Thread: A Business Card w/o a picture???

I need to make some business cards but I don't have $$$ for pics. I am just wondering what ya'll think about business cards without pictures. I am just starting out, which is why I don't have any photos (yet). I actually recieved a card from another dancer without a pic, and it didn't bother me. I was just wondering what other ppl think about it...

Originally Posted by ejaghana

I need to make some business cards but I don't have $$$ for pics. I am just wondering what ya'll think about business cards without pictures. I am just starting out, which is why I don't have any photos (yet). I actually recieved a card from another dancer without a pic, and it didn't bother me. I was just wondering what other ppl think about it...

What about a b&w pic, it's cheaper to print b&w cards. I do mine b&w with ivory paper. Looks very classy.

Na'ima, Gi-Gi, our photographer from Friday nite, took a few photos of you that would make an awesome biz card!! She's really reasonable (like a couple bucks per photo and/or CD). Email me for her contact info...

It's hard to catch someone's attention with just words. People hang onto business cards with interesting artwork or fancy colors. There are free belly dancer gifs and pics that you could use that are generic. I believe Shira has a link on her website.

You can use a graphic treatment and totally do a business card without a "portrait type" photo. Or you can clean up and layer images from haflas or the like that are maybe less than stellar but have nice elements (like a torso or eye & smile or such) and create something interesting graphically.

You could just use a pretty mandala that you find on line with text and leave it at that. Here are two really fast - like 10 seconds in photoshop ideas without a great dance pic:



Simple and clean but there are 100 ideas like that - simple or complex - without using a dance portrait if you don't have one.

Not sure if anyone's mentioned this yet, but vistaprint does great business cards, postcards & etc for great rates. the greatest thing is that one you buy one thing... or even if you log in and register but don't buy, they start sending you all kinds of promotional rates. You can upload one of your pics, or a professional pic to one of their templates and voila.

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?icparts=yes&cfs=-1&pf_id=064&combo_id=4298&combo1=904.100.18.11339| 11339|137|0&gallery_id=64

Hmm, I'm in two minds about this question. I strongly believe that quality promo materials really help you win clients, and are therefore well worth the upfront cost. I also think that crappy materials turn people off, and can be much more of a waste of money. If you're in an area with lots of competition, quality cards will help give you an edge.

Having said that, it makes good sense *not* to spend bucketloads up-front when you're just getting into any business. So an interim business card might work well (the eg.s above look wonderful). However, I wouldn't bother getting lots printed, as that money might be better spent elsewhere. It'd be ideal if you could just print off a small wad to start, but save up and get quality promo shots and cards made up as soon as you can.

Personally, I am so glad for the investment I made in a professional photoshoot. I have used those images over and over again - on my website, cards, brochures, workshop fliers , articles in a bellydance newsletter, submissions to the local paper, posters, etc.

If you do have any spare money, I'd say spending on quality marketing materials are a better investment than, for eg, an extra costume or lots more CD's.

Originally Posted by nasila

Na'ima, Gi-Gi, our photographer from Friday nite, took a few photos of you that would make an awesome biz card!! She's really reasonable (like a couple bucks per photo and/or CD). Email me for her contact info...

Thanks Nasila!!! Emailing you...
And thanks to all of you for the ideas/info. I will keep you all updated on my progress. You Bhuzzers are the best!

I used overnightprints.com for mine, and they were cheap, well-done, and delivered fast. Vista print has a good rep, but at the time at least, they needed you to have Micro$oft's browser in order to use their site.

One gal that I know of had a pretty major problem with overnightprints.com - I don't recall the details - but many others have had stellar results.

Vistaprint actually has a pre-printed card with a bellydancer image on it. They're kinda dull, you'd definitely want to get the glossy version. I'd use them to promote classes, maybe, but as a performer you *really* need your pic on there.

I *highly* recommend a picture. If you can't afford a good one, ask a friend to spend an hour snapping as many as you can, and you should be able to get at least one good one. Just be sure to:
- pick a location with good light
- smile and *mean it* (putting music on really helps, as does talking to yourself "aren't I cute?", "welcome!", etc.)
- keep your eyes open (I learned this the hard way from my wedding photos)
- play with lots of ideas (sitting, standing, lying down, etc.)
- pick some poses and movements that aren't straight up and down (mayas photograph well)
- take *lots* of photos with your veil and any other props (they look fabulous in photos)

If you happen to be in the San Diego area, I can recommend a photographer friend of mine who is *amazing*.

And if you can't find one that you really like, you can really improve an okay one by adding some effects, like a cameo (those ovals that surround you), superimposing the ripples of a veil, or even just showing half of your face.

If you can't do this yourself, and don't know anyone locally, I'd be willing to spend an hour or so on this in exchange for something else (videos, CDs, costume items, etc.). I'm not a photoshop wiz, but I could do some basic effects. Send me a private message if you're interested.


As for the cards themselves, I highly recommend gotprint.com. I got color on the front, B&W on the back, and it's a very high-quality glossy paper.