Have you seen my card?
Last year’s AdventureX was the first in-person convention I attended since Covid. It turned out to be a bigger deal than I expected. Even just getting on the tubes heading to Greenwich gave me anxiety. I didn’t seem to know what to expect from events IRL anymore. And when did we even start using the term IRL?!
I’m not going to lie, lockdown suited my introversion. When we slowly opened up again, events were carefully managed, usually in small groups, which was still ideal for my personality trait. However, it became obvious that though online events and communities thrived, it still wasn’t an ideal way to network more widely, more diversely. There is something about knowing that everyone at an event has the same interests as you, and that it is safe to say hi and connect, that just cannot be replicated digitally.
Unprepared, I spent the first hours at the convention like a deer in headlights. I walked aimlessly, while trying to get my head around the schedule, feeling overwhelmed. I was very relieved when I spotted some friends, and then more. And somehow, as soon as that happened, I felt more confident and comfortable to talk to strangers and make new connections too.
Exchanging contact details on that first day proved awkward though. I had expected that we would be using Twitter mostly (it was a popular platform for the games industry), but with the state of chaos that platform was in (and we needn’t go into details of why here… ahem) people were at a lost at what to do. That was until a new friend gave me her business card and I thought, hang on a minute… this is awesome. Also, I have some cool cards at home I can still use!
So, on the second day of the convention, I was prepared, armed with my favourite business cards that I had lovingly designed many years back using MOO.
Giving out the cards to friends and colleagues old and new brought back memories and experiences of networking in the past. I guess it was like riding a bicycle… I just needed the cards to get my momentum going again. I remembered how the cards never failed to be an ice-breaker, easily starting conversations with their unique shape and design. They didn’t let me down. I received plenty of compliments for them, filling me with a renewed sense of confidence.
At that moment, I recognised that in just a few years, the lack of networking and community events drove me away from my passion for my own brand, something that is very important for a freelancer. I used to match my card designs to my website, every change crafted intentionally. I was (and still am!) so proud and happy with past designs that when I retired them, I still kept them, making them into art pieces for the house.
Working on my brand had brought me joy and I miss it!
As the summer holidays approach, I find myself adding to my to-do list ‘design new cards’ and ‘update website.’
And I’m excited.
Btw, I like MOO’s design interface, which provides three options: using MOO templates, designing online, or uploading pre-made designs. I’ve used every option and found them straightforward. Though MOO aren’t the cheapest option available, they’re competitively priced for the quality of materials and print. And their wide range of stationery and accessories make branding fun.
Are you a freelancer and do you design your own website and branding too? Share your recommendations, tips, and links below!