By Penny L Hunt @PennyLHunt
I linked all the old “foo-foo” sites and e-mail addresses to the new one and, voila! my social media life became manageable again. “But,” I asked, “What will happen to all my contacts still holding those really cute and clever business cards I designed?” Edie assured me this too was easy and would not include having to rent a bi-plane with banner reading, “Now Reach Penny At www.PennyLHunt.com”
Like many beginning writers, speakers and entrepreneurs I went a little overboard creating clever domain names, websites and e-mails. I had different business cards printed for each website but was never sure which card to hand out when, and often left potential clients as confused as I was. Back at the office keeping up with all the websites and e-mails became a total nightmare. Clarity with consistent follow-up became an impossible task. I still cringe thinking of lost opportunities.Then, hallelujah, I attended the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and one of Edie Melson’s practicums. She blew me away with her knowledge and social media expertise. I scheduled a one-on-one appointment and after spending just fifteen minutes with her, left with the key to ending my domain disaster. The answer was: “Keep it simple—create one website and one e-mail using just my name.
I linked all the old “foo-foo” sites and e-mail addresses to the new one and, voila! my social media life became manageable again. “But,” I asked, “What will happen to all my contacts still holding those really cute and clever business cards I designed?” Edie assured me this too was easy and would not include having to rent a bi-plane with banner reading, “Now Reach Penny At www.PennyLHunt.com”
All that was needed was to contact the company where my domains are registered (GoDaddy) and have them link all domains and e-mail addresses to my new, all grown-up, simple yet fabulous website: www.PennyLHunt.com Bounce! Don’t Break…
The next time I saw I Edie I shared what I had accomplished. She said, “Great,” looked deep into my eyes and had me repeat after her, the golden rule of every writer: “Drive everything to your website—Drive everything to your website—Drive everything to your website.”
My new business cards have arrived from VistaPrint http://bit.ly/1UajVrR adorned with a professional head shot of my smiling face on the front along with web, email addresses and phone number, and “I love referrals” with a QR code on the back.
I’m on my way to the shredder with boxes of old business cards embellished with flowers, scrolls, butterflies and entirely too many words and catch phrases. I will miss them. Alas, it’s all part of the journey. Perhaps I’ll keep a copy of each card for posterity…
So, what’s in your business card holder?
The next time I saw I Edie I shared what I had accomplished. She said, “Great,” looked deep into my eyes and had me repeat after her, the golden rule of every writer: “Drive everything to your website—Drive everything to your website—Drive everything to your website.”
My new business cards have arrived from VistaPrint http://bit.ly/1UajVrR adorned with a professional head shot of my smiling face on the front along with web, email addresses and phone number, and “I love referrals” with a QR code on the back.
I’m on my way to the shredder with boxes of old business cards embellished with flowers, scrolls, butterflies and entirely too many words and catch phrases. I will miss them. Alas, it’s all part of the journey. Perhaps I’ll keep a copy of each card for posterity…
So, what’s in your business card holder?
TWEETABLE
Simplify your online presence - @PennyLHunt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Penny L. Hunt is an author, speaker and on-line devotions writer. Her latest book: Bounce! Don’t Break… features the award winning poem, Four Flames of Honor – A Tribute to Military Wives. amzn.to/1S6p58z www.PennyLHunt.com
Great article Penny. That was one of my goals at Write-to-Publish this year. I have just finished creating a webpage for myself. From that page, you can get to my blogs and the books my stories are in. I just updated my business cards, and am on my way to simplifying my online presence. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSheryl, your website is very attractive. I really like the "feel" of the morning sky. Isn't it amazing how effective and easy simple can be? Keep writing and remember after all is said and done and all the social media has been posted, it is our Lord and Savior who promotes and prospers. Blessings!
DeleteThank goodness Vista Print is reasonable. :) Lots to learn on this road called writing. First book is teaching me lots of valuable lessons. Happy shredding!
ReplyDeleteJanetta - You're right about all of us continually learning along the way and how thankful I am for others who have gone before, are so willing to share and others who now walk beside me encouraging and critiquing. Sometimes the lessons hurt and are a little expensive - but the trick is to keep the lesson, let go of the pain and bounce back again! Keep writing and remember you're never alone.
DeleteYes! I made a special page on my website with links to every place I could be connected to online. A Connect With Me page. Put a QR code on the back of my card to that page and hope folks have the scan app on their phones! Also, I have a personal blog in addition to my business website and blog. Only the biz website captures emails to a MailChimp list. I used Sumo Me to put pop-up optin on the personal blog, sending all new subscribers to the one email list. A couple emails a month with simple content, updates, and links to all my latest posts and new products connects with everyone! Took me a while to streamline, too. And quite a few wasted boxes of Vista Print biz cards. Hooray for how we grow!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
Hip-Hip-Hooray indeed for how we grow! And how wonderful to know God never wastes our "growing pains," is for us and will never leave us!
DeleteSounds like you've got it all together and here's my thought about QR codes. Who cares if anyone has the app to scan them - they just look cool!
Yes! I made a special page on my website with links to every place I could be connected to online. A Connect With Me page. Put a QR code on the back of my card to that page and hope folks have the scan app on their phones! Also, I have a personal blog in addition to my business website and blog. Only the biz website captures emails to a MailChimp list. I used Sumo Me to put pop-up optin on the personal blog, sending all new subscribers to the one email list. A couple emails a month with simple content, updates, and links to all my latest posts and new products connects with everyone! Took me a while to streamline, too. And quite a few wasted boxes of Vista Print biz cards. Hooray for how we grow!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
What is a QR code?
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous, a QR code (short for Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode that contains information about the item to which it is attached. They are personalized to take people right to your website when scanned with a smart phone that has a QR reading app. Get one at www.qr-code-generator.com
DeleteGreat post, Penny. This is a case of less being more. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words from one of the finest editors out there! Love you Andrea!
DeleteI have some really ugly business cards to use as fire starters. Maybe I should keep one to remember humble beginnings. Who am I kidding--I'm still at humble beginnings.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, definitely keep a couple. One day, not long from now, they will really make you smile. Keep writing and stay humble always.
DeleteGreat post, Penny! Thanks for sharing this. Some great information here. Love the "golden rule" for writers. I'll remember that!
ReplyDeleteJerusha, sharing really is caring and we all have something to share. Thank YOU for taking the time to comment and share a word of thanks. Keep writing and keep your sweet teachable heart.
ReplyDeleteGreat article, Penny. It reiterates that we're never beyond learning something new and useful. If we're not growing, we're dying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouraging report, Penny. I'm working toward the same goal. It's slow going, but will be so worth it in the end.
ReplyDelete