn’t be doing it.
Hope this helps in your decision-making process.
Eric
March 26th, 2008
I wouldn’t be put off by a creative business card as long as it’s not tacky. I do prefer the simple designs though.
I also dig the 5 facts.
Jason
Lawsuit Funding
March 27th, 2008
Thanks for all of your feedback. These are some great points to keep in mind. I really appreciate all of them!
March 27th, 2008
I would include “Attorney & Counselor at Law” as opposed to “Attorney.”
I would use some color, and would not be surprised by the ‘peek-a-boo” sot on your blog appearing in the lower right hand corner of the card.
March 28th, 2008
Hey Andrew: Your question prompted me to write this blog post, which offers my thoughts about traditional vs. non-traditional business cards. Good luck with the project!
March 28th, 2008
Laszlo – Thanks for your comment. But may I ask why you suggest adding “and Counselor at Law”? Do clients expect to see those words next to my name? You’re not the only one who has mentioned that, but I don’t see what’s so magical about those words.
Ernie – I just noticed your post. Thanks a ton for the mention, and especially for your great ideas. You’re inspiring me to do something different with my cards. I’m not just another lawyer. I’m a unique individual. 🙂
March 28th, 2008
“& Counselor at Law” allows for the bifurcated representation as both barrister and solicitor; however, many folks shy away from any reference to “law” as it seemingly goes without saying. This all began, I suppose, during the Nixon administration when “lawyers” switched to “attorneys” as a means of distancing from the tarnished profession (Watergate, and all).
March 29th, 2008
Laszlo – Maybe I’m being dense here. I don’t see any reason why barrister v. solicitor would matter in the United States. Either you are admitted to the bar or not. If you can give legal advice, you can represent someone in court. And vice versa. Or maybe I’m missing something.
But what did make sense to me is Wikipedia’s entry for attorney at law. Particularly, check out the section on attorney in fact vs. attorney at law. So “attorney at law” is more appropriate than just “attorney.”
But do most clients even care? 🙂
March 29th, 2008
Probably not. Only those of us anal enough to parse each word!
March 29th, 2008
See also: “Raj, Bohemian” by Harry Kunzru. The New Yorker. March 10, 2008.
March 31st, 2008
Andrew,
This is something I’ve wondered about and didn’t see mentioned above – is it really necessary to limit yourself to one business card design? You have different clients with different needs and tastes so why not have different card designs available to pick from when handing out a business card? All of your business cards can have the same basic contact information with the only difference being the card design.
Mark
March 31st, 2008
I think Eric’s points are very good. Consistency and branding is what will make potential customers remember you over other less memorable attorneys.
March 31st, 2008
Mark – I love the idea of multiple business cards. When the recipient seems more traditional, whip out the appropriate card. But for people who are willing to accept it, go with a flashier one.
jp – Thanks for the encouragement. You’re absolutely right that consistency & branding are key.
April 1st, 2008
I was also looking into business card design not so long ago. Here is a link someone sent me.
http://freelanceswitch.com/gen.....d-designs/
If you have a look on the examples I went with the idea of having notes on the back, they work as real good ice breakers.
Enjoy!
April 1st, 2008
Ryan – Thanks for the link. I ran across that page as well, when Googling things like “cool business cards.” Those are definitely some slick cards.
April 3rd, 2008
Andrew,
Your business card is very nice. The 5 facts about Andrew is a brilliant idea. If people know more about you, they will feel close to you. Good Luck!
April 8th, 2008
I suggest to anyone wanting business cards that they go to http://www.managebusinesscards.com. They are very cheap and super high quality. Plus once you place an order, you get your new business cards in your office in about 3 days. To get on the website, click the blue “demo” button at the bottom of the home page and then hit the login button. It’s very easy. Also, you can upload your own image or pick from thousands of different templates. Call 888-429-8372 for any questions.
Thanks
April 11th, 2008
I would keep the business card with a nice simple design. The 5 Facts about Andrew is a strange idea. I like the part where the person can throw in where they met you because that could be helpful to people with terrible memories.
April 11th, 2008
Andrew, what a great card idea with the 5 facts. Man, I wish I would have had your for MY attorney a little while ago when I was in need of one. Most people feel that attorneys are not user-friendly, and most do have very arrogant, terrible bedside manners. The simple design conveys professionalism, and that you WILL take their problems/issues seriously while the 5 facts reveal that you are a [gasp!] person and you have a GREAT sense of humor! Make the font a little nice, I love coppergothic or even just georgia.
April 11th, 2008
If you have many questions, then it is good to have a lawyer, then you have less problems or just no problems.
April 13th, 2008
would keep the business card with a nice simple design, too. Maybe the first letter of you name and last name?
April 17th, 2008
i think the idea is good but i miss some colours. but not too much! maybe you can make the line at the top in blue or something else??? the design is good but make it more colourful !!!
April 17th, 2008
I think the five facts on the back is a great idea, definitely makes it more personal and friendly. Only downside is that it seems a little less professional compared with the standard corporate business cards. Guess it all depends on what you’re trying to go for and which clients you want to reach.
April 17th, 2008
I can’t believe all the great discussion that this post has started. Awesome!
@Rachel – Thanks for suggesting a bit of color. My new design (which I’ll post shortly) have some color. Not too much, but enough to spice it up a bit.
@Jacques23 – You’re absolutely right that the “5 facts” isn’t the typical corporate card. That was part of my idea behind it.
May 2nd, 2008
Hey Andrew – check out 99designs.com; you can run a contest AND set your own price. 🙂
May 4th, 2008