Business Cards

[giza]

So, I've been thinking of getting some personal business cards made up, and played around with the designs at designyourowncard.com. Here are some ideas I came up with:





I've been thinking of going with the second one, as it doesn't mention money, and is a bright color that people will notice.

I got the idea for the phrase "I fix computers" straight from Design Your Own Card's website.

I don't have any other contact info on the card since email addresses and cellphone numbers can change. Plus, forcing people to go to my website and figure out how to contact me requires a little work. This should help cut down on emails from people who can't be bothered to RTFM and similar. I can always write down my cellphone number on the card in the empty space if I want someone to have it.

If anyone has comments, I'm looking for suggestions/criticism on:

- Color choices
- Font choices
- Placement of the elements on the page

Thanks! (And I'll fix your computer too!)

Comments

[stahi.livejournal.com]

I fix computers.

(OH IT'S THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH)

[giza.livejournal.com]

[sagejackal.livejournal.com]

ZOMG!!!
*drops dead dieing of laughter*

[triggur.livejournal.com]

Dude.

You so totally do not want to get into the business of fixing Joe Random's computer.

We're talking massive brain damage here.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't plan on doing it as a business. The tax paperwork alone scares the bejeezus out of me.

On the other hand, it's an awesome way to network with local people, which I need more of. And, if someone proves to be incapable of learning, I become "busy".

For payment, I ask people for things like alcohol, CD-Rs, or books in return. I've gotten about 10 things bought from my Amazon Wishlist this way. And I don't have to tell the IRS about CD-Rs. ;-)

[giza.livejournal.com]

Imagine $1000 in cases of beer.

[tgeller.livejournal.com]

I often do.

[rebelsheart]

OK, this is so much cheaper than my local optiojs. I intend to give out cards to ym coworkers when I move.

[whyrl.livejournal.com]

"I fix computers for beer and pizza." XD

[kovucougar.livejournal.com]

You have your own domain. Why are you afraid of your email address going away?

[giza.livejournal.com]

I stopped using anything @claws-and-paws.com years ago because of spam volumes.

[duncandahusky.livejournal.com]

Hmm, clean, simple design, bold, sans-serif font...man, all you have to do is round the corners on the cards and you'll have Web Business Cards 2.0!

[giza.livejournal.com]

Dude, that's an awesome idea!

Nice Job

[wildw0lf.livejournal.com]

You may want to add a phone number where people can call you. I like the cards you designed. The company name is centered on the page, and your info on the lower right is practically exactly where I have mine.

I work full time working on computers.

Outside of work, I also run a small PC repair business. I am also contracted out by another local company and handle their overflow work.

This is all in addition to taking classes part time to get my degree, which I hope to have next year.

Getting to the whole tax issue? I've been having a CPA doing my taxes for years, mainly because I don't want to deal with all the hassles of doing the taxes myself. It doesn't cost much for someone else to do them, and I can't tell you the peace of mind it brings.

Anyway good luck, and take care.

-WildWolf

Re: Nice Job

[giza.livejournal.com]

I don't have my phone number on there because I don't want people calling me. I can't even begin to describe how much I *hate* talking on the phone, *especially* for tech support. The average call takes what, 30 minutes? I just don't have the time or patience to sit there twiddling my thumbs while a computer illiterate person tries to describe what they see on their screen.

Like I alluded to previously in the comments here, if someone can't figure out how to go to my website, click the link that says "contact", and email me, then they FAIL Internet 101 and I don't want to talk to them anyway.

Re: Nice Job

[wildw0lf.livejournal.com]

My job is some phone support, hardware, software troubleshooting/replacement on Macs and PCs. I have to agree with you the average call for work a client who calls in on work I do on the side can easily approach 30 minutes. I would rather see the computer in person, as you say, because then I can really see what's going on. Oftentimes when a user describes a problem, when you actually get there and work on the machine, you end up finding it's something totally unrelated to what they were calling you for in the first place.

In any event, I like your cards, design, etc. Good luck getting the business going.

-WildWolf

[furahi.livejournal.com]

I've seen it work for other people in the US...

but to me, those colors, especially the orange, just yells "Scam!"

I mean, if someone gave me a bright orange (or pretty much bright any color) business card I'd either thyinik they want to scam me, or maybe that they probably don't know that much...

But that's just me, Like I said I've seen it work for others =P (plus I'd probably think twice after reading UNIX Sysadmin ^^)

[coppercheetah.livejournal.com]

Actually, HP has an article about use of color in business. Interesting stuff, in the way they showed color associations with emotional responses. By their viewpoint, the first cards were trying to imply you're very active and energetic about it. Me, personally speaking, I'd generally tend to suggest calming colors, because if someone is contacting you to fix their computer, they're probably already a bit excited, and you're trying to give them a sense a calm and reliability. Blues and greens, with a bit of white tossed in (perhaps either as the font color or as a border/logo design to be faded into the background. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like you'd be able to do this sort of change easily with the online service, but... it's just something to consider.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Whoa, that's an awesome link, thanks!

Based on that, I'm leaning more towards the blue cards now.

It's a pity that they don't have more color choices available, or else I could experiment with other colors.

[zeeth_kyrah]

Yeah, I like the blue cards a lot more, myself.

[giza.livejournal.com]

I plan on doing some networking, and I can justify $60 every 2-3 years for it.

And networking is how I got well, just about every job I've worked, so the level I've done has certainly paid off for me.

[antimon.livejournal.com]

man thats a sweet yinyang

[zeeth_kyrah]

It spins a bit faster than I've seen 'em usually do. Maybe some of the timing info got altered.

[antimon.livejournal.com]

i wonder hwo many emaisl you'll get "whast with the weird webpage url" hehe

[tgeller.livejournal.com]

I say keep the "reasonable rates" tag line -- it shows that you have one of their primary concerns already in mind, and makes it more human.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Eh, I dunno. I mean, asking ME if my rates are reasonable is like asking a politician if they've ever accepted bribes or kickbacks. Do you trust the answer the you'll get in either instance? :-)

Also, the blank space on front is a palce I can write my cellphone number /if/ I want someone to have it.