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Value in having business cards?
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jack_b57



Joined: 02 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:21 am    Post subject: Value in having business cards? Reply with quote

Anyone personally know if it's useful to have your own business card here in Korea? Whether you're a teacher, unemployed, or work in a non-teaching job, did you find it worthwhile to take time and money out to get your own cards made here?
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NYC_Gal 2.0



Joined: 10 Dec 2010

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I still have a bunch leftover from back home, and they're pretty useful. If they're cheap, get them. Why not? It always looks more professional when you're networking if you have a nicely designed card.
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Who's Your Daddy?



Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pretty cheap to get, and useful.
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madoka



Joined: 27 Mar 2008

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've actually invested a lot into my business cards. It helps you to get noticed and has resulted in quite a few referrals for me.
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korea87



Joined: 28 Feb 2010

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

where can you get business cards made in korea? i live in a small town/city near bundang. how can you tell a store makes business cards?
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madoka



Joined: 27 Mar 2008

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

korea87 wrote:
where can you get business cards made in korea? i live in a small town/city near bundang. how can you tell a store makes business cards?


I remember going to one at Yongsan. It was one of the only shops located on that long walkway from the station to the computer shops on the other side. I think there were a whole bunch of samples posted on the store window and they were nicer than most places I've seen. The lady that ran it spoke a smidge of English and seemed pretty patient with me while we talked design.

I think most business card shops were pretty easy to spot because they plastered a bunch of samples on the shop's windows and door.
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carleverson



Joined: 04 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Absolutely no value at all. They're a waste of time and money. Most people throw your card away after they leave.
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Steelrails



Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

carleverson wrote:
Absolutely no value at all. They're a waste of time and money. Most people throw your card away after they leave.


Same with the endless parade of chicken/pizza magnets.

But I still end up using them sometimes.
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madoka



Joined: 27 Mar 2008

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

carleverson wrote:
Absolutely no value at all. They're a waste of time and money. Most people throw your card away after they leave.


That's why I get mine done here:

http://www.plasmadesign.co.uk/

People think they are neat and are much more likely to hold on to my card. While metal cards can be expensive, I've gotten enough business from them that they more than pay for themselves hundreds of time over.
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T-J



Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For those that haven't seen it, I give you "your business card is crap"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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NYC_Gal 2.0



Joined: 10 Dec 2010

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 4:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

madoka wrote:
carleverson wrote:
Absolutely no value at all. They're a waste of time and money. Most people throw your card away after they leave.


That's why I get mine done here:

http://www.plasmadesign.co.uk/

People think they are neat and are much more likely to hold on to my card. While metal cards can be expensive, I've gotten enough business from them that they more than pay for themselves hundreds of time over.


These look really nice. I had a magazine-industry art legend design mine, but would love to have plastic cards. Do you know if they let you submit your own design and color-requirements? I had her make a logo from scratch that I'd like to keep.
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madoka



Joined: 27 Mar 2008

PostPosted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NYC_Gal 2.0 wrote:
These look really nice. I had a magazine-industry art legend design mine, but would love to have plastic cards. Do you know if they let you submit your own design and color-requirements? I had her make a logo from scratch that I'd like to keep.


Yeah, they make the business cards for Steve Wozniak, Bentley, and the U.N. among others. Kinda pricey, but they do high quality work.

Yes, you can submit your own designs and requirements. They'll work with you and are really patient.

Personally, I got some business card books, took pictures of the ones I liked, then went to designers with those pics to make mine. The lady at Yongsan that I mentioned charged something like 25,000-40,000 won to design a business card. Once I had a design, I submitted it to plasmadesign and they shipped off my cards about a week later. Plasmadesign also has free designers that will work with you, but it takes a few days in between samples.

I think you'll find that their cards often become a conversation starter. Plus, it helps you stand out a bit more especially when you're dealing with higher end clients.

BTW, among the plastic cards, I found that the clear ones scratch rather easily. The black satin seem to hold up much better. Also, once you become a repeat customer, they will surprise you with an extra 10% in additional cards. Sorry to ruin the surprise. Smile
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Andyc24_uk



Joined: 21 May 2007

PostPosted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 5:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheapest place to get quality professional-looking business cards from is www.vistaprint.com (or.co.uk or .au or any of their other regional versions).

They usually offer 250 cards completely free (you choose from ~100 stock designs, several of which are perfectly suitable for an ESL teacher - I've used a couple and find the national flag ones look smart and go down well with parents/prospective employers/random ajoshis in the soju tent Razz - or you can upload your own design for a couple of dollars). All you'll likely pay for is delivery charges.

Sign up for their newsletter and you'll get special offers in your mailbox - chances are you'll be able to get 500 free instead of 250 if you wait a day or two; or else you'll get 250 of the premium cards (a bit flashier, more designs to choose from), or free uploading of your own design, or a free metal card case...

Either way, you should end up with more than enough business cards for a total sum of around $5...
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Sprite06



Joined: 20 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who are you guys giving these cards to?

Your card just says what? Your name, contact details, and English teacher?
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NYC_Gal 2.0



Joined: 10 Dec 2010

PostPosted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 5:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

@Madoka
Thanks for the tip. I was really keen on the clear ones. Darn.

@Sprite06
I give them to anyone who might possibly help me move to university if and when I make the jump. As for what's on them, they list that I'm an editor, writer, and English teacher. I had them done way before I even thought of moving to Korea. They also have a nice logo that a good friend designed for me. I only list my email and name, because mobile phone numbers can change rather often.
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