Promoting Your Services: Buy Business Cards
March 10, 2006 by John Hewitt
For any independent business person, the need for a business card is obvious. I am always shocked by how many professional writers don’t have business cards. This is a very basic step in the process of looking for jobs or assignments and it is not expensive.
Whether you are an editor, proofreader, copywriter, technical writer or a fiction writer, giving out your business card can often mean the difference between being remembered or forgotten. It is the easiest way to pass on the information most vital to remembering you and contacting you.
Use both sides of the card. The front side should contain traditional details such as your name, services and contact information. The back side should contain a mini-resume with a short list of your experience and skills. This method allows you to pack a little more data onto your card without it getting cramped. It will set your card apart from others in a good way. Information helps people make decisions. Provide the information your potential client needs.
Other than that, don’t go crazy with your business card. Don’t call your services by a cute name and don’t use a fancy font that no one can read. Use black or gold ink on white or beige cardstock. You want your card to look professional. No matter how creative your work is, writing and editing assignments are business deals. Make sure that your potential client feels comfortable doing business with you.
Finally, if you work in dramatically different areas, such as technical writing and fiction editing, you’ll want a different card for each area you work in. You want your potential clients to think you are exactly what they are looking for. The more they read about things other than what they want, the less suitable you will seem for the job or assignment.
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Contact John Hewitt
Writing Content and Web Consulting
Email: hewitt@poewar.comPhone: (520) 261-6104
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John, absolutely excellent advice! I’m continually telling writers, regardless of their level or area of expertise to invest in business cards. I do like your tip for having a different card for writers who write in different areas, such as fiction or non-fiction freelance. I’m glad I stopped by.
Look into staples, you can get a good amount of cards for less then 20 dollars if you don’t need any frills.
Thanks for the great advice! I appreciate it!
Business cards are an essential marketing tool as well as an easy way to share your resume (like you said above) wherever you go.
You also need to have a good introduction to go along with your business card so that you can make a good impression – try to practice in front of a mirror so that it comes across perfectly.
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Using the reverse side of the card is often missed.
I have two versions of my card. One for customers and one for prospects.
The customer card has a referral offer giving money of to someone they hand the card too.
The prospect card has a promotion for a free report online or available by post.
The other little trick someone told me was to hand the card reverse side up so you make sure people see your offer/message.
I really hate when someone asks me for my card and I don’t have one. I have gotten the free ones that you see online, and I have made my own. Currently, I use the former, with the card being designed by a graphic designer. I usually pump out about 10- 20 of them a week. This also makes updating the cards easy. I still have several thousand with an old email and phone number.
Great post, very informative to people specially newbies like me