Just a few days before my first-ever blogging conference, Gleek Retreat, we got a “what to bring” list from organizers. Camera-check. Laptop or tablet with power cord-check. Business cards-*blink blink*. The e-mail said if we hadn’t ordered any yet, we could check out Vista Print or some other quick shipping company to get some cards. I had no idea what I was going to do. Let’s just say I’ll be more prepared next time.
I never thought I’d need business cards. I have no idea why this didn’t dawn on my until a reminder e-mail three days before the conference. At that point, I had no time to order. I was leaving a day before and there was no way I was going to pay for a rush delivery. I had so much to do before I left that I knew Kinkos was out of the question. So I did the worst thing a first-time-blogging-conference-attendee can do. I made them at home.
I’m not a graphic designer and I certainly don’t play one on TV. I took a stab at it and made these humiliating little business cards that resembled a “Hello My Name Is” sticker because that’s the most creative thing I could think of at the time.
Do as I say, not as I do.
This was not the way to go. The print quality was terrible. They were one-sided and on super flimsy, cheap business card paper that I picked up at Meijer. I should have sprung for better cards.
I got there and all these wonderful, established bloggers had these beautifully printed, double-sided, QR-coded, sometimes metallic, rounded-edge cards. I had my dumb homemade “Hello My Name Is” cards that were starting to curl at the edges because I had to rip them apart.
Here I was at the conference, making a first impression with my brand new personal blog. I was representing me, not my work. I was there to market myself and my blog. And I did it with some really bad business cards.
But I learned a lot at that conference, and one thing I didn’t think of was spreading your brand identity across your website, Facebook fan page and business cards. My blog isn’t really complete yet. It’s waiting for the final design pieces to be put in place. So maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t have the cards. I can design them to match my site and my brand, as soon as the logo is completed. And this time, I am not wasting my time with my home computer.
I’m going to Tiny Prints.
I recently ordered some Father’s Day and graduation cards through Tiny Prints and they were awesome. I know that my business cards will be as well. The quality was top-notch and something that I truly expect from Tiny Prints. Check out all of the business cards that Tiny Prints has to offer.
Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique stationery that cover all your paper needs. You’ll find summer party invitations, personalized greeting cards, thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Come try the easy card personalization, powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality for yourself! With Tiny Prints by your side, commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch!
And the fine print: I was compensated by Global Influence for this Tiny Prints post. The views expressed here are completely my own.
