by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

One of the most valuable parts of attending a writing conference is the opportunity for networking. And while a lot of networking now takes place online—through social media—nothing beats meeting someone face-to-face.

While meeting someone in person is good, being remembered is even better. That’s why we need business cards.

A business card isn’t a only important for those who consider themselves professional writers. Anyone who’s going to meet other writers and professionals needs a good business card. Please take note, I said, good, NOT expensive.

Also remember that business cards make an impression. A clean—professional—card leaves a good impression. A busy—cluttered—card leaves a less than good impression. So take a look at your current card, or the design you’re considering and ask yourself these questions.

• Can you read the font? Readability is a hundred times more important than a beautiful font. So look at the actual font type and the size.
• Do the colors work? Watch out for complimentary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel). Yellow on blue will cause the text to blur and jump because yellow and blue are complimentary.
• Are the graphics too distracting? Above all a business card must be readable. If the chosen graphics interfere with that then they need to go—or at least be toned down.
• Are there too many different fonts? Good graphic design means keeping things simple. The rule of thumb is no more than TWO fonts.

These are the things a good writers business card includes:

• Your picture: I know, I hate to have my picture taken. But, in this business you need to be remembered and recognized and your picture is the best and easiest way to do that. If someone has a card with your picture on it, they’ll remember who you are months longer than if it’s just got your name. Also, it’s harder to throw away a card with a picture on it than a card with just text on it.
• The name you use when you write: if you use a pseudonym, be sure it’s on the card. Here’s an example (I just made up the names – they’re not representative of a real person): Susie Stone, writing as Catherine Milo.
• Your email address: this is going to be the main way others will contact you.
• Your website and/or blog address: never pass up the opportunity to encourage new visitors to your sites. Also, many people will follow up on what you’ve told them and this will be a way for them to get to know you better. Also be sure to capitalize the words within your website so it’s easier to read. Example: www.EdieMelson.com.
• Social media information: if different from your name, you’ll need to include your Twitter handle, Facebook page info, etc. You don’t have to have the exact link, just the name others can find you by on that social media network. Also limit yourself to only TWO social media networks. Otherwise your card will be cluttered.

 Please take note of the things you don’t have to include on your business card: 

• You do not need your physical address on the card. Actually, it’s a liability. It can be dangerous to give out your home address, so if you feel you must include an address, invest in a PO Box.
• Your cell phone number isn’t a necessity. I have mine on there, but it’s personal preference, not a requirement.
• You don’t need your book cover on your business card. The card represents you, not your most recent book.
• You don’t need a tag line on your business card. If you have an established tag line, that’s fine, but don’t spend time inventing one just to have something on your business card. Above all, don’t make claims that aren’t true. For instance, I would never claim, Edie Melson, Premier Science Fiction Author. I don’t even call myself an award-winning author because the awards I’ve won haven’t been all that outstanding. This is what I used for many years to describe myself on my business card:

Edie Melson
Writer, Blogger & Speaker

Other Tips for a Good Writer Business Card

• Keep the color neutral. Many people take notes on a business card. If your card is black or even very dark, normal ink won’t show up on it.
• Make sure there is room on the back for others to take notes. It’s fine if you have something on the back of your card, just make sure there’s plenty of white space, too.
• Don’t use cheap or high gloss paper. Again, it’s hard for others to write on high gloss cards. Also your business card shouldn’t feel like it’s been printed on copy paper.
• Use a standard size. Yes there are some really cool squares or even odder shapes, but the truth is those are easier to lose. We want people to keep our cards long enough to transfer our information somewhere permanent—whether that’s to connect with us on social media or add us to a contact list.

There are many places to order business cards. I love www.vistaprint.com. The important thing is to order them and then remember to bring them with you to the conference.

We’ll be discussing this further in our Facebook group, Blue Ridge Conference Writers,  so be sure to pop over there with your questions. You can even upload an image so we can help you decide if a card design works for you!

Edie Melson—author, blogger, speaker—has written numerous books, including her most recent fiction – Alone, and nonfiction – While My Child is Away. She’s also the military family blogger at Guideposts.org. Her popular blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month and is consistently one the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Websites for Writers. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Vice President of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, as well as the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine.