When I taught, I had business cards–actually a second printing was made after we got email addresses back in the 90s. Handed them out at conferences, after presentations, to visitors who came to watch me actually work with kids, to parents, any time someone wanted my info. The cards were handy.
When the teaching career ended, I tossed out the remaining 50 or so cards. By that time the email address needed to be updated. And, of course, the title of teacher no longer applied to me.
With no job, no title, no workplace, I saw no need for a business card. But, people still asked for my card. At meetings, at social events, even at places where I did business and they needed information so as to notify me when a part, piece, or whatever had arrived. I had to apologize and found myself saying, “Oh, I’m retired, so I’m not anything any more.” Then I would tear off a scrap of paper and scribble my name, number, email, etc. My former students would be rolling their eyes about now.
“How unprofessional, Mrs. Zody.”
I can hear them reprimanding me, just as I did them when they didn’t quite measure up to my strict standards of business etiquette, and, they would be right. I needed a business card, but what would I put on one? I have no job or title, beyond my volunteer, grandma, and caretaking duties.
I opened up my word processing application and immediately found a card template I liked. It spoke to me. I take pictures, so why not put my photo on my card? As for a title, I write stories and take pictures so I made my title just that–stories & photos, then I added my address, phone, email, Twitter, and blog.
So far, I’ve only printed one page’s worth of cards, and given out only one card, but now when someone asks for my card, I will be ready. No more unprofessional scraps of paper.
I took this with my Mac so it's a mirror image. You get the idea, though, of the card's layout.
I have cards for work and never carry them, which is indeed unprofessional. I like the idea of a personal card, but I hate giving out or collecting little pieces of paper. They just get lost (or, more accurately, I lose them). When I meet people socially, I tend to put their info directly into my phone. Then I can actually find it when I want it.
You are like my teaching partner. She never had her cards with her and always had me hand mine to whoever wanted hers. She said it was all one and the same. True. One brain between us!
Your card looks very professional!
Thanks, Kathy. I remember that you did business cards for yourself, so that’s what inspired me to make my own.
My suggestion for your title:
Contributor of Insight (after 2PM only, results may vary)
Via an Ask Metafilter thread about this exact thing, which I guess would be termed “calling cards” – here be linkage: http://ask.metafilter.com/192887/I-need-an-awesome-title-for-my-business-cards
Actually, it would have to say UP TO 2 PM. My brain gets tired in the afternoon. After 3 I’m really not too good for too much, especially financial spreadsheets which I am attempting to work on this afternoon, after 3.
Since I am retired, I really don’t absolutely need a card. However, there are occasional times that people want contact numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. It might be a good idea to have a couple ready just in case.
See? I said the same thing, I don’t do anything any more so I don’t have a card. But, people don’t see it that way. I don’t know about you,Kay, but I’m heavily involved with a nonprofit and with our church so people have been asking for a card with contact information. Even in retirement, we need to be reachable.
As an update to the cards, I have printed 5 pages of these cards and am running low right now. Time for another printing.