HockeyFan12 Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 I have neither and should get both. I originally planned to start a production company, now I want to look for work (full time, ideally) in post at ad agencies. The freelance grind has worn me down. I'm cutting a reel now, or at least culling material but I have a good idea of what I'm doing with the reel and someone more accomplished has generously offered to give me advice on what my level of client wants to see. I want to keep everything else minimal. Home page is reel and contact info. Only three pages. "CV" "Blog" and then just a promotional blog with news and stuff and ideas, stuff clients might want to see that's more specific than the reel and old reels, but also fluff pieces and essays. I want this website to look SIMPLE. Gray on gray. Or blue on gray or something. I am a tech idiot and don't know how to write HTML since I was in middle school. I hear Wordpress is good? How does this work? I just want the simplest theme but I want it to feel customized. For business cards, I've never had them (except at summer job once). I don't use Linked In or FaceBook for work, or have much presence online. Should I get business cards or focus on online? Thanks. sanveer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcs Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Wordpress and the default theme will work, however Wordpress IMO is a bit of a mess (I'm a long time developer (C/C++/OBJC desktop, embedded, and iOS (+ Android NDK (C++)). I've successfully avoided web development because all the tools are a mess: HTML, CSS, Javascript (HTML5), PHP etc.). Additionally C/C++/OBJC is more profitable. I built our websites with Wordpress and a bunch of plugins, but would much prefer something else. Unfortunately, for quick development without having to write web code, it's currently the least bad of all the options (jQuery, bootstrap, angular.js and sass are OK, but they're for writing code, not WYSIWYG). You could try something like http://www.wix.com which would work for a basic site with no coding, especially if you start with a template close to what you want. Honestly business cards are a waste of time, money, and paper. As a vendor it's best to collect emails, and when you meet people you want to connect with, get their email and/or phone number, then follow up. I've gotten work from LinkedIn (tech), so it's worthwhile. In LA especially, film work really requires face-to-face networking in addition to an online presence to show your work. webrunner5 and jonpais 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webrunner5 Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Yeah Wix is pretty hard to beat I will say that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TARS Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 If you do decide to go the Wordpress route, there's a good beginner's course on Lynda.com that will walk you through the entire process. Lynda has agreements with a lot of public libraries where you can sign in with your library card number and don't have to pay the monthly membership fee. Check to see if that's the case for your local library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotchtape Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Wix's thing is to make it as easy as possible. Hard to go wrong with them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HockeyFan12 Posted April 10, 2017 Author Share Posted April 10, 2017 Thanks everyone, really helpful. I think I'll go with Wordpress or Wix and skip the business cards. I don't run a company, it's just an attempt to have more web presence and a better way to present a reel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy Jones Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 51 minutes ago, jcs said: Honestly business cards are a waste of time, money, and paper. I'll be in NAB in a couple weeks. I'll meet a boatload of people. Everyone of them will hand me their business card and expect mine in return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassius McGowan Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 1 hour ago, jcs said: Wordpress and the default theme will work, however Wordpress IMO is a bit of a mess (I'm a long time developer (C/C++/OBJC desktop, embedded, and iOS (+ Android NDK (C++)). I've successfully avoided web development because all the tools are a mess: HTML, CSS, Javascript (HTML5), PHP etc.). Additionally C/C++/OBJC is more profitable. I built our websites with Wordpress and a bunch of plugins, but would much prefer something else. Unfortunately, for quick development without having to write web code, it's currently the least bad of all the options (jQuery, bootstrap, angular.js and sass are OK, but they're for writing code, not WYSIWYG). You could try something like http://www.wix.com which would work for a basic site with no coding, especially if you start with a template close to what you want. Honestly business cards are a waste of time, money, and paper. As a vendor it's best to collect emails, and when you meet people you want to connect with, get their email and/or phone number, then follow up. I've gotten work from LinkedIn (tech), so it's worthwhile. In LA especially, film work really requires face-to-face networking in addition to an online presence to show your work. Wouldn't that be a good reason to give someone a card with you're info on it so they don't have to write or type down all of that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzynormal Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Eh, I just set up a page on VimeoPro. It's a simple template thing that shows a collection of clips and allows you to list contact info. Basic and clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkyou86 Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 If you don't know HTML, you won't know how to handle wordpress. WIX is okay if you're not into coding, otherwise, get a 15USD html template from themeforest.net, you only have to replace the (placeholder) texts. sanveer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Sewell Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Quote I'll be in NAB in a couple weeks. I'll meet a boatload of people. Everyone of them will hand me their business card and expect mine in return. This. It's quicker, easier and much more professional if - when you meet someone with whom you wish to develop a business relationship - you can hand them a neat, simple card with all of your contact details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcs Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 4 hours ago, Jonesy Jones said: I'll be in NAB in a couple weeks. I'll meet a boatload of people. Everyone of them will hand me their business card and expect mine in return. I used to do that too, and still bring business cards and give and receive as needed. However, I've found that follow-ups happen more often when email/phone is traded right into phones vs cards. What we need is an instant contact app (for iOS and Android), where you can instantly trade contact info (found one based on QR codes, figured they're be more: https://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/01/23/5-mobile-apps-that-could-kill-business-cards/#.tnw_7W40fa1m . Why'd google acquire and close down Bump, then provide no replacement?). @Cassius McGowan if both parties in a hurry, sure cards are fine, however cards get lost, and both parties know the other is serious when typing directly into their phones. Another thing we do is write a little note in the phone contact which is also helpful later on. Again, when attending a show as a vendor, capturing emails via iPad etc. is immensely helpful and a time saver not having to go through all the cards later and type everything in. Having a raffle or drawing can also be helpful for engagement. I went to a trade show today and collected cards from vendors and used them to help write up a blog post. This is different than doing deals in the tech world, however- either it happens fast with email/phone right away or not at all has been my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylee Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 rounded corners... spot uv... dope die cut? foil? so many options lol as an artist you should have an awesome business card~! make that card the best one in someones pocket at the end of NAB. great chance to be creative, and yes more expensive cards that are well designed are totally worth the money heres some #inspo http://www.viralnova.com/cool-business-cards/ tumblr can do all the stuff you want, consider that too. tons of highly customizable free themes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcs Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 @kaylee wouldn't the card for a filmmaker be a reel SD card? kaylee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylee Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 16 hours ago, jcs said: @kaylee wouldn't the card for a filmmaker be a reel SD card? yeah thats a good idea~! frankly jcs, i agree with you that not having business cards forces more meaningful interaction, ive definitely come to the same conclusion in fact when asked if i have a card ive been known to say, "Oh Im fresh out right now, do you want my number?" which turns into me saying, "Whats your number? ill text you so you can save it" ? im trynna come up in this game fam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcs Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 @kaylee right on, then you're closer to closin' kaylee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylee Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 omg you guys look what i found ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcs Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Cross out One write in Weapon 8K and you're in biz (what archeological dig site was that found, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe ? ) kaylee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronFilm Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Any one had luck ordering business cards from Aliexpress and have tips to offer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinegain Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 I had designed my business cards myself like two and a half years ago (QR codes on them as well), just before an event where you indeed were expected to trade cards like a Pokémon trainer... then went to the local copy shop to figure out how to print 'em on good quality paper. It was great to have their expertise and I could actually convey what I was going for, try that with the language barrier with Chinese reps. Not to mention you wouldn't quite know the quality and results. And I've been turning to AliExpress and Chinese webshops for years (btw, snagged a YI 4K+ during the last AE sale, curious about that one!), but sometimes you're looking to save a few pennies in the wrong areas. My 2cts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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