aFew Business ?S for the Pros :-)

[jrb0328]

Do you make your own business cards? What design software do you use if any? What office supplies do you feel are vital to your business?

 

[katie0128]

As far as business cards... there are lots of variations, but I think a large majority make their own... the ones from Merrill are nice, but expensive. Some use Vista Print or other online printers and some make their own using Word or Publisher.

Be careful asking what office supplies are vital to a business... there are LOTS and LOTS of "office supply addicts" running around - myself included. To me, EVERYTHING in the entire Staples store is absolutely VITAL to my business... at least that is what I keep telling myself everytime I go in and spend too much money!

 

[jrstephens]

I am not a pro by any means but I will answer.

I get my business cards from www.vistaprint.com It is a lot cheaper than what it would cost me to do them at home. Most of the time they have specials going and you only pay shipping. You can do do post cards, flyers, tshirts and all kinds of things on their website. If you do a search on here, you will find many, many threads about them.

 

[jrb0328]

thanks for your replies

 

[pampchefrhondab]

When I first started in the business I made my own using Print Master. They looked, nice but not as nice as the ones from Merrill. They are really nice and worth every penny you pay for them. Very professional.

 

[jrb0328]

what about postcards? i have seen many people talk about them being used. but what in particular would you use them for? does anyone have a sample that i see of a postcard?

 

[merego]

I bought mine from Merrill and I just bought the HWC invites for a May party and they are very nice. Are you talking about the postcards in your started host kits? if so, those can be ordered on the PC website.
I, like Katie am a supply addict and a shopaholic, so everything is a neccesity to me My DH disagrees~ LOL

 

[wadesgirl]

I used to make my own. I would put them on bright colored card stock paper hoping that it would help to catch people's eye. Last year Merrill had a sale so I bought 1000 for the price of 500.

 

[beepampered]

The business cards from Merrill are so much more impressive than the ones from Vista.

Supplies I use:

colored paper for specials or invites (I buy a ream at a time of pink and blue)
Card stock (ream of yellow) - again for invites or things I want firm
scissors, tape staplers
Highlighters (bought a four pack for variety) so I can mark important stuff
For Deposit Only stamp with account number on it(from Vista)
Stamp with name/contact info (from Office Max-Merrills is too small to read)
Separate checking account for business
Calendar on wall and in bag so I can always know the day
Computer

Best Wishes....

 

[jrb0328]

does having the extra checking account really help?

 

[beepampered]

The extra checking account is essential for record keeping. I am at a credit union so there is a $1 per month fee and it's linked to my main account for overdraft protection. It may not be worth it if it costs a lot more.

The more shows you do, the more money you have coming in and out of your account. It's crazy to keep up with that in addition to the mortgage, credit card, utilities, etc. I have it separate and I can see what I have made and spend it on something that I choose rather than it going into the eternal money pit of our general budget.

Oh: another essential tool is the phone. All the design software in the world won't get a booking but phone calls and personal contacts will....

 

[mpkegley]

what about postcards? i have seen many people talk about them being used. but what in particular would you use them for? does anyone have a sample that i see of a postcard?

You can do anything with the postcards. I made some up with recipes on them with my info. Give them to each guest at your shows. They can stick them in their recipe box and they will think of me everytime they make the recipe.

You can also make some kind of host coaching postcard, if you like. Make one up that says "Don't forget to mail out your invitations" or any kind of incentive that you are doing. That would be a fun little thing for the host as a reminder. Another idea would be "Thank you for your order" and maybe put a good tip on it and send to your outside orders/catalog show guests.

That is just a few ideas, but I am sure if you thought about it, you could come up with some great ideas too. I LOVE using the postcards from Vista Print.

 

[rebeccastt]

A phone headset!!!!


It makes calling customers much easier than holding the phone to your ear for an hour. I think you can get into the groove much easier when you have the headset on, and it leaves both hands free to do other things!