What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?
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I've been involved in a small discussion about making business cards that stand out. Already knowing that sometimes my thoughts and ideas are not necessarily in line with the popular opinions (even though they're always brilliant...), I wanted to see what others out there on the receiving end think; so I'll reserve my personal opinions for the comments section. The big question is, what do you think of non-standard format business cards? Square cards, round cards, or other variations.
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I like cards that stand out, yet are in the traditional format.
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Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
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@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I have a stack of them here, which is equivalent to tossing them,
But I do like to look at the cool looking ones,.
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If I'm at a meeting and get one, I take it and put it in either my CRM or Outlook. Then I keep the card in a drawer and then eventually throw them away. I think they still have their place in business. It's something tangible to give out to business prospects or customers. Some people toss them, some people love them. I'm in between. Non-standard designs are nice as they stand out from the crowd.
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- I don't typically hang onto them unless I plan on reaching out that contact in the very near future.
- I do think that a memorable business card has greater value, as it sticks in your memory better, but...
- As soon as I see a round or square card, or any not-the-normal-shape card, I think "this is not a serious business, and I will not take them seriously. This person is a tree-hugger from a graphic design background who made this card using their MacBook."
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@art_of_shred said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
..- As soon as I see a round or square card, or any not-the-normal-shape card, I think "this is not a serious business, and I will not take them seriously. This person is a tree-hugger from a graphic design background who made this card using their MacBook."
Yes and no depending on the business. If you're looking for a graphic design company, or a freelance artist, etc, then I would almost expect their cards to be "special."
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@fuznutz04 said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@art_of_shred said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
..- As soon as I see a round or square card, or any not-the-normal-shape card, I think "this is not a serious business, and I will not take them seriously. This person is a tree-hugger from a graphic design background who made this card using their MacBook."
Yes and no depending on the business. If you're looking for a graphic design company, or a freelance artist, etc, then I would almost expect their cards to be "special."
Agreed, but I never am.
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Me neither, and If I am, it's usually online anyway.
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@BRRABill said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
I like cards that stand out, yet are in the traditional format.
I like conformity that stands out as well.
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@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I keep them. I know lots of people who do.
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@scottalanmiller said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I keep them. I know lots of people who do.
I believe you do, but tell me this... where are they currently?
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@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I keep them. I hope to someday (been saying this for years) to actually create a database of them and use them to my advantage. Hmmmmm.... I need an office
slave, umminion, sigh... intern. -
@fuznutz04 said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
If I'm at a meeting and get one, I take it and put it in either my CRM or Outlook. Then I keep the card in a drawer and then eventually throw them away. I think they still have their place in business. It's something tangible to give out to business prospects or customers. Some people toss them, some people love them. I'm in between. Non-standard designs are nice as they stand out from the crowd.
The nice thing about business cards is that they are physical and help to solidify a memory that other forms of information exchange do not.
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@art_of_shred said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
- I don't typically hang onto them unless I plan on reaching out that contact in the very near future.
- I do think that a memorable business card has greater value, as it sticks in your memory better, but...
- As soon as I see a round or square card, or any not-the-normal-shape card, I think "this is not a serious business, and I will not take them seriously. This person is a tree-hugger from a graphic design background who made this card using their MacBook."
This pretty much sums up how I feel about them. You have to go to an extreme level to make a non-standard card stand out enough to justify the effect of #3.
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@art_of_shred said
- As soon as I see a round or square card, or any not-the-normal-shape card, I think "this is not a serious business, and I will not take them seriously. This person is a tree-hugger from a graphic design background who made this card using their MacBook."
Phew, there are some things to talk about in that one.
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@Minion-Queen said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I keep them. I hope to someday (been saying this for years) to actually create a database of them and use them to my advantage. Hmmmmm.... I need an office
slave, umminion, sigh... intern dressed like a minion.FTFY.
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@dafyre said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@Minion-Queen said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I keep them. I hope to someday (been saying this for years) to actually create a database of them and use them to my advantage. Hmmmmm.... I need an office
slave, umminion, sigh... intern dressed like a minion.FTFY.
OOOOO I like that one, entertainment and productivity
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@dafyre said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@Minion-Queen said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
@coliver said in What is the general opinion of non-standard business card formats?:
Do people keep business cards? Am I the only one that basically chucks them as soon as I get them?
I keep them. I hope to someday (been saying this for years) to actually create a database of them and use them to my advantage. Hmmmmm.... I need an office
slave, umminion, sigh... intern dressed like a minion.FTFY.
I think we might be able to make this happen. You got my vote!
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Do not give me an odd sized business card. It will go in the bin as soon as I see a recycle can.
Standard sized that stands out in some way is what you want for something like that.
