I’m the lucky winNER, I’m the lucky winNER*
May 21st, 2009 | by TJ |*obscure seaQuest reference
Internet! I won a prize!
I never win prizes!
Wait, let me back up.
Yesterday, I got a really nice note from one of my clients, THEN a really nice note from the owners of a site I work for, THEN one of my other clients recommended my work to a friend and introduced me to her for future work, THEN I got some extra work for the month I didn’t realize I was going to get, THEN I got signed on with a really great new company that is going to be a huge opportunity, and THEN I won a prize!
Hooray!
Ok, anyway, here’s the thing. So, these Uprinting.com people are going to call me to talk about what I want on my new business cards. Except… I didn’t think I’d actually WIN, so I hadn’t even considered what I might put on business cards at all, so I haven’t given them my phone number yet in order to stall and buy time.
Should I have someone design something? Should I just use one of their standard ones? Should I make a generic card that is just all “Hey! I’m awesome! Call me some time!” or should I make one that all professional-like due to the fact that much to my shock, awe, surprise, etc, this writing thing is actually working out in a realistic and seemingly permanent and successful fashion?
I need a name for my non-existant writing company, but I can’t think of anything. I figure it should probably incorporate TJ or Temerity Jane in it, because I’ve got that name all established, but after that, I’m stuck. And I don’t even have a page on this site yet about writing, which I totally keep intending to do, except Reba or Golden Girls is usually on, and really, who can get any work done then, you know?
I don’t even have a logo! Do I need a logo? I don’t think I do. But I don’t have a name! Or… a description or a tag line or anything even slightly writing related. I mean, I would totally love to put the demonic ponytail line on there, but I don’t know if it would translate well to the writing field… HEY HOW ABOUT DEMONIC PONYTAIL WRITING? Wait, except I don’t want to use a different domain and… goddamnit. I need help.
Internet, if you were me, in my exact position, which I have described ad naseum for the last 2 years because this is my website and that’s what I do, so I figure you’re pretty well informed, what would you put on a business card? Extreme bonus points if you can manage to work in the word “awesome” as in, “I’m awesome.”
By Leejin on May 21, 2009
I hear they have Business Cards printed on actual Bacon… That.. Would.. Rock.. Nothing screams Gramatical amazement like meat.
Found link…. lawls.
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By Fimlys on May 21, 2009
um,.
TJs Exposition
TJ, Inscriber at Awesome..
Temerity Jane Writing
TJ and the Bear
TJs Tales (or Tails)
Exposing TJ (ok, maybe not)
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By T-Sonn on May 21, 2009
I think “Temerity Jane” works just great, as does your existing logo. I’m not so sure about the client-attracting-potential of the pony tail line, though. Grats on all your goodness!
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By TJ on May 21, 2009
Anyone who is bored and in possession of more artistic skill than I am (which would mean, if you have ANY), should feel free to design something radical: http://www.uprinting.com/print/Business-Cards.html
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By TheWicked on May 21, 2009
Temerity Jane Inscriptions
“Made from 100% pure awesome”
**list your contact info**
Please mention the promotional code “demonic ponytail”
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By iLLa on May 21, 2009
i think “WRITE UP YOURS” using your logo to the right would be kinda excellent.
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By Three of IV on May 21, 2009
As others have mentioned previously, I think the name Temerity Jane works and sounds great for your new “official” business. Maybe a fun line on the bottom of the card under the contact info or something but you do want to keep it a little professional. (maybe your professional stationary can have additional awesomeness).
Congrats and good luck on all the new stuff coming your way
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By Alex on May 21, 2009
Agreed! Temerity Jane is a fantastic company name, and so simple. If you wanted, you could add “Temerity Jane Writes” or something, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Less is more on a business card.
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By Vronak on May 21, 2009
Awesome Writing Inc.
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By Maebius on May 21, 2009
Hmm, I had a thought, but it went totally out the window when I read “Write up yours”.
