Personal calling cards - yea or nay?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m curious if anyone uses personal calling cards when they don’t have business cards to give out?

Right now I’m back in college and don’t have a ‘real’ job , ‘real’ meaning w/ business cards. But during networking events, some through the university, others outside events, I would like to exchange ‘business’ cards, but I aint got any. And it feels awkward to receive a business card from someone else and not have any to return. But I’ve noticed a few other students that have made some personal cards which I thought were fairly decent. The link above has some that I really like, but it feels odd to me for some reason, like I’m a poser or some such.

So what do people do in this situation? Has anyone ever used personal cards? What are your experiences?

Thank you,

AP

2

I’ve been dealing with an outplacement firm as one of my layoff benefits, and they made me some “business” cards and recommended I hand them out when I meet people. One good reason for having them handy is that if you want to give someone “interesting” your contact information you don’t need to dig around for a scrap of paper and a pen.

3

I think they’re a great idea!

4

I just give them my domain name, or if I’m in full on geek mode I break out my Hipster PDA (google it) and then scribble my info on a 3x5 card for them.

I did consider getting a calling card but I personally couldn’t see myself using it.

– IG

5

A “calling card” is used for social purposes, and properly only states the name of the person.

A “business card” is used for professional purposes, and contains relevant professional information, including job title, firm, and business contact information. (A business card is often used socially, as a convenient means of trading information, but not in the same way as a calling card.)

While being a college student isn’t what we usually consider a “profession,” Agnostic Pagan’s needs definitely fall into the “business card” category, especially as he wants to use them for networking. Since he doesn’t have a job title, just the name of the “firm”–aka his university and maybe his department–is sufficient.

To answer the OP’s specific questions:
**So what do people do in this situation? Has anyone ever used personal cards? **
I was in the same position when I was in graduate school. At my mom’s suggestion, I used those Avery make-your-own business cards. I formatted them like a traditional business card with my name, the name of my university and program, and personal contact information. They came out looking great. And my mom is always right–see below.

What are your experiences?
My experiences were entirely positive. I was really glad to have them. It avoided the awkwardness of not having a card to trade, as the OP suggests. It also gave me instant credibility. People took me more seriously for having a card, even though it was just a simple little thing. I scored a lot of free books and materials by handing my card to vendors. Also, people were less likely to lose it or throw it away by accident. After the first conference that I had them, all my buddies got some too.

Now, it might seem a little unusual for an undergraduate to have a card, but the OP states he is “back in school,” and actively looking to make contacts, so I’m surmising that he is a slightly older student who is serious about his studies. It won’t make him look like a “poser” if he doesn’t make it fancier and more elaborate than it needs to be.

So, I say–do it. You won’t regret it. And if for some reason you don’t feel comfortable pulling it out, well, you can just leave it in your pocket.

6

If they need to have your info, do you want them to have it in a matchbook or in a professionally printed card? Where are they more likely to keep it? It shows you care.

7

I’m far past grad school but I’ve used personal cards since my teens. They have my name, a fake organization - “Montana Coyote Growers Association”, my personal email and cell phone number. Since I no longer have a listed phone number and am cell only it’s an easy way to share that information.

I would never give them out in a business situation, likewise, I would never give my business card to some gal I met and wanted to date.

whistlepig

8

I have some cards - I think of them as “contact” cards – that I keep in my wallet. They have the names of myself and Mr. Stuff, our home address, home phone number, and my e-mail address.

I don’t whip them out a lot, but sometimes, I want to tell someone to give me a call, or someone asks for my address, and it’s so nice to hand them a card instead of digging through my purse for scrap paper, which I don’t usually have. People really seem to like it, too.

I printed them myself on our laser printer, and so they aren’t even very costly. I only do a sheet at a time, so I don’t end up with 200 out of date cards if our information changes.

9

I got some contact cards about a year ago, from VistaPrint.com. Just my name, phone number, and email address. I’ve mostly given them to the parents of my son’s friends. Saves time when we’re busy rounding the kids up after a school event or somesuch.

10

That’s great. I have fake cards that I mostly use for winning free lunches, but mine just have my name, phone number and the phrase “Man About Town”. I also thought of having the names of different drinks put on the backs for ease ordering in croweded and loud bars.

11

When paying a call, remember to turn down the corner of it to indicate that you delivered it in person, rather than having one of your servants do it.

12

I like the “Man About Town” part. I have a friend who worked at a printing company and I almost had cards made that just said “Rob” in 10pt red type. For social situations where people start handing those types of things around.

As a side note I do have a real job but I don’t have business cards for it. When I get to go to the industry trade show in Chicago I start recycling cards. When I am going through the show there are always people who insist in giving you their card even if you are just looking and not taking swag. I just hand them the card of the previous person that forced one on me. I know it’s wrong but it gives me a little chuckle.

13

Personally I see no reason for calling cards. Though, a very respected jurist in Philly gave me a particularly memorable calling card this year. I was mediating an insurance settlement case with him. During a lull in the negotiations he said, “Let me give you my card.” He handed my a brilliant white card which stated in 10 point script
My Card
I’m sure others have seen this but I thought it was great. I wanted to go out and order a box of them.

14

I like them. I have them. I rarely use them, though, because I’m just not very sociable. But they’re great when you want to give someone your email address.

I collect business cards if they’re interesting looking, so I’m always happy to pick up someone’s business card if it’s worth looking at twice.

I have a real job where I deal with the public 0% of the time and I have no need whatsoever for a job-related business card.

15

I used to use a system of 3X5 cards to keep myself organized and had some blank 3X5 cards printed with the stuff you would have on a business card for handing out. The upsides were that nobody ever loses them and I could write other things on them as necessary.

16

I just ordered some because I’ll be doing a lot of traveling in the next few months and want people I meet to have my email address. I included a small picture of myself on it, which may be a bit gigolo-ish but at least makes me memorable. I included my name, email address, and hometown.

17

When between cards, since I pass out so few at those times, I just print some up on my laser printer, on trimmed to size colored file folders. Look strange, but do the job for leaving in restaurant “free lunch drawing” bowls :wink:

18

Thanks everyone for the great advice and stories. I’ll probaby just print up a sheet or two since I can’t see myself using that many. A minimum order of 250 for a professional job is overkill.

You surmised correctly, though the other students I’ve seen using them were on their first go around. I think I might do a more personal one for personal, i.e. non-business, use too.

I don’t know about gigolo-ish, but a few will probably think you are a realtor. It seems to be common practice to add your photo in the real estate industry according to my sister who is a realtor (and has her picture on her cards.)
I aint nearly photogenic enough for that though.

19

What you are looking for is a “social card,” which bears your name and address (and I think you could get away with, à la limite, your phone number and e-mail). But if you’re using it for business purposes, call it a business card and make it look like one.

A woman of my parents’ acquaintance had pseudo-business cards printed up listing her as SOPHIA LASTNAME – Conversationalist.

20

I have personal info cards that I carry, although according to Green Bean’s criteria they aren’t technically “calling cards.” They have my name, home addredd, phone numbers and e-mail address, but nothing about where I work. I use them when I introduce myself to folks who I think may want to get in touch with me. Sometimes, if I’m dealing with a service shop (car dealer, etc.) I give them my card. Fellow students, professors I’m studying under, basically anyone who needs to contact me later outside of work. It’s very handy.