Business Cards at Writers Convention?

[Mike Martyn]

I'm attending the Surrey International Writers Convention at the end of October. Should I hand out business cards and, if so, what should they say? ie

Michael J. Martyn, Writer
Phone # address, e-mail etc.

Any thoughts about what to put on the cards and how to use them?

[maestrowork]

What kind of writer? Freelance? Non-fiction? Fiction? Columnist? Do you have books out -- it'd be good to list your books, like "Michael Martyn -- author of "How to Eat An Eel in 5 Seconds"...

;)

[Ella]

Business cards are a great idea. You'll always meet cool and intersting people you want to stay in touch with.
On the business end, if you are an aspiring writer, you could put a synopsis of your current project on the back of the card. I've seen this done, and it's a great little intro if you happen to talk to an editor/agent/publisher. If you have published work, put all of the relevant info on it.

*edited becuz I'm a dumbass*

[Mike Martyn]

What kind of writer? Freelance? Non-fiction? Fiction? Columnist? Do you have books out -- it'd be good to list your books, like "Michael Martyn -- author of "How to Eat An Eel in 5 Seconds"...

;)

Fiction but I uh, um haven't published anything (Yet).

[Christine N.]

Mine have a nice fantasy type picture (Printshop) on one side and say "Christine Norris, Young Adult Fantasy Author, Author of blah blah blah (ISBN, publisher blah,) publisher's site, my site, my e-mail

I was going to put my phone number, but it didn't fit. I figure I can always write it on the back for interested parties. I would just put it like that, make sure you don't just write "fiction author" but put what genre and age level if appropriate.

[azbikergirl]

I've read that some agents and editors consider it pompous to put "author" beside your name, esp. if you haven't published.

I'd go with just name, phone number and email addy (and URL if you have a web site) and leave off the title. But maybe I'm the one who wouldn't be remembered :)

[James D. Macdonald]

My business cards are standard size, plain white, my name, centered, in a nice engraved serif font, address in and phone number in a smaller sans-serif font in the lower left.

You write a brief note about what you talked about on the back of the card (or what you intend to talk about in the future) when you get someone's card. Stick it in your breast pocket, and after you get home sort the cards and start making your return calls.

Cards are so the person you chatted with has your correct name and address. They aren't little-bitty advertising billboards.

[Tish Davidson]

Mine say centered Tish Davidson and under that in the same font but slightly smaller Editorial Services. Then I have some space and a double line and under the lines on the left is my address and on the right my phone, fax, and e-mail address. I would never say author or writer on my card, especially if I were not published. I settled on editorial services because I do a variety of things - nonfiction book and textbook writing, development editing, magazine writing. Mainly I use the cards so that people have my correct contact information. They are also hand for dropping in those Win a Free Lunch fishbowls :)

[Cathy C]

I think business cards should speak a bit toward individuality. I use a slightly different paper for mine --- a parchment patterned cream. I list my name, address, phone and e-mail, plus the genres I write (since I do both freelance and novels.) Once you get agented and/or published, you might consider adding your agent contact information at the bottom and one author gave me a super idea: have your recent backlist (title, ISBN, release date) printed on the back! I do leave enough room to do what Jim suggests, writing down info.

Several people at conventions have made favorable comments about my cards, and being remembered is always the goal with cards.

When I return from a convention, I take the time to send an e-mail to each person I met, thanking them for taking the time to talk to me. It keeps that friendly contact going so that even a year later, they'll probably remember my name if I e-mail them.

Have fun at the convention!

[Mike Martyn]

My business cards are standard size, plain white, my name, centered, in a nice engraved serif font, address in and phone number in a smaller sans-serif font in the lower left.

You write a brief note about what you talked about on the back of the card (or what you intend to talk about in the future) when you get someone's card. Stick it in your breast pocket, and after you get home sort the cards and start making your return calls.

Cards are so the person you chatted with has your correct name and address. They aren't little-bitty advertising billboards.


So you don't put anything else on it e; 'Writer"? In my case since I'm handing these out at a writers convention, the presumption would that I'm a writer, aspiring novelist etc.

[Christine N.]

