Comments on: You’ve Got to Work Your Joint: Promoting Yourself Needs to be an Ongoing Activity http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:14:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sue LaPointe http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28515 Sue LaPointe Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:56:13 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28515 Amen to John's comment! Handing out those 'free' cards is ultimately more expensive than paying the extra couple of dollars for the blank back. It shows you are not serious about your business, or confident in your ability to make it work. And self-promotion only really seems awful until you realize the true nature of sales... connecting people with needs to people who can help them! Excellent post, Jodee! Sue LaPointe www.workingwriterhappywriter.com http://buildathrivingwritingbusiness.blogspot.com/ Amen to John’s comment!

Handing out those ‘free’ cards is ultimately more expensive than paying the extra couple of dollars for the blank back.

It shows you are not serious about your business, or confident in your ability to make it work.

And self-promotion only really seems awful until you realize the true nature of sales… connecting people with needs to people who can help them!

Excellent post, Jodee!

Sue LaPointe
http://www.workingwriterhappywriter.com
http://buildathrivingwritingbusiness.blogspot.com/

]]> By: John Lister http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28192 John Lister Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:28:39 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28192 I'd definitely back paying the few extra bucks to have the VistaPrint logo removed from the back of the cards. You'd think nobody would look at the back, but with the first batch I handed out, *everybody* turned them over and looked at the logo. Having just impressed somebody with your professional image, it's really undermining when, less than a second later, they see a line explaining you got the cards as a freebie! I’d definitely back paying the few extra bucks to have the VistaPrint logo removed from the back of the cards. You’d think nobody would look at the back, but with the first batch I handed out, *everybody* turned them over and looked at the logo.

Having just impressed somebody with your professional image, it’s really undermining when, less than a second later, they see a line explaining you got the cards as a freebie!

]]> By: Christie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28180 Christie Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:41:54 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28180 I'm going to both agree and disagree with this post and comments. I agree that business cards are essential. They are also part of your first impression when meeting potential clients. To me nothing screams "amateur" as much as having a business card printed on Avery card stock, or using free Vistaprint cards and not paying the $20 to have the Vistaprint logo taken off the back. It's part of image presentation. If you don't care enough to invest in business cards, you might be sending the message that you don't care enough about what you're going to produce as a writer. And besides, it's tax deductible! ;-) I’m going to both agree and disagree with this post and comments. I agree that business cards are essential. They are also part of your first impression when meeting potential clients. To me nothing screams “amateur” as much as having a business card printed on Avery card stock, or using free Vistaprint cards and not paying the $20 to have the Vistaprint logo taken off the back. It’s part of image presentation. If you don’t care enough to invest in business cards, you might be sending the message that you don’t care enough about what you’re going to produce as a writer. And besides, it’s tax deductible! ;-)

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28138 Jodee Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:23:35 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28138 @ Phil: I really enjoyed that show. Jim Rockford did have a lengthy list of aliases, and each one had its own business card, you're right! @ Nacie: Thank you...I'm glad you found it interesting. @ Phil: I really enjoyed that show. Jim Rockford did have a lengthy list of aliases, and each one had its own business card, you’re right!

@ Nacie: Thank you…I’m glad you found it interesting.

]]> By: Nacie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28136 Nacie Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:19:42 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28136 Great advice. I think that the card idea also goes a long way to show others you take your business seriously, and it isn't just that "writing hobby" you did in college. Thanks for the thoughts! Great advice. I think that the card idea also goes a long way to show others you take your business seriously, and it isn’t just that “writing hobby” you did in college. Thanks for the thoughts!

]]> By: Phil http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28122 Phil Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:48:41 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28122 Though VistaPrint might be less expensive, printing one's own cards makes it easier to change items when needed. For you oldtimers, think of the Rockford Files. He did business cards for everything (and, if I'm not mistaken, did them on a typewriter). Though VistaPrint might be less expensive, printing one’s own cards makes it easier to change items when needed. For you oldtimers, think of the Rockford Files. He did business cards for everything (and, if I’m not mistaken, did them on a typewriter).

]]> By: Katherine http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28115 Katherine Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:35:01 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28115 I agree that business cards can be powerful. However, I am notoriously buying business cards that I am proud of (200 of them at least) handing out ten of them, then changing my email address or something like that which makes the cards obsolete. My business is done online but that doesn't mean that I can't promote myself offline. I have to remember that. I agree that business cards can be powerful. However, I am notoriously buying business cards that I am proud of (200 of them at least) handing out ten of them, then changing my email address or something like that which makes the cards obsolete. My business is done online but that doesn’t mean that I can’t promote myself offline. I have to remember that.

]]> By: Andrea http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28113 Andrea Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:12:06 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28113 I love Vistaprint! I recently learned that my yoga teachig job will be ending next week (studio's closing) so I had some cards print there to give to my students. On the front has all my yoga info/availability for privates, etc. On the back, I paid a few extra bucks to have freelance writing info. If I get work in either field, it's a win. Generally speaking, though, I'm awful at self-promotion because I'm very shy. I really need to get over that. I only have a stady paycheck for another week! I love Vistaprint! I recently learned that my yoga teachig job will be ending next week (studio’s closing) so I had some cards print there to give to my students. On the front has all my yoga info/availability for privates, etc. On the back, I paid a few extra bucks to have freelance writing info. If I get work in either field, it’s a win. Generally speaking, though, I’m awful at self-promotion because I’m very shy. I really need to get over that. I only have a stady paycheck for another week!

]]> By: Kari Rippetoe http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28111 Kari Rippetoe Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:35:28 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28111 I've just had business cards printed up for myself, using a free Vistaprint offer through Elance. Now I'm on the lookout for opportunities where I can distribute them, like local networking events and blogging and social media conferences. I’ve just had business cards printed up for myself, using a free Vistaprint offer through Elance. Now I’m on the lookout for opportunities where I can distribute them, like local networking events and blogging and social media conferences.

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28109 Jodee Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:05:20 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28109 @ Deb: Great suggestion for Vista Print. I'm glad you popped in...I miss you too! @ Deb: Great suggestion for Vista Print.

I’m glad you popped in…I miss you too!

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28108 Deb Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:01:16 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28108 I always have business cards with me. Vista Print offers free cards - you just pay a couple of dollars for shipping. Everyone is a potential client. Hi Jodee and everyone! I miss you! I always have business cards with me. Vista Print offers free cards – you just pay a couple of dollars for shipping. Everyone is a potential client.

Hi Jodee and everyone! I miss you!

]]> By: Lana Taylor Figgs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/comment-page-1/#comment-28104 Lana Taylor Figgs Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:32:32 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/youve-got-to-work-your-joint-promoting-yourself-needs-to-be-an-ongoing-activity/#comment-28104 You're so right,....as painful as it can be, we HAVE to put ourselves out there in the public eye. Business cards are a great method. Then there's free websites (ONLY temporary to get started), blogging builds skills AND exposure, and the dreaded Cold-calling that's promoted by gurus Bob Bly & Peter Bowerman... You’re so right,….as painful as it can be, we HAVE to put ourselves out there in the public eye. Business cards are a great method. Then there’s free websites (ONLY temporary to get started), blogging builds skills AND exposure, and the dreaded Cold-calling that’s promoted by gurus Bob Bly & Peter Bowerman…

]]>