Acting : Tips on Actor Business Card by Felicia Mariah D'Ascanio

When the pic becomes outdated... replace the cards.

I hope you are using a QR Code. I put those on every printed piece -- for my stage plays, for my events. Without a QR Code you look oh so 1993.

I'm oh so pre 93'. What's a QR code?

You see them all the time on products. That square barcode. Quick Response code.

D Marcus, fair point. I really love my picture now. If it's standard to have your headshot on a business card, I should have one on mine. Sean, I will definitely have my email address. But, why not my phone number? LindaAnn, I didn't think to use a QR code... I know that they exist and all, but I didn't know that they were actually being used. I'm a pretty tech-savvy person, and I do have to say that I don't see many QR codes, and when I do, I don't normally scan them. I think for flyers and things of that nature, it may be good to use as to offer a coupon by signing up for a mailing list, etc. but I did a little research, and it looks like QR codes are not as well received as we once hoped they would be: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/qr-codes-dead

I agree with you on the QR code. I rarely see them on actors cards and I never use them when I do. Phone number and email are all I use. I suspect your picture will not be outdated soon. and printing new cards is so inexpensive that isn't something I would think about. You COULD change out your picture cards every six months if you wanted.

What printer do you use? I've gotten my photography business cards done with Moo.com in the past and I love them! They are a little on the more expensive side though.

I owned a business card printing company and printed hundreds of millions for many years so here is my 2 cents worth. The purpose of a business card is to give someone the means to easily contact you in the future. Most business cards have Name, Business Address, Business Phone, Email, and Website. Many also include Cell Phone, Fax, and Head Shot. Very few have the QR code which is kind of not going with the design flow of a business card. Very few have no phone number. It is not usually a good thing to put your home address on a business card for all the obvious reasons, but not putting your phone number on your card defeats the primary purpose of the card. So here are some solutions. Felicia, you asked what printer do you use to D Marcus when they said to change your cards every six months because you used Moo for your cards. I know moo, they charge hundreds of dollars for an order. The wholesale price for 1,000 cards printed full color on both sides is now $12.00, and most retail prices go from $20 to $70. Moo does very distinctive and unique cards and they are really nice people. I think they are can help you stand out in a crowd. So here are my thoughts, As an Actor always have at least two sets of cards, one for situations where you will meet lots of new people with your head shot, phone, email, and website. If you can put something witty or beautiful on the back of the card that helps to make you stand out do that also. Moo can print something different on the back of every card. They print digital which gives them that ability but most business card printers can print digitally and offset so if you prepare your files correctly you can get that service from almost anyone. For people who you know something about in actual business or friend relationships you can print cards with more or less personal information like your cell number and your business address. You also do not need to put your picture on cards where the person you are dealing with knows who you are. Some people think that is overkill. At $12 to $50 you can have business cards for different purposeses but when they are hundreds of dollars per order you might have to think about it. Hope this Helps, Best

I have found that high quality color cards cost about $100 per 500. If an actor is handing out 3 per day (20/wk) that's about 6 months worth. Or about $4 per week. Less than one coffee at Starbucks. Even if you double that to 40 cards per week (5 per day) an actor is spending about $8 per week on marketing. Make your own coffee twice a week and you're paying for this important aspect of marketing yourself.

DO NOT print your email address on your card. Put your name and website on it only, name more prominent. Leave the back blank, that way you can write your email address for those you want to have it. Your website will list your agent and agent's contact, which is how anyone in the business should reach you. You do not want anyone wanting to hire you to bypass your agent. S/He is your buffer and advocate negotiator. Remember. These are your business cards, not your personal cards. Treat them as such.

Can you elaborate, Sidney? Why not print your email on your cards?

As an actor, you should be represented by an agent. That person(s) is your buffer and advocate. They make sure you get submitted for auditions or direct hire and, when hired, negotiate fees, communicate scheduling, handle questionable situations, and make sure you get paid what you are supposed to get paid. If a questionable situation arises on set, you contact your agent and that person screams and yells for you. If a commercial runs one day longer than agreed upon, or in a market not previously paid for, your agent goes after the producers to demand the necessary compensation for you. In other words, that person handles all the dirty work for you so that you can keep your reputation clean. That person will also have information you don't and can handle things quickly while you're off working on another project. They make sure you don't get short changed or otherwise taken advantage of. In this business, unlike most other businesses, you do not want prospects contacting you directly; you want them to go through your agent. It's why you pay them their fair percentage. So, in most cases, you only give out your website address which, in your resume, will list your representation, your agent, and no other contact. If you change agents, which happens, you only need to change your resume, not your headshots, postcards, or business cards. However, by leaving the back of the card blank, you can give your professional or personal email address to those people you do want to have it. Not everyone. Go to IMDbpro and check out the contact information for any name you know. Who is listed? Their agent. In some cases, their manager, too. But most of us don't need a manager. Also, avoid CR codes and sayings. You want people to remember you, your character, your face and your name, not that they don't have an app to read the funny square or a saying they thought was silly but you thought was great. You are your business. You want them to remember you.

So for an actor who doesn't yet have an agent (yes they should but many don't when they are starting) what contact info should they put on their cards?

In that case, they use what they have while they get an agent.

Joseph, thank you for such a thorough response. It's helpful to get an idea from the eyes of someone in the business. Sidney, A lot of great points as well!! Awesome advice for some really professional cards. Unfortunately, at the moment, I do not have any representation. So, hopefully I will and will have a good reason to update my cards :)