Now I would put something about what you do on the card, to distinguish yourself from, say an illustrator (probably a more common problem at a children's writers con) or an editor/agent.

Uncle Jim can get away without a title, since pretty much everyone knows his name (I would think!).

I put all the other stuff on my card (ie book information) because I may be handing them out to libraries, bookstores, teachers and the like. It's a lot to remember, especially the ISBN number, so I figure it's ok.

[Jamesaritchie]

Now I would put something about what you do on the card, to distinguish yourself from, say an illustrator (probably a more common problem at a children's writers con) or an editor/agent.

Uncle Jim can get away without a title, since pretty much everyone knows his name (I would think!).

I put all the other stuff on my card (ie book information) because I may be handing them out to libraries, bookstores, teachers and the like. It's a lot to remember, especially the ISBN number, so I figure it's ok.

If I did any of those things you list, I would probably include them on a business card. But putting "writer" on there just doesn't cut it, for me.

My business card has my name, address, phone number, and busniess e-mail address. Anything else needed can be jotted quickly. For writers, I don't think business cards that advertise are ever a good idea. They may impress some people, but they can alienate many others.

The less well known you are, the more important I think it is to have a plain and simple business card.

[Mike Coombes]

It sometimes seems like it's my lot in life to follow Mr Ritchie around saying "yeah, what he said."

I have three sets of business cards (how sad is that?). Two for the companies I represent, which are standard, logo'd, business cards. Third set is as described by mr Ritchie - all my contact details, but no 'writer' or other profession. They cover everything - as a writer, as an individual, and when I do freelance consultancy work.

They're subtle and classy. Remember the scene in American Psycho with the business cards? Like that.

[Mike Coombes]

PS Surrey international blah... Surrey UK? How come I haven't heard of this - I'm in sussex! I googled it and the only reference is on this site. How international is it?

[LloydBrown]

Uncle Jim can get away without a title, since pretty much everyone knows his name (I would think!).

I hate to say it, but I only know him from here. I'm sure he's written something that has sold a bunch of copies, but I don't know what it is. If I ever feel like it, I'll look it up. The Writing w/ Uncle Jim thread is enough for me.

[Christine N.]

Yeah, but I bet when he goes to cons most people he would want to give business cards would know it :P

[Cathy C]

I hate to say it, but I only know him from here. I'm sure he's written something that has sold a bunch of copies, but I don't know what it is. If I ever feel like it, I'll look it up. The Writing w/ Uncle Jim thread is enough for me.

Here's a link to his backlist, if you're interested. He has a long, LONG list of credits under a variety of pen names:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/James_D_Macdonald.htm

[maestrowork]

Mine is laid out like this:

Title of Book
tagline (ISBN)

Name
Author

phone
email
website


(And if you have a book out, postcards are better than business cards to give out. People tend to lose business cards)

10 out of 10 times, upon getting my card, people would say, "Oh, The Pacific Between! What's your book about?"



I am not sure about business cards with no title or profession or company name. A lot of times, months later, I'd come across a card with only a name and contact info, and I'd say, "Who the (bleep) is this and what does he do?" If I can't recall, I'll most likely toss the card away.

Maybe it's just me.

[Mike Martyn]

PS Surrey international blah... Surrey UK? How come I haven't heard of this - I'm in sussex! I googled it and the only reference is on this site. How international is it?

City of surrey, Province of British Columbia, Canada.

Here's the web site http://siwc.ca

Lots of authors, lots of agents and lots of editors plus the opportunity to pitch your stuff to agents and editors on a one to one basis. How sweet is that?

[Christine N.]

I would say that putting what you do on the business card is kind of the point of a business card. When I pick one up from a business, the name of the business is right across the top of the card. Many times there is a name beneath and a title (Rocket Scientist, Cat Vaccuumer)

Well, my business name is... me. And what my title is that I write, YA fantasy. I'm published, so I'm an author. I see nothing wrong with putting that information on a card.

I put the book, b/c, like I said, I hand these out to people who may want to order the book later, and all the info is handy.

[SRHowen]

Name and contact info, on the front just like any other biz card. On the back I put the title of my latest work and a one line synop of the work.

Putting writer et el is silly and many agents and editors consider it silly.

Shawn