Got my business cards

Charlie Mike said:
Lemme get this straight... you could sell a kiridashie similar to this (WIP pic) for $700?

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No, but I wouldn't make one like that, either.
My point is that good business follows certain rules: be professional, be honest, always look for improvements in product and profit, don't alienate customers, and conform.
You seem like a nice guy with a lot of enthusiasm, but you need to lose the biker-type attitude and understand that the world works a certain way. Being a nonconformist works against you. I tell gang members this all the time- join the big gang-the world. There are lots of ways to maintain your individuality without putting people off.
 
BTW- this one sold for $700.

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This one for $1300.

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Why limit yourself? Perhaps one day you could do better, and make more money. Start off right!
 
Ah the spice of life. Whatever makes you happy man. Lot of good advice here but you do what makes you sleep easy at night. Its about being happy right?

No one but you pays for your steel and the tools in your hand so you do what feels good and smile at all the helpful folks. They really do mean to help even if it comes off otherwise
 
Absolutely! And I don't mean to come off as an ass. I would hope to be an inspiration in some small manner.
 
Thanks for the help. I adhere to all but one of the points you listed but that last one. I'll let my knives speak for themselves. FTW all the way.
 
Charlie Mike,
A lot of the advise on this thread comes from those who have been selling knives as a business.
Business cards say to us, and others, that you want to do it as a business,too.
Running a business, even a small knife hobby business, is a lot about dealing with the public.
I think that you need to ratchet your image back a bit and start making better knives if you want to do this for a long term.
You already know I am not a fan of your knives, but that is OK, as I am not buying them. I will say that most makers get a good product first, and good business cards second.
I am reminded of pimpinsquee (J.McDonnald Knives) who got his cards made, blade stamps, logos designed,registered his trademark, and formed a corporation....and never make more than one knife.

There are two ways to get well know in this business
Make a first rate knife.
Make a fool of yourself.

Sam is the only person I know who has done both :)



As moderator,
as long as this stays clean, I am not going to lock or move it. Keep the comments and advise family friendly.
Thanks
 
I think someone that doesnt know of charlie mike most likely wouldnt immediately associate the smoke on the business card to marijuana usage.

I agree with Stacy, this is a cart before the horse situation.
Work on making your knives look better before you try to market them to a mass audience.

Congratulations on finding someone who wants to pay $70 for that. Personally, I would struggle to part with $7 for that. To each his own.
 
FTO_dude said:
I think someone that doesnt know of charlie mike most likely wouldnt immediately associate the smoke on the business card to marijuana usage.
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When you have "420" in your email address you don't even need the smoke to make that assumption.
 
Some great advise in this thread, but I think that Stacy nailed it with this post.

bladsmth said:
A lot of the advise on this thread comes from those who have been selling knives as a business.
Business cards say to us, and others, that you want to do it as a business,too.
Running a business, even a small knife hobby business, is a lot about dealing with the public.
I think that you need to ratchet your image back a bit and start making better knives if you want to do this for a long term.
You already know I am not a fan of your knives, but that is OK, as I am not buying them. I will say that most makers get a good product first, and good business cards second.

There are two ways to get well know in this business
Make a first rate knife.
Make a fool of yourself.
Click to expand...

I also think that Nick echoed my thoughts when he said:
NickWheeler said:
Seems like the cart has gotten ahead of your horse.
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Not really my place to interject opinions about the "pot smoking, conspiracy theorist, wiccan" stuff... if that's where you're coming from, it is what it is. But I will say, based on the body of knife work that I've seen from you (both here and on the bali sub-forum), that business cards may indeed be putting the cart in front of the horse. You appear to have the enthusiasm and drive to make knives... but need to work on developing the skill-set to pull it off. Keep working on your grinding... learn more about your steels and heat treats... take care of the basics of knifemaking before worrying about sales and business cards.

I would definitely like to give you kudos on your attitude throughout this thread. You've handled all of the (sometimes negative) feedback and (hopefully constructive) criticism with cool attitude and a level head. I wish you the best in your continued improvement. :thumbup:

Erin
 
Just one thought on the F.T.W. mark you're using...
How about arranging the letters into a sigil?
You could play around with fonts and arangement to make something which would look quite nice as a maker's mark.:)
You could even experiment with different alphabets to get the perfect look.
Be true to what you feel, but find ways to make it look its best.
 
stabman said:
Just one thought on the F.T.W. mark you're using...
How about arranging the letters into a sigil?
You could play around with fonts and arangement to make something which would look quite nice as a maker's mark.:)
You could even experiment with different alphabets to get the perfect look.
Be true to what you feel, but find ways to make it look its best.
Click to expand...

That's a very cool idea. The bolded part is what I'm all about.
 
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