I do agree that simply Temerity Jane – Write Up Yours is awesome, though perhaps “Temerity Jane – Need iy done, I’ll Write up yours” is too long and wordy. Still, the name itself is classy enough, and has total ‘Net Cred with Teh Internets already.
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By Luckedout on May 21, 2009
I like just Temerity Jane or TJ Writes. You want to keep it really simple. As a business owner I get a couple cards a day and I literally scan it for .5 seconds. So you want it simple and with larger print. I don’t know why people insist on putting tiny 4pt fonts on business cards.
I think the orange color with the swirls that are by peoples comments would be a very very good background. It’s very unique yet looks professional. I like it because it’s different and memorable. Which is important, you want to set yourself apart.
The last thing. (which I don’t think you’ll like) I would put your picture on it. People are much better at remembering faces than names. If you want people to remember you, give them a card with your picture. When they see the picture they’ll remember more about you than if you just give them a card with a name on it. I hate it myself, but it works. I have people come up to me all the time who can’t remember my name but they remember my face from a card I gave them.
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By Asara on May 21, 2009
Temerity Jane Writing
“Awesomeness, Incorporated”
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By Dzargul on May 21, 2009
Not to throw water on the fire, TJ, because I love your writing, but do you REALLY want your business associated with the often funny, very insightful, but sometimes off-kilter writing you do here?
Anyone who gets a card and Googles your name will find this site. As wonderful as your writing is(AND IT IS!) I think you should keep your professional and personal writing separate.
…besides…the more successful you are the more time you have to entertain us here.
…that IS what you exist for…er…right?
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By Kairu on May 21, 2009
Here’s what I came up with:
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1508/tjbuisinesscard.jpg
Of course, the color and website can be changed to whatever you need, but yeah, you get the general idea. =D
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By Spork in the Road on May 21, 2009
Jane, I’m a professional writer myself with a little design experience to boot. I love projects with lots of personality and freedom, so I took a stab at doing a card for you. You can see what the front would look like here-
http://gradbrand.com/TemerityJaneCard-Front.jpg
and there are two options for what the back could look like here-
http://gradbrand.com/TemerityJaneCard-Back1.jpg
http://gradbrand.com/TemerityJaneCard-Back2.jpg
There’s also a tagline you’ll see on the card options along with the logo. I thought “Writing with character” was appropriate for several reasons. You are certainly a character. You write about characters. Your writing style certainly has character, and you write with characters (aka letters).
If you like it, you’re welcome to contact me and I can find out what sort of files the printer needs (internet-spec files are almost never print-ready).
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By Catastrophe on May 22, 2009
Temerity Jane
Agreeably awesome writing.
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By atmtrtle on May 22, 2009
I, like most above, like the name Temerity Jane. However Dzargul’s point should be considered. Personally, I am attracted to clean, simple (almost utilitarian) designs. I would also second Luckedout’s recommendation to use large fonts, particularly for the details of your preferred method of being contacted.
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By Bernie on May 22, 2009
When I google Temerity Jane I get 42,4200 hits. I think it works. The main thing is if a prospective customer were to google you to check out your writing what better than to get a slice of the awsomeness you mete out to your faithful.
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By Aboo on May 22, 2009
The key to scoring new business, through any medium is catching their attention. Think of the business cards that you remember (not many I’ll bet). Then think of the commercials you remember…
You have to balance the two. Professional, yet memorable. And someone else already said it, but a picture is worth a thousands words. (No offense to the writers among us :P)
It doesn’t have to be YOUR picture. But a memorable picture on your business card is an absolute must.
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By Luckedout on May 22, 2009
p.s. http://www.gotprint.com has very nice business cards for super cheap. I was paying around $50 for 1000 cards. GotPrint charges about $17 for 1000 and they are better quality then what I had before. You can request a free sample kit that has all the different types of business cards too. Turnaround has typically been about 3 days with shipping.
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