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Susan Coryell's avatar

I use VistaPrint - but have found it difficult to include all 7 books I've published on one and.

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Joy E. Held's avatar

Hi Susan! All 7 books on one business card would definitely be a challenge! If they are in different genres, all the more tough. Do you have multiple business cards?

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Debbie Burke's avatar

Great topic, Joy. I've had business cards for years from a printer in my town (I try to shop local first). Then I tried bookmarks featuring covers of my series for events and they were popular. I noticed at appearances people were more apt to pick up a bookmark than a business card.

For my latest thriller, Fruit of the Poisonous Tree, I had bookmarks printed that feature the new book cover and sales links on one side, and covers of the rest of my books on the other side. I can hand out bookmarks as a small token gift w/o feeling like I'm pushing people to take a business card.

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Joy E. Held's avatar

Hi Debbie! I love this process!! Thanks for planting the idea, especially about the other titles being on the back of the bookmark. Doing this! Shoot me another email about your new book. I have one space left for the Oct. 31 Books By My Friends feature:)

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Amy Dressler's avatar

I like business cards for networking with other writers and giving people I have conversations with an easy way to find me (and my books) online. I just got new ones made and included a little thumbnail of my headshot on the back; I was thinking it would be nice so if I give one to someone at a conference and they're going through their stuff later they can remember who I am!

But--this just came in so handy. I was checking into a hotel and did not realize I'd lost my drivers' license! I had a wallet full of stuff with my name on it, but the front desk staff really needed something with a picture. Business card to the rescue! (I am not sure how secure this practice was, but that's the hotel staff's business, I was just happy to have a place to sleep that night.)

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Joy E. Held's avatar

Amy! What a wonderful story. I've never put my picture on any of my business cards. I think because I use the space for basic info but I love the idea of it doubling as an ID of sorts on the back of a business card. Where do you get them printed?

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Amy Dressler's avatar

I just made them on Canva.

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Liz Alterman's avatar

Hi Joy, I wonder about this too. I had business cards but then would end up changing my email or something else that made them obsolete. I just started creating bookmarks (using Vistaprint) and put a QR code that links to my website on the back. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

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Joy E. Held's avatar

Hey, Liz! Thanks for starting off the comments! I have a box of useless business cards for the reason you describe: changes to the content or circumstances! I have yet to figure out how to repurpose them. I love the QR code and have it on the back of a bookmark but I don't have any idea if it's used or not. I sure give out a lot of them. I'm curious about what site you use to create the QR.

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Liz Alterman's avatar

Yes! I often joke that I could wallpaper a bathroom with old business cards! I wonder that too—is anyone using the QR code!? I created mine right on Vistaprint’s website. Super easy. Fingers crossed people are using both of ours! :)

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Joy E. Held's avatar

Awesome! I will look for it. Thanks, book friend:)

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Liz Alterman's avatar

Any time! Thank you! :)

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