Post: #1

Anyone want to bust out some info on business cards. I am thinking of getting some for my line of work (drilling engineer of sorts).

Are they still a valid business tool nowadays?

How do you use them without coming off as a pretentious ass?

Any particular favourite style or wording?

Do they have any game/lifestyle potential for using on girls/potential contacts?

Of course I am going to have to include the video that would have gotten within minutes:

Post: #2

try this thread. I was sort of in a similar position, haven't decided yet which material.

/thread-37575.html

Post: #3

(07-29-2014 02:17 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  try this thread. I was sort of in a similar position, haven't decided yet which material.

/thread-37575.html

My bad. Should have used the search function. Ill post on that thread instead. Feel free to lock this.

Post: #4

I always have some in my car, and utilize them during business meetings and when meeting potential contacts. I do not use them on girls, as I don't see the point in it, it comes off pretentious to me, and its just a piece of paper to throw away.

Essentially after an interaction winds down, I'll just say "let me give you one of my cards, do you have one I could grab?" and exchange information that way. It does't have to be a spectacle, and on the contrary should be done nonchalantly.

I see them as still a professional way to create connections, and men that have been in the workforce for much longer than myself see it as a respectful gesture, especially if asking them for one in return.

As my dad would say "why do you still have cards on you? you know who the fuck you are, but everyone else in this world doesn't just yet."

Post: #5

Business cards are naff imho. However, gentlemen's calling cards will always be classy.

Calling cards are only to be used in conjunction with a quality fountain pen, however.

Always have just your name and a postal address on the card, then write your mobile number on the back as you hand it to the recipient.

The finer the card the better.

Post: #6

(07-29-2014 02:20 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 02:17 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  try this thread. I was sort of in a similar position, haven't decided yet which material.

/thread-37575.html

My bad. Should have used the search function. Ill post on that thread instead. Feel free to lock this.

No worries, just trying to help!!!

Post: #7

(07-29-2014 02:32 PM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  Business cards are naff imho. However, gentlemen's calling cards will always be classy.

Calling cards are only to be used in conjunction with a quality fountain pen, however.

Always have just your name and a postal address on the card, then write your mobile number on the back as you hand it to the recipient.

The finer the card the better.

Could you attach an example? Sounds interesting.

Post: #8

Yep. Always carry them around. I don't give them out to girls but only to potential business connections. Mine is pretty minimalist but I like it, it fits my style. Its 2 sided, one side has our company logo, and the other has my information.

My company's also designed business cards for clients. We create the design and get them printed through VistaPrint which is pretty fast and affordable for printing. If anyone wants to check some that we did out, shoot me a PM.

Post: #9

Need to get some cards to give to the girls I game with my camera.

Right now I just make a joke of it and write the website down on a scrap of paper out of a notepad and say "here's my card". That gets em laughing.

But having some legit ones would be better now that the girls are expressing interest in buying photos.

Anyone know of the cheapest way to get some printed? Absolute cheapest...I don't have money to spare and this is just a fun project, nothing serious.

Post: #10

(07-29-2014 02:39 PM)Goldmund Wrote:  Need to get some cards to give to the girls I game with my camera.

Right now I just make a joke of it and write the website down on a scrap of paper out of a notepad and say "here's my card". That gets em laughing.

But having some legit ones would be better now that the girls are expressing interest in buying photos.

Anyone know of the cheapest way to get some printed? Absolute cheapest...I don't have money to spare and this is just a fun project, nothing serious.

Vistaprint is pretty cheap.

Post: #11

(07-29-2014 02:34 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 02:32 PM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  Business cards are naff imho. However, gentlemen's calling cards will always be classy.

Calling cards are only to be used in conjunction with a quality fountain pen, however.

Always have just your name and a postal address on the card, then write your mobile number on the back as you hand it to the recipient.

The finer the card the better.

Could you attach an example? Sounds interesting.

http://www.debretts.com/british-etiquett...ting-cards

This kind of idea but with the added personalisation of the fountain pen written number. This works very well for G style suit game.

A bit more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visiting_card

Some examples: http://www.prantl.com/personal-stationer...cards.html

A very English thing tbh but eminently cool if done correctly.

Post: #12

the funny thing about biz cards is that they're use is directly proportionate to YOU making the effort to FOLLOWUP after both exchange cards.

99% chance the other person will throw away the card so much of the effort/expense in getting the best possible card out there is a complete waste.

Business cards can be great tools though if YOU religiously keep the other person's and contact/follow-up with that person.

