business cards

[DarlingNikki]

I feel silly asking, but... do writers have them? Do you have them? What do they say?

 

[raphy]

If I was a writer, I'm sure I'd have one, although I doubt it would say anything much. Just my name, and my phone number. I kinda like that simplicity.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Hi again, Nikki. I have them from work and they contain everyway to get hold of me that one expects on such. I give them out to non-related work persons too as they're convenient. When one of my brothers lived in Japan he had cards (one side in Japanese, the other in English); everyone there has such cards (housewives, schoo kids, etc.). I think it's a fine idea, like 'calling cards' of old.

An artist (painter) friend of mine has business-card size reproductions of her work with her name and info on the back.

Perdita

 

[sailorm72003]

I only have and use company cards. They have the standard contact information, name, phone, fax & email.

I use them as bookmarks a lot, as well.

Sailor

 

[Icingsugar]

Yup. I do.

Really stylish shit. They have a small print saying "Jornalist & Författare" (Journalist & Author, which is somewhat an exagerration, but almost true), and pretty much nothing else.

I ordered them on a whim, and I never took them out of the box they came in.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Pierce, yes, true. My brother lived in Tokyo nearly 18 years, lots of ceremony in Japan. However, he used his ugly-Americaness when it suited him. The Japanese work six days a week and long hours (the salarymen). Right off my brother let them know he would not do this. Of course his employers did not take this well, at first, then my brother simply posed as 'the American' and he was excused. No one thought (or at least expressed it) the less of him from then on.

Perdita

 

[Quasimodem]

I got two sets, until I gave up my photography sideline.

One was an obvious business card, a logo, Office Address, Business & Residential numbers, the works.

My advice: Suppress as much of the home contacts as possible, or you will NEVER get away from the office, even at 2AM Sunday.

The card I devised for my Photography Business was embossed yellow on brown stock, with lots of empty space. It had my name, the words "Professional Photographer" (which became true each time I got paid) and a number attached to an answering machine.

I had just got a new dose of cards before I finally decided to give it up. Now I hand them to anybody I would normally give my home number, rather than trying to shout it over the noise of the band.

If they are a nuisance, just wipe the message, if not, call back.

When they reach the level of a true friend, I give them my private number, which can reach me in real time.

Oh! Do you mean a fiction writer?

If I were a REAL writer instead of a promotional hack, I would not have a business card. I would have an agent.

 

[Quasimodem]

Double Damn!.

.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Yes. They're a convenient and professional method of handing out accurate information (no, it's killer k-i-l- yeah, killer spelled just like it sounds). Name, title, email address, phone number, and a snippet of a line that seems to sum up the author. I don't use them very often so I don't have tons and tons of them, but they're good when it's necessary to mingle or hobnob or whatever you call it. Not to mention they're something to drop in Carlos O'Kelley's free lunch jar.

 

[Quasimodem]

If you live in the midst of a hotbed of the publishing trade, or take frequent visits to one, that is undoubtedly be true.

If your address is:

Under 2 klicks to the Sticks.

You will probably not run through them with any rapidity.

 

[MathGirl]

I feel silly asking,

Dear DN,
That's certainly an unusual and laudable bit of self awareness which is seldom seen around here.
MG

 

[Guest]

 

[oggbashan]

I don't need a business card.

The royal headsman following five paces behind me decapitates anyone who doesn't bow low enough.

Og

 

[pop_54]

Hmmmmmmm

Just one set for work/business, Name, address, business, phone number etc, oh and a posh little logo.

If I were a writer by trade, I'd probably have some printed to advertise my written wears.

They are a nice polite way of introducing yourself without imposing on people, 'Hi my card', better than following someone about for 10 minutes trying to tell them who you are and getting on their bloody nerves.

pops..............

 

[Icingsugar]

I don't need a business card.

The royal headsman following five paces behind me decapitates anyone who doesn't bow low enough.

Og

Ya, that should do the trick. Ever planning a state visit over here? Should I be practicing my grovellin'?

 

[DarlingNikki]

Thanks everyone. I love the potpourri of responses one gets around here.

My boyfriend finally ordered cards for himself (he's a photographer) and, typical of the newly converted, is trying to get me to order some too. I figure that since I haven't had anything accepted by a publication that turns anything down I am not there yet, but then I realized I didn't even know if I would ever be in a position to get some... I guess the answer is I can do whatever I want.

I think I will order cards to celebrate my first published work.

 

[oggbashan]

Ya, that should do the trick. Ever planning a state visit over here? Should I be practicing my grovellin'?

Grovelling isn't usually necessary. The royal cavalry clears the streets before I approach so they should give sufficient warning to anyone who doesn't wish to bow. If I was alive today I think my cavalry would use tanks. That might make a sufficient impression especially if I want to go shopping. Should get the attention of the shop assistants when a tank crashes through their store window.

"Heavy Armour? That'll do nicely."

Og

 

[Guest]

 

[sweetjulia]

my real life Dom uses a card with his "lifestyle" name and an email address which He hands out at meet and greet funtions.

 

[MNGuy]

My real ones, mostly end up in bar fishbowls or as bookmarks.
I use my networking ones for job hunting.

 

[sweetjulia]

you know in the "old days" people , ladies in particular, had calling cards. they were simply their name usually (if they were well enough known in society that was all that was needed and would seem as tho they were unimportant were they to include info) and they would go "calling" in the afternoons, many homes were open to callers every day others were only open on certain days. the ladies would leave their cards in a basket in the foyer so the hostess could return the call when the caller had her "at home" day.

sorry to be a boring person throwing out trivial info but i thought it interesting

julia

(doesn't know how to put cute sayings and quotes on her comments yet)