| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you have your own business cards? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:55
German to English
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But I could count on the fingers of one hand the times I've given them out for professional reasons.
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 16:55
Member (2009)
English to German
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I voted others because I do have my own business card, but not as a translator/teacher...yet. Working mostly online, I'd say that my profile here on ProZ.com is my business card.
Other than that, I own a business card as writer and creative artist (self-designed) which I have handed out... I don't even remember how many times.
| | | | Adnan Özdemir
Türkiye
Local time: 17:55
Member (2007)
German to Turkish
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Only for big outsourcers/customers. In the past (5-6 years ago) I have had so many business cards (printed 2000 pcs.).
Nowadays, i print and use it only for international outsourcers that i contact in real life.
Plus, I use my E-mail accounts as a business card too
Anadolu'dan selamlar
Saludos desde Anatolia
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| Very useful for jotting things down on... | Feb 12, 2011 |
Have you noticed how you can never find them when you want to give one to someone, but they appear when you want to write down someone else's details on the back?
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:55
Spanish to English
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Ran out of the last lot a while ago and have been meaning to get new updated ones made up, but never seem to get round to it. Last week, a well-meaning friend gave me some free software to make my own but I have my printer set to print out A4 sized bills and envelopes and I simply don't want to start fiddling with my setup or waste time trying to do it myself, so will probably get them made up professionally if I ever get round to it.
However, lately I have found that I am often more like... See more Ran out of the last lot a while ago and have been meaning to get new updated ones made up, but never seem to get round to it. Last week, a well-meaning friend gave me some free software to make my own but I have my printer set to print out A4 sized bills and envelopes and I simply don't want to start fiddling with my setup or waste time trying to do it myself, so will probably get them made up professionally if I ever get round to it.
However, lately I have found that I am often more likely to conceal my details or otherwise make myself unavailable rather than be permanently touting for new clients, who can often be more trouble than they're worth, as I have already found twice this week to my chagrin... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Alison Sabedoria (X)
United Kingdom
French to English
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| Yes, plus postcards and bookmarks | Feb 12, 2011 |
I have a small, discreet (makes a change for me!) business card which slips into a wallet like any other, but I sometimes send/give out postcard-sized cards with eye-catching images (sometimes my own artwork) and bookmarks. Like Thayenga, I'm also a writer and artist and I like to give currrent or potential clients something attractive to keep on their desk or stick on the wall.
Bookmarks are relatively easy to create for anyone who can use a basic graphics or DTP programme,... See more I have a small, discreet (makes a change for me!) business card which slips into a wallet like any other, but I sometimes send/give out postcard-sized cards with eye-catching images (sometimes my own artwork) and bookmarks. Like Thayenga, I'm also a writer and artist and I like to give currrent or potential clients something attractive to keep on their desk or stick on the wall.
Bookmarks are relatively easy to create for anyone who can use a basic graphics or DTP programme, even Word will do. They're just business cards, but longer (full width of an A4 page). If the basic information is all at one end or along top or bottom, there's room to print an image, a nice quotation or hand write a personal message. Printed on a good art card (experiment and see what your printer will take), these are appreciated as free and useful gifts rather than just publicity or contact details. Unfortunately I often end up crumpling them in my bag!
Stay visible - be remembered!
Alison ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Not used for their intended purpose | Feb 12, 2011 |
I was going to say that I use them professionally, but that's quite rare. Noni's case is closer to reality.
aceavila - Noni wrote:
Have you noticed how you can never find them when you want to give one to someone, but they appear when you want to write down someone else's details on the back?
Professionally, I use them for networking, not directly for finding clients. They come in handy at translator meetings. Networking has resulted in several clients, but usually much later or indirectly. At least it reminds people that I'm still on the planet and still sitting in front of my computer.
I once gave my card to a recruiter looking for someone to teach Portuguese-English translation. I didn't pursue it, however--too much hard work.
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 16:55
Member (2006)
German to English
Ordered 5000 at a discount price, have probably handed out 50 over the past 5 years. But they are there if I need them:-)
| | | | Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:55
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
I had some once and never found any use for them.
| | | | | I use my email footer/ProZ profile | Feb 12, 2011 |
I've never had business cards. I did consider getting them once, but decided not to. And going on the comments here, I think that was a wise decision...
I use my email footer in Outlook as my business card, which has individual links to my main ProZ profile, my WWA, my online credentials, as well as my contact details and a flash graphic. And having tracked the links that have been clicked from it over the years, it does actually seem to work as an effective business card.
... See more I've never had business cards. I did consider getting them once, but decided not to. And going on the comments here, I think that was a wise decision...
I use my email footer in Outlook as my business card, which has individual links to my main ProZ profile, my WWA, my online credentials, as well as my contact details and a flash graphic. And having tracked the links that have been clicked from it over the years, it does actually seem to work as an effective business card.
SaludoZ ▲ Collapse
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but i keep thinking i should get them and I never do. It seems i'm probably right....everyone here who gets them doesn't seem to have gotten much use from them!
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Patricia Charnet
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:55
Member (2009)
English to French
I give them to people collecting translations, networking meetings, when meeting clients face to face - I always give loads - and it works even when given casually when socialising sometimes people come back years later - one client moved to UAE and contacted me 10 years later and found me with the web site as I had changed of address and phone numbers but thanks to the business card they had the name, found the web site (which did not exist at the time I gave them the card), chased me with the ... See more I give them to people collecting translations, networking meetings, when meeting clients face to face - I always give loads - and it works even when given casually when socialising sometimes people come back years later - one client moved to UAE and contacted me 10 years later and found me with the web site as I had changed of address and phone numbers but thanks to the business card they had the name, found the web site (which did not exist at the time I gave them the card), chased me with the change of address and telephone number through the web site.
they do work - invest in them - it's amazing, and when people see you face to face (even socialising) they're reassured, and a satisfied client picking up the translation is likely to praise you to other people - many times I've heard ... "xxx gave me one of your cards, I hope you don't mind me calling like that but I need to have a document translated into French". ▲ Collapse
| | | | Luciana F (X)
Argentina
English to Spanish
| No, but I want to in the near future. | Feb 12, 2011 |
For those who do have business cards, what information do you include?
Because I hate when business cards had so much info that turns out hard to read.
| | | | Tanja Oresnik
Slovenia
Local time: 16:55
French to Slovenian
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| No, but planning on getting them | Feb 12, 2011 |
I found myself in a couple of situations already in which I was asked for my contact details by potential clients, which ended up in me writing the info needed on a piece of paper - not too professional. That's why I decided to get a proper business card. I had it designed and it is now ready for print.
Alison, I like your idea of bookmarks and postcards. I often send my translations on CDs, usually accompanied by the necessa... See more I found myself in a couple of situations already in which I was asked for my contact details by potential clients, which ended up in me writing the info needed on a piece of paper - not too professional. That's why I decided to get a proper business card. I had it designed and it is now ready for print.
Alison, I like your idea of bookmarks and postcards. I often send my translations on CDs, usually accompanied by the necessary info on a piece of office paper. In this case a postcard could work. I will consider this idea and consult my graphic designer! ▲ Collapse
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