You are an up and coming screenwriter. You’re wheeling and dealing, making contacts and pitching every story in your repertoire. However, for some reason, no one is calling you back. Do you know why?  It’s because of that freebie business card you ordered off of a discount business card shop online. That’s the reason no one has offered you six figures. Okay, I’m kidding. That is not why they are avoiding you, but what if it were?

Why are you, a creative writer that pushes a villain off a building only to send the hero out after the schmuck giving out dull business cards that make no statement? 

Never hand over anything to anyone without putting your creative stamp on it.

“I don’t have any graphics experience.” So what, I say to you.  All you need is a white card and a little brain grease to make a statement.

As mentioned in an earlier post, Joan and Lydia Wilen, authors of “How to Sell Your Screenplay”, have their own solution for creating business cards that make a statement. That chapter inspired me to create my own business card that leaves a tone or a sense of who I am with the person who takes it. You can do that too.

For the photoshop inclined, the sky is the limit with what you can do, because places like vistaprint.com will allow you to upload your own graphic for a small fee. But if you are the stick figure type (as most of us are), be a minimalist.

The above card is minimal, humorous and makes them remember you.

If you will notice, I did not include the contact information on the front. There’s a good reason for this.  You want the highest impact possible. Placing contact information on the back the card allows you to make a statement on the front and makes it easy to change your address later.

If your address changes or if you get an agent, you can use stick on labels to add the information without mucking up the creative message of your card. I use labels with regularity because I don’t want every card I give out to contain my manager’s contact information. Note: online business card companies may charge extra for back printing. 

Here’s another example, but a bit more serious:

The above example makes it self-evident that you are a screenwriter on the front side, and the back of the card has everything they need to get in touch with you.

Lastly, I’ll include my card. I have some graphics training as a former prop master, so I chose to mangle a royalty free graphic to suit my needs.  I get a chuckle every time I hand it over. Making people laugh lets people know you’re funny and funny sells.

Take a risk. Everything you send out should reflect your voice. Never assume a business card is just for giving out banal contact information. 

A business card is an extension of you.

For more brainstorming ideas, view these unique and sometimes peculiar business card choices. You don’t have to be this elaborate, but if an idea strikes you and your wallet can stand the heat, go for it.

You only get one first impression.

And because you only get one first impression, let me echo an important point a fellow twitter user (@UncompletedWork) made about business cards.

Don't give a humorous card to someone when something more somber is better suited for the situation. There are perfectly reasonable situations where a standard business card will do the job.   I'm guessing my card wouldn't go over so well at Fox News because they have no sense of humor.  Just kidding people, no hate mail please.

Business Card Printers Online:

VistaPrint, 123Print.com, Moo Cards