Sample Business Cards

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I want to start a side business (if it grows in the full-time then that would be great too) making business cards, invitations, photo calendars, programs, etc. I've started working on my business plan. I've decided that I'm going to focus on other self employeed people and small businesses to begin with and go from there. Maybe make "sample" business and appointment cards and send them to these companies. Anyway, I'm looking for helpful tips and advice on things I need to know and how to go about finding distributors for the supplies I'll need.

Best Answer

There are i think hundreds of companies that produce business cards like Vista Print which I used for my own business. One thing you need to consider when starting a business is to find out what the competition is and what they do well and what they don't do well. If you can't duplicate or excel at what they do well or better than what they don't do well. You might have a hard time getting customers. You have to look for a niche and a provide a service that you can't easily find elsewhere. I operate and own my own business outside of working a 9-5 job so I don't have to quit my current position to persue my business. As far as finding distributors, you would need to go to a website that specializes in finding distributors like alibaba.com and tradekey.com THey're pretty good. But make sure you offer a product and a service that either locally or through the internet. Unfortunately, the internet has driven down the prices of commodities and services like the one you're persuing. Like Vista print actually gives cards out for free and all you pay is shipping. I don't think you'll beat competitors on price. So a marketable service is probably your best shot. Good luck. If you are interested in a spare time business that gives you residual income, let me know.

do i start by showing samples to card shops?

Best Answer

Start with a business plan. It helps you sort out what you want to do, how much you want to do and how you're going to do it. The key part of it is your marketing plan, where you identify your target markets, through researching what's out there, what the demand is likely to be and work out how you'll reach them. It may sound like a lot of work to do when you think you've got a product and just want to get on with promoting it but it helps to have a clear idea of how you're doing it. There are things like production to work out. You can produce them yourself, provided you've a decent printer and use good quality card. Commercial printers usually have a minimum run of 250 per design. Some will do 100 but the costs are higher the smaller the run. If you license your designs to a card producer, they pay you a fixed fee for 3 or 5 years for exclusive use of the design. You can't do anything else commercial with that design during that period. One way of marketing is to show samples to card shops. Another is to go to bookshops. Most of them have a rack of cards. Some will take a few cards on a sale or return basis. Once they find the ones that sell, they'll then buy a quantity from you. As has been suggested, you could sell them on-line. When you've worked out who your target market is, you'll have a better idea of how to promote your cards. For example, we produce cards for a client who paints watercolours of cars. He markets to car enthusiasts, clubs, etc. If you've got the money for it, Spring Fair at the NEC, Birmingham, has a massive hall for exhibiting your cards. Someone we know attends it and 4 other trade shows a year and that gives her enough income from her cards. If you're in the UK, visit it during the first week of February to see what's happening in the market. Talk, tactfully, to some of the exhibitors about the market and pick up a few ideas. Good luck!

There are some sites which give 250 free busines cards as a sample, but i havent yet found any that will let you upload your own logos and designs Anyone know of any?

Best Answer

www.vistaprint.com Get on their mailing list for email promo's. They very frequently have free sales for logo creation/uploads..and free products. I buy all of my promotional items there.

Please help me to show the relevant points to be shown in a business card , which shows the main features of my website. If any one can provide a sample card it will be a great help. also if you can suggest an image for my homepage it will be a great help

Best Answer

stop being cheap and find a graphic designer

Best Answer

www.freeprintablebusinesscards.net