Note from Editor: I wrote this article several months ago and I am really proud of it. But I was recently reminded of a video interview with a man who knows way more than I do about business cards. Check it out and if you have not already seen my article, please check it out.
This business card screams magician! How excited was Luke we he got these printed at the local Kinkos. I see too often magicians who have horrible business cards. They don’t think outside the box.
Make your business card a statement of yourself. Now if Magic Luke only does kid show, then he hit the nail on the head. I went over to his website and saw that he performs magic for all occasions. Apparently this guy is great for adult parties, weddings, close up and other occasions. Where does this card say adult party? Maybe if you look at those balloons in a perverted way?
Magic is not my only hobby. I also do graphic design. Over the years I have made dozens of websites, business cards, flyers, and posters for magicians. Here are a few magicians business cards with examples of things I always avoid when creating a design.
Look at the two outside business cards. They both have top hats and wands. Because that’s what people think of when you say magician. I am willing to bet these are stock image cards that are preset where you fill in your information and you get 100 of these for a very cheap price. Especially the far right, since the email address is youremail@magician.com.
Avoid stock image and preset business cards. Unless you are the magician who goes to the magic shop buys a trick and does not even change the patter that the trick is sold with. You change magic to fit your personality and your business card should do the same thing.
The middle card is a great example of too much. He is trying to list all the events we will perform at. At a point it is just easier to list what you wouldn’t do. Your business card is not meant to sell them the idea of hiring you. Remember when you handout your business card out, You Will Be There. You can tell them all the gigs you will do. Don’t make your business card speak for you. Even if you just leave a stack of business cards around for people to take, put your website address on it, that’s all. All the information you want to tell them will be there, not on a tiny 2 inch by 3 inch card.
The other thing that all three of these business cards do is say the words magician. Do not limit your customer base by calling yourself a magician. Just face it there are people out there who have a preset image in their mind of what a magician is. Top hat, cane, and cape. Avoid that word and just call yourself an entertainer, because that’s what you are. Entertainers will be hired by corporations, foundations, schools, and private parties. Magicians get hired for a 5 year olds birthday party.