I noticed on a website that the actors business cards were very basic, what is the norm for these? Can adding some personality like a quote affect us professionally?

I think a quote doesn't add anything, and may distract--what if the CDs ex-partner who he hates always used to quote the same author?

CSilvera, you made me laugh. Yes, that's a good point. And everyone else, THANKS! I'm really loving this message board....Well, I decided to go for the simple business card for now. But I will probably make a second more personal and creative in the near future.
Gracias!!
M

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Sivertson:
But what if he likes the author? It works both ways.

Matt
http://www.ActAdept.com

I doubt anyone is going to be called in because they like someone's quote; I think it's very likely they get rejected if the CD doesn't like it.

a business card is just your contact info and basic identifying info.

as an actor or realtor, you also include a photo of your mug.

Do any of you have business cards with photos on them? Have they worked for you? I have always been intrigued by these and wondered if they "worked."

quote:

Originally posted by Jackie:
Do any of you have business cards with photos on them? Have they worked for you? I have always been intrigued by these and wondered if they "worked."

Yes
We gang up three on a 6x4 postcard
then trim down to
2" x 3.5" which is biz card size

We have a guiloteen [sp?} cutter at home

We prefer to give a full 6x4 postcard,
but if it would seem tacky, we go biz card route.

quote:

Originally posted by Jackie:
Do any of you have business cards with photos on them? Have they worked for you? I have always been intrigued by these and wondered if they "worked."

I have business cards with my photo on them (I created them at VistaPrint.com) that I give to actors/crew that I meet either on the set or at auditions.

There's a collection of other people's cards in my desk drawer, and I've used those cards to contact people about auditions, etc. -- so, yes, they DO "work."

quote:

Originally posted by boheme:

quote:

Originally posted by Jackie:
Do any of you have business cards with photos on them? Have they worked for you? I have always been intrigued by these and wondered if they "worked."

I have business cards with my photo on them (I created them at VistaPrint.com) that I give to actors/crew that I meet either on the set or at auditions.

There's a collection of other people's cards in my desk drawer, and I've used those cards to contact people about auditions, etc. -- so, yes, they DO "work."

How do you define, "work"??

"Work" as in "getting acting jobs," or 'work' as in a convenient way to pass on your phone number?


I've noticed many, many actors using them over the years, but in my experience they occupy the very bottom of the marketing barrel. My experience with business cards has been largely on the "miserably ineffective" side. I've seen lots of people get dates from passing them out on the street, but so far, nary an acting role.

Compared with typical headshots and resumes, even postcards, I've seen very few legitimate jobs attributable to their use.

I wonder if they work less for the traditional job route--which may work best with the headshot/postcard method--and more for keeping in contact with people you meet on jobs/at parties/at class/etc--this could be helpful with those quirky jobs that come up now and then from unexpected sources.
There are times when it would be silly to whip out a headshot so the business card could work as a placeholder, and one could send a headshot follow up if it were appropriate....