Post: #13

For the businessman / entrepreneur, its totally essential. If they don't have one, they are going to appear an amauter and not so serious. Prospective clients or associates will not look favourably unless the person bullshits his way out if it as in 'I've left my wallet in the car', etc.

Post: #14

Would you guys include a job/businesses title?

I like the format of just a name on the front and then only a number and email on the back.

Post: #15

(07-29-2014 03:31 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Would you guys include a job/businesses title?

I like the format of just a name on the front and then only a number and email on the back.

Every man running a website in a shed has some bullshit made up title on his business cards.

Let your personal card speak for itself through quality. Make it enjoyable to touch and hold; a work of art through its simplicity.

I go for name only, in black on off white card; some friends of mine put a virtual office on too although I disagree with the premise.

Numbers get written by hand; makes the whole interaction more personal, authentic and damned sexy.

Post: #16

(07-29-2014 03:31 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Would you guys include a job/businesses title?

I like the format of just a name on the front and then only a number and email on the back.

yes of course. use the standard biz card format thats been used for ages. don't try to reinvent the wheel here!

Post: #17

I alwAys carry them for professional reasons. In my profession a standard style is best

I have also given them to girls after they have given me their number during day game. I have found that it provides some credibility to a stranger who approaches them in a park, street, or bookstore. Some girls end up adding me on Facebook or admitting to googling me. My credentials have only helped me in cold approaches when they ask for my card.

Post: #18

(07-29-2014 03:41 PM)Dantes Wrote:  I alwAys carry them for professional reasons. In my profession a standard style is best

I have also given them to girls after they have given me their number during day game. I have found that it provides some credibility to a stranger who approaches them in a park, street, or bookstore. Some girls end up adding me on Facebook or admitting to googling me. My credentials have only helped me in cold approaches when they ask for my card.

a girl has asked for your business card?

You americans are obsessed with cards

Post: #19

I carry business cards with me all the time. You never know who you'll meet.
In my industry networking is a key. I've gotten job opportunities just because of the exchange of business cards.
Here's a pic of mine(with my personal info marked out of course).

Post: #20

Yes, vista print is great quality and cheap. Wish my business partner hadn't put the phone number in the corner using the smallest font though :/

My current day job doesn't have biz cards (don't need them anyway) but I actually carry two sets in my wallet: one for my computer business that's starting up and the other one for our radio network. If you have your hand in more than one enterprise, become a card whore!

I hand the radio ones out like candy since more listeners = more $$$.

Post: #21

I carry two different ones. One for my day job and one for my own company. I hand out a lot doing the day job.

Post: #22

(07-29-2014 02:48 PM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 02:34 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 02:32 PM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  Business cards are naff imho. However, gentlemen's calling cards will always be classy.

Calling cards are only to be used in conjunction with a quality fountain pen, however.

Always have just your name and a postal address on the card, then write your mobile number on the back as you hand it to the recipient.

The finer the card the better.

Could you attach an example? Sounds interesting.

http://www.debretts.com/british-etiquett...ting-cards

This kind of idea but with the added personalisation of the fountain pen written number. This works very well for G style suit game.

A bit more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visiting_card

Some examples: http://www.prantl.com/personal-stationer...cards.html

A very English thing tbh but eminently cool if done correctly.

I like this sound of this, did you get yours from Prantl? I see they work out about 110 notes for 50.
What kind of reaction/response do you yet when you try this out?

Post: #23

One of my former employers used to carry business cards in his van.
A little trick he taught me was to get them printed onto magnetized card. That way, they'd double as fridge magnets thus becoming more prevalent in potential customers eyes and increasing his chances of getting business.

Post: #24

I'd say business cards are unique to your situation.

If you don't have a reason to have one, don't bother.

I carry them at all times. Last Saturday a forum member and myself went down to the Ace Hotel downtown. There was a guest list, and the two dudes we were gonna meet didn't get in and bailed. I went up to the guy, gave him my card, and invited him to the hotel for dinner sometime. Got us in in two seconds, and I do this everywhere. 99% of the time they never take me up on the offer, but doormen obviously like looking good in front of the rest of the line; I'm offering goods to this guy just so he lets me into this stupidass venue that was full of gay dudes and fuglies anyway.

Point being, figure out the advantages to getting business cards before actually getting them.

Also, never ever ever use business cards with girls. Bad game.

Any other situation, just own it. Act like you're the most important person they've ever met. And you never know who YOU'RE going to meet and it's good to be prepared. I've got a pile of business cards from all sorts of industry types, the CEO of paramount pictures, people from every hospitality group I can think of. You never know when you'll use them.