Freelancer, student or job-seeker: you need a business card

​I went around for a year without one trying to be cool but it just ended up being a nuisance and made me look unprofessional. 

For a year I chose not to get a business card as I ramped up my freelancing and author activities. I’m going to be a renegade and stop using the little credit card-sized paper, I thought. That was a mistake. 

If you’re employed, chances are you can print as many business cards as you want. Great, do that but if you’re looking for a job or just starting your freelancing, you’ll need your own. It’s not a cost worth saving on. Here’s why:

• Avoid the weird discussions as you exit a chat with a new contact. Initially, I thought it was fun explaining that I didn’t have one because I was running a little experiment. The fun faded and then I was leaving people empty-handed.
• You get a chance to make and leave an impression. Your sparkling new business card will have the title you choose. I suggest keeping it simple, like “freelance journalist” or just “journalist.” I don’t place much value into the look and feel of the card but having one will help you get behind who you are. Fake it until you make it.
• It gives you one more way to connect. Sometimes people are in a rush to leave, but you want to get their details. No time for LinkedIn? Exchange cards.
• My thought was if someone wants to connect with me, they will make an effort to find me. Or we can do it instantly on LinkedIn, with a follow on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. False. Some people got agitated. Maybe it's a generational thing but not having a card was simply less professional in the eyes of many.
• You miss out on a small act of giving. Seems trite, but it’s nice to give someone a card. I enjoy getting one. I always use the card to get down a few notes about the person I spoke with. The visual of those notes about the person on the card make that particular meeting come alive again my memory. 

I still think business cards will become a thing of the past but until then, I’m going to play ball and have one. I’m still experimenting as I don’t have my email on the latest batch. You’ll know I like you because I’ll take the time to hand write it out (sometimes with a smiley) adding a personal touch to something that feels antiquated and old-school.

Resources (no affiliation, I might add):
Wisestamp www.wisestamp.com (ca. $25 for 50 cards) I use the Wisestamp email signature, and since all my info was in there, I just grabbed a simple design and ordered 50.
Vistaprint www.vistaprint.com (ca. $16 for 100) I’ve used them in the past, and they’ll have more designs to choose from. If you’re cost-conscious but want tons of options, try this.