Business Cards that Count

Business Cards that Count

by Sue Viders

To have a business card or not to have one--that is the question writers going to RWA National have been debating the past week on the web.

"I had some cards made up for last year's convention and I never gave out a single one."

"Does anybody even use business cards anymore?"

"What does a writer, especially a non-published writer, put on a card?"

As a marketing consultant, I cringe when I hear these comments. Yes, Virginia, business cards are still used. On my last visit to New York, I noticed that in every editor's office I happened to be in, they ALL had desktop rolodexes by their phones and, from the looks of the cards, were well used.

"What?" you ask? Doesn't everyone use their computers to keep their phone numbers current and up-to-date?

No. Computers go down. Computers are in other operations. Or even being used by others in the office.

But I digress. This was supposed to be an article on business cards, not on Rolodex cards.

Ah, but both are marketing tools that writers need to have and use.

Business cards should be given out to everyone. Period. No exceptions. The problem is how to keep that person from throwing it away. SOLUTION: Take a few minutes to write something personal on the back of the card: another phone number, an idea, where to buy that special something that only you knew about.

Rolodex cards are terrific to send to anyone who needs to get back to you, such as editors, secretaries, program directors, and other writers.

What information should be on the card?

**The most important piece of information on the cards should be . . .ta dah--no, it's not your name! It is your phone number and your e-mail address. After all, that is what the card is all about: showing another person how to reach you.

**The second piece of information is. . . No, once again it is not your name, but what it is that you write (or if you are a teacher - what you do). Well, you say, I'm a writer. Really! Big deal. What kind of a writer. Romance? Yes! Really, with a skeptical look. Contemporary, historical, soft and sweet, or hot and sexy? But I write all of the above you say. Ah, perhaps that is why you are not published yet.

**In marketing yourself, learn to be a big frog in a little pond. Find your niche, your focus. Stay with it until you are famous. Then you can do anything you want to do. I know some writers that have several business cards, one for each genre.

**The third piece of information you can add is, at last, your name.

Some other thoughts about cards:

**Keep your cards clean looking. Less is better
**Your phone number and/or e-mail should be large and easy to read. I don't know why it is, but most writers, put their phone number last and in tiny print. Editors read a lot. Usually they wear glasses. Make the information on how to reach you, big and bold. Make it user friendly.
**Use only one font on your card. A simple font. No Script, no Old English (historical writers love to do this) because they are harder to read.
** And please, no ink bottles with quills. In fact no illustrations at all, unless, of course, you are an illustrator.

However with all of this in mind, if you are not comfortable handing out your cards, don't get any. But if you, like me, have a bit of ham in your writing system, by all means go for them and use them daily. Remember a business card a day will result in sales.

Sue Viders is the co-author along with Tami D. Cowden and Caro LaFever of The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines, and author of numerous columns, articles and books on marketing.