How many business cards should you have?
A good estimate for an author is four.
That may seem like a lot, but there are several reasons why having more than one business card to support your writing is a good thing.
Many writers wear different hats. Whether they write fiction or nonfiction, they can have different areas of expertise. A good way to gain an interview, speaking assignment, or book promotion is to address each area individually with a different business card.
There is never just one way to sell a book. While some ways will work better than others, it doesn’t make sense to leave books on different tables, hoping the right audience will find them. Having a variety of business cards allows you to promote yourself as an expert in a subject to a particular audience.
For instance, if you want to sell books during a business conference, a card that merely states you are an “author” will not carry as much clout as a card that touts you as a “business consultant” or “entrepreneur.” Your books in this case are seen as tools of your trade, even if they bring in substantial income for you. Business groups are looking for solutions, not entertainment, and a book without an expert behind it will not be considered and will not get its author in front of the podium.
On the other hand, perhaps that same book can change lives in other situations besides business. Perhaps your book called Getting Organized would work in a parenting group or in a school setting. In this case, you would want your expertise to slant toward education and your business card to state that.
In another scenario, perhaps you are part of a writers association or plan on attending some large book conventions. At these events having a card that promotes your success in the field of writing will make deeper impressions.
Business cards are an inexpensive way to network and build relationships. Use multiple cards to your advantage to promote your books as much as possible.
