As romance writers prepare for the annual RWA Conference, conversation naturally turns to business cards. What’s the best business card advice for a new writer who wants to market a book?
Here’s some tips from the business world with a little dash of creativity for the writer.
- Brainstorm your tagline or the theme of the books you’re writing. What holds them together? Are you writing about cowboys? Vampires? What makes you stand out? Why are you unique? That will help you when it comes to designing the “look and feel” of your business card. For example, if your books all take place in Hawaii, you might put a picture of a lei or a pineapple on your card.
- Add information so people can find you. You have to make privacy decisions about what contact data you want to give out, but the purpose of the business card is to help people find you, so don’t skimp! Consider your email address, phone number(s), address.
- Definitely put your web site on the card. (You do have a web site, don’t you?)
- Gloss if you must – but only on the front of the card. Leave the back un-glossed so people can write on it.
Speaking of the back, someone in the RWAPro group had a great idea–put a small picture on the back with the words “Met at…” on the back. It will encourage important people (editors and agents) to remember you while you are marketing your book.
Where do you get them made? Many people are happy with Vistaprint. You can also check out your local print shops if you want your shopping dollars to stay in your community.
One last thought.
In Japan handing someone your business card is a very formal affair. You are giving someone a piece of who you are. When you accept a business card from someone else, give it the honor it deserves. If you said you’d follow up, do so.
In this crazy, busy world, doing what you said you were going to do helps you stand out. And that’s the best business card advice I can give you.
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