Going to NGS 2013? Are you preparing for the conference? All participants should prepare for going to a conference, not just the
speakers, organizers and exhibitors.
One of the things you should do now in preparation is to
print business cards.
I know, I know, you’re not in the business of genealogy, so
why should you have business cards? Think of these as finding-cousins-and-fellow-researcher cards
or networking-to-learn-more cards or even, here’s-my-surnames-I’m-researching cards.
Have you ever run into someone at a conference that you wanted
to keep in touch with? Or maybe you were
making copies at the Family History Library and you ran into someone doing the exact same research. Networking is important to your genealogy
because it opens up new leads, information about websites, new cousins,
etc. It’s through genealogical
networking that we are able to become better genealogists.
One easy, fast way to let others know who you are
researching and provide your contact information is by putting together
business cards. Business cards are not just for business people, they are an
inexpensive way to help people remember who you are and how to get in touch
with you.
Once you have business cards, then you will want to carry
them with you to give out to family members, other researchers, at research
repositories, FamilySearch Centers, conferences, and seminars. Basically anywhere were you might find people
interested in the places or surnames that you are researching.
Putting it Together
The type of information that you choose to put on your card
may differ depending on your research. I
would suggest thinking about using both sides of the card-and if a business
card is too small-consider using a postcard.
Some ideas for your business card info include:
- Name,
address, phone number
- Email
address
- Your websites
or blogs
- Social
Networking sites you belong to like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest
- Family
history books you have authored
- URL’s
for photos you have uploaded to sites like Flicker
- Genealogy/historical
societies you belong too
- Counties
you research
- Surnames
you are researching
- Any
other research interests (Salem Witch Trials, Quaker Research, Civil War
Ancestors, etc.)
Now that you know what you want on your card, you may need
to find someone to design and or print it.
Several options exist here and depending on your needs and financial
considerations you can choose what’s right for you. You can save money by using a template in a program
like Microsoft Office and then print the cards using an Avery business card
template paper on your printer. If you do not own those programs, check out
Google Drive for templates. This is a free program to use, you just need to set
up a Google sign in and password.
If you are not interested in creating and printing your own
business cards, other options exist, both in brick and mortar stores as well as
online. Most office supply stores and
copy centers can print out business cards. Several online vendors can provide
you with business cards, postcards and other printed items. Vista Print is an
inexpensive option that you may want to consider.
What do I use? I use Moo for my business cards. I like the
way they look and the options they provide. Use one side of your card for
information and the other to showcase an image of an ancestor, a photo of your
ancestral homeland or other images you love and that conveys your ancestry.
Best part is they allow you to upload a different image for each business card in
your order. That’s enough to share lots of ancestral photos.
Post NGS2013
Now what do you do when you get home and you have a ton of
business cards? Well that’s up to you but one of my suggestions is to
follow-up. Send an email, ask a question, or follow those contacts through
social media websites. Looking for a way to store all of those business cards?
Here’s a product that was recently reviewed by Shannon Combs Bennett on the
In-Depth Genealogist.
Start now and get your business cards ready. I’ll see you at
NGS and I look forward to exchanging cards with you.
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