How to design a freelance writer business card

Freelance Writer Business Card Design

How are you presenting your freelance services to prospective clients?

Create a professional and appealing business card to build your client base and promote your brand

By: Daisy McCarty, Cofounder of Freelance TEXT, Author of “Make Freelancing REALLY Pay”

Creating a business card to market your services as a freelance writer can be a challenge.

You must decide…• What to include • What title to use• How to describe what you do• How to make all the information fit • How to make it look attractive

and that’s just the card…

What’s Stopping You from Getting Your Business Card Design Done?

Business clients expect you to have a professional web presence and a business card.

You need both to effectively market your

freelance writing business.

A business card isn’t a substitute for a website where you can display your portfolio and talk about your services in detail. But it’s a good place to start.

Your Card as Part of Your Total Freelance Brand

Creating your business card first has 4 benefits:

1. Working with limited space forces you to be very precise.

2. You will get the “look and feel” figured out for your website.

3. You can reuse graphics (such as your business logo) on your site.

4. It’s a lot less expensive to make changes to your card rather than your site if you change your mind about the branding.

Note: Be sure to have your website up and running before you start handing out your new business cards with the web address on them!

Design Your Card First and Your Website Second

Here’s an example of my freelance writing business card. My clients tell me it makes a very good first impression:

Now, we can look at the design process step by step…

Let’s Get Started on the Card Design Process…

Example

Brand Name: Freelance TEXTThis company name is short, describes how we work (on a freelance basis) and what service we provide (text content only). Plus, no one else was using it…

Tagline: “We Write for Your Business”This tagline tells what we do (writing) and who our clients are (businesses). It also sounds like: “We’re Right for Your Business” for a subliminal message!

STEP #1: Create Your Brand

Besides your company name & tagline, here are the other necessary elements for your card:

• Your name• A professional photo of you (not a “selfie”)• Your contact information (the two best ways to reach you)• Your website or online portfolio URL• A short list or description of your services

Note: Don’t assume clients can automatically tell what type of writer you are. Be specific.

STEP #2: Decide on the Essentials

Don’t Make It Too Complicated

Choose one easy-to-read font for your card. Vary the size and use bold, italic, and color effects for visual interest.

This card design uses Times New Roman for everything except the logo. It’s legible even at a small size.

STEP #3: Design and Layout

STEP #3: Design and Layout

Make It Pop!Don’t be afraid to use color to differentiate your brand.

Note: Using some Feng Shui principles can be fun for this step. In this card design, blue represents authenticity and communication, green is for business growth, brown for stability, and gold for prosperity.

Make sure all the elements work well together.• Portrait pose is angled toward the center of the card, showing

that we believe in our business.

• Tagline is in the center with a blank area below it so the messaging attracts the client’s gaze.

STEP #3: Design and Layout

• Colors highlight important information so clients can easily find it on the card.

• Services are on the far right so this list is the last thing the client reads on the card (emphasizing our versatility as business writers).

STEP #3: Design and Layout

• A satisfaction guarantee seal at the top right demonstrates quality and reliability.

That’s it! Go forth and design your own card!

STEP #4: The Finishing Touch

I’d love to see what your brand new freelance business card looks like!

Email me at: daisy@makefreelancingpay.com to show off your design. I might even feature it on my blog…

Did You Do It?

Make Freelancing REALLY PayCommunication and Negotiation Strategies That Take You to the Top!

Available at Fine eBook Retailers: Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple iBookstore Smashwords

For more details, visit:http://makefreelancingpay.com/buy-my-book

Get the Book:

Thanks for reading, learning, and sharing!

Visit my website for more great freelancing tips and advice.

Best wishes on your Freelance Success,

—Daisy McCarty