Lisa Quirk is a brilliant surface design artist re-entering the market now that her kids are older. She wanted to create a business card to bring to networking events, but wasn’t entirely ready to invest in a full identity package. I suggested she cut up business card size swatches of her hand-painted renderings, which she did, then rubber-stamped her contact information on the reverse side.
At networking events she’ll spread out 6-8 of these swatches and offers them like a hand of playing cards, “Pick a card” which immediately creates a sense of play and invites conversation–which is what you want when you’re networking.
Lisa feels good having these cards until she’s ready to commit to an official business name and brand. “I feel good,” she says. “It has my touch.”
This is a great example of starting where you are rather than procrastinating because of perfectionism.
4 comments
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May 13, 2008 at 11:21 am
LIsa Quirk
My cards were received last night at the EWN event with enthusiasm. Thank you Jane!
May 13, 2008 at 4:09 pm
janepollak
@Lisa
So glad to hear that, Lisa. A friend and colleague who read this post said she wished she had thought of that first. I told her that you didn’t feel exclusive about the idea. It’s like a fingerprint–her cards will be entirely different than yours and equally appreciated when networking.
May 20, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Miriam Salpeter
Jane – I’m a fan of Lindsey’s blog (it was one of the first that really appealed to me when I joined the career blogging community), and am delighted that she linked to you!
I had to comment on the issue of “procrastinating because of perfectionism.” When I worked on Wall Street, one of the “big guys” always said, “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” It is so true – waiting to figure out the perfect solution (for business cards or anything else) can create a roadblock that you never get over. Moving forward with the “good” opens the door for the next best thing!
I also love your idea for the business cards. Sounds like it might actually be the “perfect” solution.
Best of luck with the blogging!
Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers
May 21, 2008 at 6:59 pm
janepollak
@Miriam
Any fan of Lindsey’s (blog) is a friend of mine! thank you for your comment and additional wisdom.