Need advice for business cards

I've been putting off getting business cards because I don't have a cell phone and can't afford an added expense. Card holders have tripled in price and that's the added expense. Is it okay just to have web and blog addresses and not have a phone number on a business card? I don't feel comfortable putting my home phone on the cards. Waddyathink?

I think it's okay not to put a phone number these days because so many people use the internet anyway as a contact point. Also when you say card holders, do you mean the plastic devices you put on a desk top or store counter? I have found them at Quill.com for about $3 each. I'm not sure that's what you are referring to.
Hope it's a great weekend,
G

Saundra, if you mean cards referring to your book, putting your phone number on them would take away a needed professional distance. It looks a lot better without your number.

So Saundra use your website instead...Check out this place for cards, they are really professional and reasonable as well: Call 1-800-358-7999 for a catalog or go to:
www.colorfulimages.com

Also Sprint has an inexpensive cell phone plan, its $7.00 per month for their service, nothing free, and each call is .05 cents per minute. Thats a good cheap plan.

I found one ever better with Sprint called the "free and clear" plan. I pay $1.75 cents per month, (YEP, not kidding) All minutes include long distance, 300 anytime minutes, 1000 night and weekend minutes, nights start at 9:00 PM, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, and voicemail. Additional anytime minutes are .45 cents per minute. But I have never gone over the "free minutes" yet. I did buy a cell phone as I had none. But they have all prices there too.

Saundra,
Thought you might like to check this out too...
Free Business Cards. http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.aspx?xnav=top&GP=11%2F17%2F2007+6%3A04%3A27+PM
I had some done, and they were very good. Only drawback is they put their own advertising on the back. But if you don't mind that, I can highly reccommmend their service.

Thank you, ladies. I'm going forward without a phone number on my business cards. Yes, the cards are for my book. Yes, the plastic holders are to hold the cards in the few stores and offices that will accept them. Thanks, mscoach, I'll check out quill.com.

Make sure you put an email address too. Also, consider putting something on the back of the card too.

Yes, put a phone number or don't bother with the cards.

Yes, put only 1 website on the card, the other one should
be on your website for them to click on.

Yes, don't create cards in MS Publisher or MS Word or do them yourself.

Staples can do plain black/white cards 1000 for $25. or so. They're much better than using clip art on cards and they
look professional.

I also use the resources at http://www.TheResourceQueen.com look under graphics. Lots of good resources, from free to low cost - for business cards, logo's etc.

If you use vista print, don't get a picture on it. Most of us know those pictures already and know it's really not your logo. Also pay for the cards, don't order the free ones. Otherwise the back of the card markets vista print and your card doesn't portray "professional".

Only use a domain email address on your card -- no hotmail, netzero, yahoo or aol accounts on it.

I buy card holders at Office Depot or Staples for 99c each.

I put my home phone on my cards for a few years. However, that phone always had a voice message that sounded like they'd reached a business phone.

You don't need a cell phone. Can you get another phone number at home? You can do so w/o getting another phone. I forget what it's called, but you get a phone number that hunts to your home phone. Has a different ring. Last I checked a few years ago it was $15 a month.

And you can get an 800# that hunts/forwards to your home phone too.

Lots of options

MAria, thansk for all the great advice.

One of the things that's so important when beginning a business is not cutting corners when it comes to branding yourself.

Chatty, my cell phone bill is over a hundred dollars. I don't understand how you can get it so cheap. I get sick and tired of feeding the phone companies. Dotsie, what company made the bookmarks for BWS? Saundra, you might consider bookmarks with your book logo on it.

I think it must be a regional offer re: cell phone plans. My area does not have a free and clear plan. The extra fees, like local taxes, sure jack up the bill.

I can send you one of my paid bills or even six if you want to see them. I am really good at research of all kind, especially how to save my money...

You can also cancel your cell and buy one of those cell phones that you pay ahead for the minutes you think you'll need. Quite a few of my writers club friends have those now. YOu only use what you've already paid for (usually $30.00) and when its all used up, you can add more time to the same card. They swear by these cell phones. They sell them at Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart and Walgreens and probably many other places as well.

Or as I said before contact Sprint(www.sprint.com)or 1-888-211-4727, ask them about the Fair & Flexible Plan 200, thats what I have. And see what they say...

Hi Chatty, I did contact Sprint. It seems that in our region I have a low-pay plan, although it does not feel low pay. I have to have at least 700 minutes for real estate. I am very cheap with my minutes! If it is not sprint to sprint, I ask clients if I can call them back, and then I use the main office phone, which does not cost me extra. Hey, a girl's gotta keep her money close for her old age! Thanks for filling me in. L, PL

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. I'm glad I opened an interesting post. I still haven't gotten my cards and only worked 5 days in December because of a new injury.

I'm still planning to get them and they'll go on next year's tax expenses. So will a cell phone if I buy one. Right now I really don't need a cell and can't afford the extra expense.

I have to agree with you. It's important to add a phone number to a business card so clients with know how to reach you. I have both a phone number and our website address on our cards.