Business card but no website?
Is it possible to have a freelance graphic design business card with no website on it? I’m looking to build a portfolio by freelancing and was thinking of handing out business cards, is it worth giving it a go?
Replies9
- Nowadays there are free webpages such as Wix ...or if I could see since you are a designer simply having a qr code of your Dribble or Behance handle also works great and adds up to the design factor of branding...it truly reflects to your client that you are tech savy person adding brownie points to your tech background of UX designThis knowledge was provided to me by my Business Coach Nandini Bhargava.You could find her at : https://youandyou.co/Cheers!
- Hello @Ella Askri - A business card is very useful to have with you at all times. One never knows when someone you meet will be interested in what you do and/or know someone who might be - and these occassions can be very random - for example I've given my card to people I've met for a few minutes while chatting in the park, at the coffee shop, art galleries, and parties, as well at networking events / design fairs. I agree with @Sarah Boris in that as long as you have some link to your work samples it is fine not to have a website on your business card.
- Hello Ella, I think it would be a common expectation for a designer to have some kind of online presence, you could lose out if a potential client can't view samples of your work easily. Some may actively look for familiarity with presenting online, especially since this is such a large part of life now. My own business cards were enjoyable to design, but I haven't had the opportunity to hand many out. I often acquire cards from independent creators post-purchase and have a small collection simply because I like them. However, they didn't generate my initial custom. Cards would be useful for networking events/design fairs. If I am given one in this way I often check out the links on it. There is that digital presence again! It helps to keep someone's interest in your business. You can reach many more people and really show a breadth of skills through digital means. Good to have both if possible, then you are all set for any opportunities that might come your way.
- Hi Ella, I’m interested to hear where you intend to hand out your business cards? Are you planning to attend networking events or similar…? Personally I haven’t felt the need to have physical business cards in many years. Its a redundant medium in my opinion. You definitely should have some form of digital profile, though, where people can see your work and find out more about you.
- Hello Ella,I would recommend you to have a double think if you need business cards. I have a career obver 10 years and it was less than 5 times I handed out business cards for someone. Not kidding. Between I'm a freelancer and was most of the times, so on average I worked with 30 different companies per year.In case of website you MUST HAVE a platform where you can show your work. I personally think instagram does not give the right form for showing projects in depth but that is still way more than nothing. I do have that for most of small projects and experiments, a website for full bigger projects and behance for collaborative stuff. You don't have to have all that but try to put together a pdf proftolio with 5 projects and update your insta 2-3 times a week, that would be a great start.Hope it helps!
- Hello Ella, I think it's fine to have a business card with no website but I definitely think it should include some form of other link where people can see your work such your instagram handle. I think your business card is a nice way of showing people a little piece of design already so I would also consider how it feels, the paper, weight, printing or embossing etc, the typeface, if you have a logo or not. I think it's really nice to craft it so it shows your skills however small a piece of paper it is. I hope this helps.Have a great day
- Hi Ella,I think personally you would need some form of social media presence to showcase your work which is a visual artform - Adam mentioned Vice cards but he says they still have to point to something online - I'm not clear whether you have no online presence or something e.g. on Instagram or similar. You are competing with thousands of other designers who will have an online presence but these days it doesn't have to be a paid-for website. Having to physically give a card to someone will also limit the scope of your advertising to people you meet, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth having for those occasions.
- Take a look at Vice cards. You buy one card from them that utilises contactless technology. When you meet a new client you tap their phone providing them with a link to all your social media/online portfolio links.
- Yes – In some cultures, a business card is an extremely important indication of your standing, intention, and beliefs. A card is part of your identity and thus an extention of you.They will want to see some work eventually so have a PDF ready to send when they respond. The PDF could contain student pieces, self directed projects, your local Pet or Bagel shop flyers... as long as you have something.Once you get a bigger project which includes a stream of work or artwork that crosses many touchpoints then you can apply that to your site or gram.*
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