Should I hold off on business cards when starting a new business?

Im a promoter and Im starting a promoting business booking bands in Florida. I created a resume and cover letter so I approach the owners of the club and try to book some bands for them. At least i want to look professional. I dont feel I should spend any money yet on professional business cards until I can at least get my first gig booking a band. What do u think?


I can get the free cheapo business cards at vistaprint.com...but that will downplay me. The backside of the card says "free cards at vista.com" Business owners will lose respect for me when they see that.


I think its best to walk into the club with an expensive suit and a cover letter and resume FIRST. If my business fails..then i have no money invested. Or should I get the free cheapo cards anyway and spend 7 bucks in shipping? I dont want to look cheap.

Should I hold off on business cards when starting a new business?
http://vistaprint.com all you have to do is pay for the shipping and get 250 cards. I did this for my wife's Avon stuff.
Reply:I have ordered business cards from Vista Print and they look pretty good for the price. You can pay little extra and they will remove the "free cards" thing on the back. They do look better than cards printed on an ink jet printer.
Reply:You have invested time and energy to look professional. Business cards will lend credibility to your business.





Cards are easier for club owners to keep and reference. The cards also are a way of advertising and making an impression. You can also give out cards when meeting someone by chance and your letter and resume are not available. Club owners any also pass your card along. Have you ever heard of someone passing along a resume?





Your card should include your name, company name, company service, city or area, business phone, cell phone and email.


ie; try to center the names place the numbers and area in the corners.


Johnny Soundwaves


Soundwave Promotions


Greater Smallville


bus(123)456-9922


Cell(123)456-2299


jsound@bandbuster.com
Reply:Business cards - you can get them prett inexpensive and just get a very thick cardstock with plain imprinting. No need to spend a lot on graphic design. As long as the cardstock is thick, it'll give the quality image you'd like to reflect. But, you definitely need business cards.
Reply:Get the cards. In fact get the best cards.





Your product is yourself and your ability to promote.





If you can't even get good business cards to promote yourself, no one is going to believe you can promote them well.
Reply:Business cards can be handed out quickly and casually where you won't have time to fumble for a letter or a brochure. They're small and discreet.





I wouldn't scrimp on the quality, either. If you want high-stakes clients, you'd better look like you can handle the money.
Reply:Getting some nice business cards is going to be worth the expense. As you've noted, cheap cards will "downplay" you. However, *no* cards would be even worse.





Be aware that you can deduct your business expenses!
Reply:1. if some person brought me a resume for a service, no offense, I'd laugh.





2. if a person showed up and by minute 2 I asked, got a card? and they said no, I'd laugh even harder.





3. key to biz is not "professional" as in college, resume, all straight type, etc, etc. Professional is nice clean clothes or uniform, professional biz cards, phone number that ALWAYS works, returning messages of any type within 24 hrs, etc. That is a professional business.





4. your best bet is to talk to bands you already know, ask where they have played before. Then ask for mgr's names, etc. Now you have an "in" as you have a name. Stop by, ask for "Mike", now they "think" you know him since you asked for him by name. Don't be too stiff.





When Mike comes, say, yea, "so in so" band recommended your club so I thought I would come talk to you about other business. Then let the convo flow from there.....

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