Business Cards on the Cheap – Why You May Want them
Most lawyers have duplicates of many things – we’ve got courtroom attire and officewear, dress glasses and regular ones, different sets of shoes and for women, handbags. So why not have several business cards? Most marketing experts advise against this because different cards means that we dilute our brand. But I’ve found several uses for different business cards, as well as a source, Vista Print for printing them up quickly and cheaply (you can get them free if you’re willing to accept a vistaprint ad on the back or for around $10-$20 for 250 if not).
Here’s why I like having multiple business cards. First, many times, I’ll attend a trade show or a huge networking event where I need to drop 50 or 75 cards at a time. It seems wasteful to have to use my good business cards in these situations, so having cheaper extras on hand makes sense. Second, I practice under many hats. I’ve got an energy regulatory specialty, but I also handle some general civil litigation matters and appeals. And sometimes I attend events where I’m know for MyShingle or my Ocean Renewable trade association. So rather than jot all of this down on the back of my law firm cards, I have several cards for each of these purposes.
Sometimes too, I like to change the look of things. At the front of this post is the business card that I sent out with my holiday cards. It’s got a new tagline that I’m toying with – “Matters of First Impression and Last Resort” and the color and photo made it seem festive (though it looks a little “realtor-ish” also). I don’t know that I’ll use this card on a permanent basis, probably not – and if I don’t, I’ll just dump the extras at a future trade show.
This has been a good idea for me. I have one business card that omits my email address. I give this to prospective clients. I don’t want them “hiring me” by email that may never arrive or that may get deleted accidentally.
This has been a good idea for me. I have one business card that omits my email address. I give this to prospective clients. I don’t want them “hiring me” by email that may never arrive or that may get deleted accidentally.
I must disagree about VistaPrint. I ordered cards from them and they were flimsy (and a slightly smaller than normal size — it was noticeable when you hold them). They were rude when I called them on it — they even said it was because it helped save the environment (I guess they could print more off one page) — as if it wasn’t just to save them money. I ended up ordering through Staples and have been very happy.
Alex Simpson
I must disagree about VistaPrint. I ordered cards from them and they were flimsy (and a slightly smaller than normal size — it was noticeable when you hold them). They were rude when I called them on it — they even said it was because it helped save the environment (I guess they could print more off one page) — as if it wasn’t just to save them money. I ended up ordering through Staples and have been very happy.
Alex Simpson
Alex,
You are absolutely right about the Vista Print cards. I never noticed that they are smaller. I have never used Vista Print for “real” business cards, just back up, so I don’t know what the quality is like.
Carolyn
Alex,
You are absolutely right about the Vista Print cards. I never noticed that they are smaller. I have never used Vista Print for “real” business cards, just back up, so I don’t know what the quality is like.
Carolyn
That’s a really good idea about bringing cheap business cards to a trade show. I’m going to create another card that doesn’t have my cell phone number on it, and also lists another email address that all my spam goes to.
I use magicprints.com – they do the same type of thing vista does at around the same price – but without the headaches that vista seems to bring on.
That’s a really good idea about bringing cheap business cards to a trade show. I’m going to create another card that doesn’t have my cell phone number on it, and also lists another email address that all my spam goes to.
I use magicprints.com – they do the same type of thing vista does at around the same price – but without the headaches that vista seems to bring on.
Carolyn – I did mean to mention that I l-o-v-e your new tagline. It was so catchy! Your calendar is on my metal bookcases (along with the lego magnets, natch!).
Carolyn – I did mean to mention that I l-o-v-e your new tagline. It was so catchy! Your calendar is on my metal bookcases (along with the lego magnets, natch!).
Also if you are in court alot, there is no need to waste your good business cards at each court appearance, since they are just stapled onto a file, or thrown away if the card is already in the file. I recommend printing your own cards for court with a laser printer (can purchase cards for laser printer at any office store). In fact, I even add areas on the card to make the check-in process easier. I put a check box next to Plaintiff and another box next to defendant so I can check off which side I am representing, and another line with “Calendar #____” to fill in. Most clerks have had a good reception to this idea.
Also if you are in court alot, there is no need to waste your good business cards at each court appearance, since they are just stapled onto a file, or thrown away if the card is already in the file. I recommend printing your own cards for court with a laser printer (can purchase cards for laser printer at any office store). In fact, I even add areas on the card to make the check-in process easier. I put a check box next to Plaintiff and another box next to defendant so I can check off which side I am representing, and another line with “Calendar #____” to fill in. Most clerks have had a good reception to this idea.
Hi Carolyn, recently I searched for a postcard printing company online. I wanted to send postcards out to prospective legal customers. So, I found this website that did the whole thing pretty cheap. I wish I hadn’t sent 1000 because I really go too many calls. These guys will print addressand mail, all over the internet. All I did was tell them what I wanted to say and who was my target audience. They got address for direct mail and did it all.
Hi Carolyn, recently I searched for a postcard printing company online. I wanted to send postcards out to prospective legal customers. So, I found this website that did the whole thing pretty cheap. I wish I hadn’t sent 1000 because I really go too many calls. These guys will print addressand mail, all over the internet. All I did was tell them what I wanted to say and who was my target audience. They got address for direct mail and did it all.
Hi Carolyn, I’m not sure if you are a part of Yahoo’s flickr photo sharing community but if you are, you may consider using a print company called “Moo” (www.moo.com) – The cards have a nifty quality to them and they’re printed on thick paper.
Not a traditional card but one that certainly adds a little authentic personality into the connection!
Hi Carolyn, I’m not sure if you are a part of Yahoo’s flickr photo sharing community but if you are, you may consider using a print company called “Moo” (www.moo.com) – The cards have a nifty quality to them and they’re printed on thick paper.
Not a traditional card but one that certainly adds a little authentic personality into the connection!
I agree, VistaPrint cards are kind of flimsy and not all that impressive. I much prefer http://www.printsmadeeasy.com for my business cards, they have good designs and great prices.
I agree, VistaPrint cards are kind of flimsy and not all that impressive. I much prefer http://www.printsmadeeasy.com for my business cards, they have good designs and great prices.
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