Posted by MissyNV on 5/14/05 11:47am
Msg #37771

Business card styles

I still haven't purchased business cards. I was looking at Vista Print earlier and was wondering if everyone puts their certification logo on their cards. I am having trouble visualizing what it would look like along with the graphics of their cards. I have only seen the cards from the NNA and don't want to give them anymore of my money.

Reply by Bobbi in CT on 5/14/05 12:08pm
Msg #37774

I don't bother with logos.

I went to staples, bought good quality business card stock. I designed my own text only card using word and printed through my laser printer (black text only).

Inexpensive, easy, and allows me to change my card anytime at will. I only print about 50 at a time so there is no waste if I decide I want to change something or re-vamp the format.

Female & INDEPENDENT my business cards are currently an assortment of flowers. Last year I used a nice light colored stock. Always get compliments on them because they are Different.

If I couldn't do this, I have seen the "free" VistaPrint cards and they would be my second choice. I have no objection to the advertising on the back of the card, plus many self-employed borrowers have asked me about printing their own business cards or use VistaPrint.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 5/14/05 12:17pm
Msg #37777

Re: Business card stylesTo Bobbi in CT

Bobbi excellent idea, I'm with you 100%

Reply by RP_CA on 5/14/05 12:33pm
Msg #37786

Great idea, Bobbi. I got mine through the NNA and as soon as I got them, there were things I wanted to add or change, like my email address, fax number, and web site. I'm half way through them, and when I'm done, I'll either print my own or VistaPrint.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 5/14/05 12:15pm
Msg #37776

Re: Business card styles-To Missy:)

Missy I did Vista cards and they are fine. The card simply offers my name and contact numbers and role. I have seen many of the NNA cards, they look very professional. However I wanted something with a casual feel and perhaps a card that I felt (before I get yelled at on this message board)might be remembered for not looking so business like or formal. This is only how I choose to present myself. I look very professional when I arrive at the signing so I thought casual card wouLD be acceptable for me and the area in which I live, I only doing signings in the mountain resort in which I live.

Reply by Bobbi in CT on 5/14/05 2:16pm
Msg #37812

To Susan - mountain resort ...

Similar here. Business casual outfit (washable and carry a lint roller in the car) but the feet are a different thing. Dirt roads, driveways, unfinished walkways and steps, horses, cows, sheep, and no less than two pets per house. Most borrowers have an at-home, craft, or second form of income. Loved the lady who had her own sheep, cleaned and spun the wool, and made sweaters from it!

The "different" card gives us something to talk about as an ice-breaker. Also, nothing against the NNA, but I dislike the color red. In my neck of the woods, conservative republicans (nothing against them either, but I'm not one) use Red campaign signs, red flyers, and red & white banners. See red. See republican. (Democrats use blue.) It's been a tradition since before anyone can remember - and carried on because neither political party wants to discover AFTER printing that they have used the same campaign colors as the opposition party.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 5/14/05 2:32pm
Msg #37816

Re: To Susan - mountain resort ...

gee Bobbi I wonder what they would think if you used purple....lol and I guess green is out too.

I got my cards from vista. I didn't get the freebies. But it was still under $20 if I remember correctly. I am completely happy with them and would use them again when I need more. I used a template that has a pen on paper writing something on the corner of the card. I would call them business casual. I really wanted to use one that had a patriotic theme but most of them were to busy and drew your attention away from the information on the card.

Reply by ERNA_CA on 5/14/05 2:35pm
Msg #37817

Re: sheep and horses :)

Suit defiantly has to go to dry cleaners after yesterdays signings. Two signings at a ranch. had a overly friendly pit pull lick all over me all during one signing. Next one I had to take a look at the new baby just born to a race horse. third signing no pets very clean house and I thought well i probably smell like a dog and a horse by now should have taking my perfume along. Wonderful people and I love animals, but my business suits just don't fit into the scenario. And my car oh my, dirt tracks, so there goes part of my profit, dry cleaning and a car wash.

Reply by Donna CA on 5/14/05 1:34pm
Msg #37800

I got my cards from Vista Prints but I didn'tput the NNA logo on them and they look just fine.

Reply by MissyNV on 5/14/05 9:41pm
Msg #37860

Thanks for all the replies. I just didn't know if it was a big negative not to put the logo on it, but the NNA cards are all alike. It never hurts to stand out a little. I also didn't know if Vista prints would make the logo really small in the corner, or how dumb that would look. I will just have to play around with it. I cover a very casual area. People in my zip code have horses like other people have cats.

Reply by Bobbi in CT on 5/15/05 1:50pm
Msg #37948

Then print your on card w/ a horse logo /nm

Reply by erin_CenCal on 5/15/05 8:28pm
Msg #37980

I used Vista Print for my first set of business cards. I know a lot of people have had luck with Vista, but I didn't. I got a recommendation from a graphic artist friend of mine to check out overnightprints.com, and I am so happy with my new cards. Not only are they thicker than Vista Print, but the print quality is better and the back side of the cards are a nice matte finish for no extra cost. The best part is, they are cheaper (unless you get the free ones from Vista). Just a suggestion. Good luck on finding the perfect business cards, they really are important in this business.