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Post by j2starshine on Oct 25, 2011 15:02:27 GMT -5
Hello Fellow Writers! I had a question about business cards. I'm not sure this is the place to post, but since it could be considered bio, bloggish and boring stuff I chose here Anyways... have any of you guys seen business cards with a person's face on them within the writing community? My husband insists this is the way to go (not that I'm there yet). He has good reasons to think like this because he's traveled A BUNCH, received tons of cards and stuff and thinks it helps people to remember, to literally put a face with a name/business/service/organization/etc.... What are your thoughts? Thanks! j2
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Post by tris on Oct 25, 2011 15:41:35 GMT -5
Go with your husband's suggestion. Doesn't matter what the writing community does because we're all different. Your husband has the business experience and a business card is a marketing tool -- ie. selling you and your product. If you plan on writing lots of books, a pic of you is what your fans will be looking for. Case in point -- Twitter is like an online business card. One of my favorite authors, Mike Stackpole, uses his photo for his Twitter account so his readers make sure we have the right Mike Stackpole.
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Post by j2starshine on Oct 25, 2011 16:14:38 GMT -5
Thanks tris, I appreciate your thoughts on this. I keep forgetting that the writing industry is just like any other type of business and things like business cards, websites, etc are tools like you said and so business advice and tools transcends the different industries to accomplish the same purpose. hmmm...why do I doubt my husband?
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Post by Kessie on Oct 25, 2011 17:36:35 GMT -5
That's really good advice, actually. I'll keep that in mind. Also--use a good photo. Here is a silly advice video on what kinds of Facebook photos to not use. :-) www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUvLZeDgU-c
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Post by j2starshine on Oct 25, 2011 19:54:48 GMT -5
Thanks Kessie, I think my husband will be pleasantly surprised in my change of thought now...how to be creative yet professional...
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Post by tris on Oct 25, 2011 19:55:41 GMT -5
j2starshine, We doubt our husbands because our culture (and unfortunately sometimes our churches) teaches us to do so all in the name of female empowerment. I have learned through 30 years of marriage to listen to what my husband says. He's my number one fan, my spiritual adviser and I always, always, always get compliments when he picks my clothes!
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Post by j2starshine on Oct 25, 2011 20:06:13 GMT -5
;D I am right there with you. When it comes to clothes, I'm more about comfort, and he's concerned about appearance. Actually, I was thinking he might not understand the publishing industry because he's not seeking after it, reading about, that kind of thing, but business is business... we shall see what he comes up with...down the road that is.
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Post by beckyminor on Oct 25, 2011 21:00:28 GMT -5
Hey j2s...the conference classes I've taken on marketing suggest you should put your face on your biz card so the agent or editor who takes it will be able to remember you from the appointment. However...not all of them take cards, or anything hard copy for that matter.
If you have a good photo, it can't hurt to use it. If you don't have a really good photo, I'd recommend making sure your business card, one sheet, author bio, are all eye catching in some other slick and genre appropriate way. I think the cards and other materials looking professional is the first order of business.
And I am a big proponent of getting a head shot done by a pro if you can. It's not cheap, but it's a worthwhile investment.
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Post by j2starshine on Oct 27, 2011 10:40:20 GMT -5
Thanks Becky, I agree. I'll see what it costs and save up my pennies. I'm not quite sure what would be genre appropriate for fantasy... I think in speculative fiction we run the risk of looking a little.... amateurish?? when it comes to book covers, websites, letter headers, etc....good thing I got my husband who grounds me. i guess...when it doubt err on the side of professionalism....
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Post by beckyminor on Oct 27, 2011 19:12:27 GMT -5
Yeah, we can run into a lot of gaudy, hokey, awful stuff in Spec Fic. Better to err on the side of clean than to go overboard in the whimsical fonts and cheesy clip art.
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Post by newburydave on Nov 12, 2011 16:08:36 GMT -5
My pic is on my business card, it's the rest of the info that I'm questioning at this point.
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Post by j2starshine on Nov 12, 2011 18:27:07 GMT -5
What do you mean newburydave? like contact info? or short blurb about you and what you write? I've thought of just using my website info on it. What else would you think would be good to include?
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Post by beckyminor on Nov 20, 2011 19:44:15 GMT -5
I think name, genre, and contact info is paramount. Your address is apparently not terribly necessary these days. If it's any help, this is what I have been using for a business card at conferences, and it's gotten a pretty favorable response.
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Post by pixydust on Nov 25, 2011 21:20:44 GMT -5
Mine is similar to Becky's. As an artist I use my art on my cards instead of a picture of myself and make sure my email, phone, and website is on there. I do make a stack usually that ONLY has my website and name on them--this will be for things like ComiCon or WFC where it's more to promote than to network. I keep it simple and print them out on my home printer (as needed) in case my info changes.
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Post by j2starshine on Dec 2, 2011 20:24:43 GMT -5
Wow, cool, thanks pixydust and becky for showing your examples. I like the idea of having my art on there. It would be a good place to start since I'm not in a place to get my picture taken professionally yet. All in good time. Thanks
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