Earlier this week I decided to sign up for classes at the Original Sewing Expo as it’s coming to Worcester MA next month, about 20 minute drive from home. I have never taken any quilting or sewing classes in real life so instead of picking classes that are brand new skills to learn I decide to take advanced beginner type classes to learn new techniques and tips for my piecing, machine quilting and binding.
One thing I learned from past encounters with crafty strangers (guild meeting, conference, chat in the aisle of my LQS) is that I want to connect with these new acquaintances online after we meet. The best way to do that is to take an idea out from my college marketing and networking classes: I ordered business cards.
I know I’m going to feel like a total doof handing them out but there’s the URLs to my quilt blog and QuiltAlong.net right on it and these are projects I am proud to share with other people. There’s no good reason to not hand out a little 3.5″ x 2″ paper invitation to my little space on the Internet to other like-minded crafters. Plus it’s absurd for me to expect them to remember my URLs after a conversation, isn’t it?
I don’t have a picture but I also opted for the 2 sided cards and I have the logo for both projects on the back (marketing tip: brand recognition!) I ordered mine on VistaPrint and it roughly comes out to 16¢ per card so I will be deliberate about who I hand them out to but not so frugal that they sit in my sewing room never to see the light of day!
Do you have business cards?
Do you have business cards to hand out for your quilt blog? Even if it’s not a business (per-say) do you think you would benefit by connecting with people at your LQS, retreats, conferences, classes and guild meetings?
Yes, I have business cards featuring my blog. Like yours, they’re two-sided ones from VistaPrint. One side has my contact info and the other has my blog logo. I use a similar logo on my patterns as well for consistent branding. I’ve found the business cards surprisingly useful in many non-quilting situations as well as in connecting with other quilters.
I have business cards, too. I have some pretty fancy two-sided cards from moo.com that I give out more sparingly and I have simply one sided (and free) cards from Vistaprint. I think the next time I order I’ll have a better vision for my “brand” but for now what I have works well enough.
I have mini cards from Moo. They were dirt cheep and I love having them. I always carry them with me and when I talk to people about my quilting or my blog or anything at all related I hand one out. So handy to have. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about business cards recently too. The owner from my LQS borrowed one of my quilts a few times to give a talk on modern quilting and I kept writing my blog name on a piece of paper and pinning it to the corner. I want to start turning my designs into patterns so it would probably be a good idea. But before that, I need to figure out how to digitize my designs.
I had business cards made before QuiltCon, but I have not yet put the extras in my purse. I totally should, especially before the Maine Quilt Shop Hop in April. Thanks for the idea! I feel the same way as you, though–as silly as it may feel to make a blog business card, I’m proud of the work I do, and love the easy connection a business card exchange can create. I also hope to one day help our family’s bottom line (somehow) through quilting or designing or photographing quilty things, so getting my name and “tag” out now certainly doesn’t hurt!
This is such a great idea! I’ve been intending to do a bit of a rebrand but I admit I keep putting it off. One of these days….
I do! Mine are simply made from HP business card paper from my local office supply store, and I make a hundred or so at a time. I didn’t want to order 1,000 until I was sure of my logo, info, etc. I agree that branding is important, but want to emphasize, “Choose wisely.” I am now the Pink Doxie Mama.
I’ve handed them out in quilt stores, at meetings, the grocery, etc. I think tucking one or two into a package you mail to a client is prudent. A local guild has them with the handouts coming in the door to meetings. You need to think of building your IRL contacts as well as your online world.
While it seemed almost a bit silly the first time I wanted to make them up, it seems to have turned it into an official thing—my company is real, and not just on paper. Somehow a card makes me feel more believable, and absolutely more confident, in turn.
Don’t forget to have a jazzy, handmade case to whip them out of! People are standing there talking to you while you dig for your card, and it’s a great way to show off your work. I’ve had enough people ask for those alone, that I put some on my Etsy. That would be another piece of information I would encourage you to add to your cards.
Julie @ Pink Doxies
Hahaha… You are Right! I didn’t have any business cards today! Nice meeting you at the expo!