One of the MANY changes for me is my business card (name card or calling card). Because I changed addresses and phone numbers, hundreds of my pricey color and glossy cards are now extinct. So these days I'm using a temporary cheapy card as I decide the appearance of my next business card. This is what the front side of my temporary card looks like. The back is blank. (Click on it to see it better.)
Since a new business card is on my mind these days (now and then), that's what I'm blogging about, hoping some of you who read this will have some great suggestions for me and others to use from your own experiences. Also, it's an important topic I don't think we've discussed here yet.
From decades of using cards, I have these random observations:
- Glossy fronts are great, but not glossy backs. They're nearly impossible to write on.
- Books covers make great fronts. They stir up interest and discussion with potential readers.
- Some type fonts and sizes are difficult to read, like my current temporary card above.
- Until now, I've had one card per book (so I could show the covers). But now I want to put all my books on one card. So I'm wondering: what's the best way to do that? Maybe like my temporary card? Or maybe a folded card? Or maybe a bookmark card? If anyone has experiences with the last two, I hope you'll comment.
- So I no longer have to ditch heaps of cards when my contact info changes, I think I'll only include my website and website e-mail address on the card. It's easy to change phone numbers and mailing addresses on websites. Not so on cards. I have before crossed out and written over, but I know that's tacky (although economical)!
Until then, warm summer and rain blessings,
Millie Samuelson
www.milliesbooks.org
Millie's books are available in paperback and inexpensive Kindle from www.Amazon.com:
- Hungry River: A Yangtze River Novel (Dragon River Trilogy Book One)
- Dragon Wall: A Great Wall Novel (Dragon River Trilogy Book Two)
- Women of the Last Supper: "We Were There Too" (new edition releasing this fall)
- Jade Cross: A Stone Ten Keepers Novel (Dragon River Trilogy Book Three, 2013 or 2014)
I'm getting some excellent business card suggestions on Facebook. If you're not my friend there, how about friending me and checking out those suggestions. . .
ReplyDeleteMy FB name: Millie Nelson Samuelson :-)
Hello, Millie~
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting topic! Thank you! I think it's a good idea to have different cards for different purposes. I do that as a storyteller. I have my general card for Sharon Kirk Clifton, Writer and Raconteur, but I have another that's suited to my historical shows. A third shows me in the garb of "Jack's Mama," my Appalachian mountain woman persona for those beloved tales. I'm getting ready to develop a fourth especially for "Stories of Faith and Family," which includes Biblical accounts.
It's important to keep text as brief as possible, also for readability's sake. And, yes, the font is very important.
I use VistaPrint for my cards, and I look for their sales, which are frequent.
A rule we storytellers have is this: Never give away A business; always hand out two or three and encourage the person to give them to others.
As for contact info, I only include my email and blog addresses. That way, I maintain some privacy and they have two ways to contact me.
That's my nickel's worth. Write on!
Because of Christ,
Sharon
WOW, Sharon, THANKS for all the great tips you've shared here! If it's okay with you, I'd like to use some of them when I next blog about business cards -- crediting you, of course. I hope LOTS of HI followers and my FB friends benefit from your comments today. Weekend blessings. . . :-)
Deleteawesome tips. I have been through 2 designs in the past couple of years.
ReplyDeleteVery good things to think on. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Your idea is also nice. But every card has his own quality and features. The Plastic business cards have different kinds and everyone is using for different purpose.
ReplyDeleteGood post. Reminds me I have to revamp my cards - before tomorrow night's book signing.
ReplyDeleteIt is extremely nice to see the greatest details presented in an easy and understanding manner. business cards printing
ReplyDelete